play hooky
Meaning: To skip school or work without permission.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “We played hooky and spent the day at the beach.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: American English from the mid-19th century. "Hooky" may come from "hook it" (to run away), or from a Dutch word for hide-and-seek, but the origin is uncertain.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Faire l'école buissonnière — literally: To do the bush school
More idioms — Daily Life
- sing someone's praises — To praise someone enthusiastically.
- grasp all, lose all — If you try to get too much, you may end up with nothing.
- the power behind the throne — Someone with no official title who secretly controls a leader.
- born in a trunk — Raised in a family of traveling performers and in the business from childhood.
- the road to hell is paved with good intentions — Good intentions are worthless, or even harmful, if they lead to bad actions.
- against all odds — Despite great difficulty or opposition.
More English idioms
- fall into someone's lap — To come to someone without any effort.
- cold hard cash — Actual money in coins and bills, not credit or promises.
- cherchez la femme — There is probably a woman behind this situation.
- throw money down the drain — To waste money.
- fire in the belly — Strong ambition and drive.
- all fired up — Very excited or enthusiastic.
From our compliments & insults
- Peau de vache — A mean, difficult, and unpleasant person — tough and unyielding like tanned hide.
- Eres un aguafiestas — You're a killjoy — you pour cold water on everyone's fun the moment you arrive.
- ¡Qué cara más dura! — You've got incredible nerve and cheek — the audacity is almost impressive.