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חבל על הזמן

Meaning: Amazing, fantastic — though it literally means 'a waste of time'.

Language: Hebrew

Literally: A pity on the time

Category: Daily Life

Origin: Originally a genuine 'don't bother', modern Israeli slang flipped it into high praise so strong it's beyond words.

More idioms — Daily Life

  • בא לי — I feel like it; I'm in the mood for it.
  • قربونت برم — An affectionate thank-you or term of endearment — 'you're so dear to me'.
  • زیر آب کسی را زدن — To secretly sabotage or betray someone behind their back.
  • Tong kosong nyaring bunyinya — Those who know the least often talk the most.
  • Besar pasak daripada tiang — To spend more than you earn.
  • Buah tangan — A souvenir or gift brought back for others from a trip.

More Hebrew idioms

  • על הפנים — Terrible, awful, in a wretched state.
  • לאכול סרטים — To overthink and imagine dramatic worst-case scenarios.
  • קופצים על המציאה — To seize a great opportunity at once.
  • מצא חן בעיניי — It pleased me; I liked it.
  • תפסת מרובה לא תפסת — Overreach for too much and you end up with nothing.
  • שבר את הראש — To rack your brains over something.

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