IdiomBody & Senses
Hungarian
HungarianFelkopik az álla
Meaning: To go hungry and be left with nothing.
Literally: His chin wears thin
Example: “Ha nem dolgozol, felkopik az állad.” — If you don't work, you'll have to tighten your belt.
English equivalent: To tighten one's belt
Origin: "His chin wears thin": with nothing to eat, the jaw has only itself to chew, and the chin wears away. The phrase means going hungry, getting nothing. It is colloquial Hungarian with no particular story behind it.
Equivalents in other languages
Russian: Положить зубы на полку (Polozhit' zuby na polku) Literally: To put your teeth on the shelf
French: Réduire la voilure Literally: To reduce the sail
English: tighten one's belt- French: Se serrer la ceinture Literally: To tighten one's belt
More Hungarian idioms
- Lóg az eső lába It looks like it's about to rain.
- Nem fenékig tejföl It's not all rosy; things aren't as good as they seem.
- Egyik kutya, másik eb Two things are exactly the same; six of one, half a dozen of the other.
- Bagoly mondja verébnek, hogy nagyfejű The pot calling the kettle black.
- Kibújik a szög a zsákból The hidden truth comes out.
- Sok lúd disznót győz There is strength in numbers.
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