mark my words

Meaning: Remember what I am telling you; it will turn out to be true.

Example: “Mark my words: that bridge will be closed by winter.”

Origin: "Mark" here means to take note of, an older sense of the word. The phrase appears in English Bible translations and is common from the 16th century.

Equivalents in other languages

Russian: Зарубить на носу (Zarubit' na nosu) Literally: To notch it on your nose
Dutch: iets in je oren knopen Literally: To knot something into your ears

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More English idioms

lead someone up the garden path To deceive someone, keeping them hopeful along the way.
packed like sardines Crowded very tightly together.
let the grass grow under one's feet To waste time and miss opportunities.
go through fire and water To face any danger or hardship for someone or something.
up to one's ears in debt Deeply in debt.
hand on heart Said when swearing that something is completely true.

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Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

Bekommen Actually means 'to receive' or 'to get'. To become is werden.
Déception Actually means 'disappointment'. For deception (a trick), say tromperie.
Disgusto Actually means 'displeasure', 'upset', or 'trouble'. For disgust (revulsion), say asco.

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Equivalents in other languages

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Explore another collection: False Friends