
IdiomNature
English
go through fire and water
Meaning: To face any danger or hardship for someone or something.
Example: “She would go through fire and water for her students.”
Origin: Fire and water are the two ordeals of medieval trial, and the pairing appears in the Psalms ("we went through fire and through water"). The phrase is old in English.
Equivalents in other languages
Russian: через огонь, воду и медные трубы (cherez ogon', vodu i mednye truby) Literally: Through fire, water, and copper pipes
More English idioms
- a closed book Something one knows nothing about, or someone impossible to understand.
- up to one's ears in debt Deeply in debt.
- hand on heart Said when swearing that something is completely true.
- you'll live Said to someone making a fuss over a small injury or setback.
- with an iron fist With harsh, absolute control.
- a trump card A decisive advantage kept in reserve.
Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words
Words that capture a feeling or idea English needs a whole sentence for.
- Takk for sist A greeting that thanks someone for the previous occasion you met, acknowledging shared hi…
- Orka To have the energy or will for something. Jag orkar inte carries the whole of 'I can't fa…
- Hinna To manage something inside the time available — not speed, but fitting the act in before…
Keep exploring