IdiomDaily Life
Hebrew
Hebrewקופצים על המציאה (Kofsim al hamtsi'a)
Meaning: To seize a great opportunity at once.
Literally: To jump on the bargain
Example: “כשהציעו לו עבודה בחו"ל, הוא קפץ על המציאה.” — When they offered him a job abroad, he jumped at the chance.
English equivalent: To jump at the chance
Equivalents in other languages
Thai: น้ำขึ้นให้รีบตัก Literally: When the water rises, hurry to scoop it
Spanish: cazar al vuelo Literally: To hunt in flight
English: jump at the chance
Origin: Metsi'a is a find, a bargain. Jumping on the bargain is grabbing a good opportunity before it is gone. The phrase is everyday modern Hebrew, often said as advice or a sales pitch, and has no particular story behind it.
More Hebrew idioms
- שבר את הראש (shavar et harosh) To rack your brains over something.
- יצא מכליו (Yatsa miklav) To lose your temper; to be beside yourself.
- חבל על הזמן (Ḥaval ʿal ha-zman) Amazing, fantastic — though it literally means 'a waste of time'.
- על הפנים (al hapanim) Terrible, awful, in a wretched state.
- לאכול סרטים (Le'ekhol sratim) To overthink and imagine dramatic worst-case scenarios.
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