be a doormat
Meaning: To let others treat one badly without protest.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Stop being a doormat and tell them you won't work weekends.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: A doormat is something people wipe their feet on. The figurative use is found from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Se laisser tondre la laine sur le dos — literally: To let oneself be shorn of the wool on one's back
More idioms — Daily Life
- thick as thieves — Very close friends who share secrets.
- a whole different ball game — A completely different situation.
- not mince one's words — To speak frankly, even bluntly.
- thick and fast — Rapidly and in large numbers.
- one thing led to another — A series of events happened, each causing the next, often with a hint that something emba…
- the end justifies the means — A good result excuses any way of achieving it.
More English idioms
- separate the wheat from the chaff — To distinguish what is valuable from what is worthless.
- elbow grease — Hard physical work, especially scrubbing or polishing.
- have a heavy heart — To feel sad or burdened.
- in one's heart of hearts — In one's deepest private feelings.
- promise the moon — To promise something impossible to deliver.
- Indian summer — A period of warm weather in autumn; also a late, happy period in life.
From our compliments & insults
- És uma joia — You're a gem — a precious, lovely person.
- Sei un salame — You're a clumsy, dopey softie — said with a smile.
- Eres más corto que las mangas de un chaleco — You're not the sharpest — a bit slow on the uptake.