IdiomAnimals
Spanish
SpanishSale más caro el collar que el perro
Meaning: The extras or upkeep end up costing more than the thing itself, so it isn't worth it.
Literally: The collar costs more than the dog
Example: “Compré una impresora barata, pero los cartuchos cuestan una fortuna: sale más caro el collar que el perro.” — I bought a cheap printer, but the cartridges cost a fortune. The extras cost more than the thing itself.
English equivalent: The game is not worth the candle
Equivalents in other languages
French: Le jeu n'en vaut pas la chandelle Literally: The game is not worth the candle
English: the game is not worth the candle
Italian: Il gioco non vale la candela Literally: The game isn't worth the candle
Japanese: 労多くして功少なし (Rō ōkushite kō sukunashi) Literally: Much toil, little merit
Dutch: Het sop is de kool niet waard Literally: The broth isn't worth the cabbage
Polish: Gra niewarta świeczki Literally: The game isn't worth the candle
Russian: Игра не стоит свеч (Igra ne stoit svech) Literally: The game isn't worth the candles
Chinese: 得不偿失 (Dé bù cháng shī) Literally: The gain doesn't make up for the loss
Origin: A colloquial Spanish expression, also said as es más caro el collar que el perro. The picture is plain: the dog was cheap, but its collar cost more. No first use is documented.
More Spanish idioms
- Estar en la edad del pavo To be at an awkward teenage phase.
- Tener mala leche To be in a foul mood or have bad intentions.
- No tener pelos en la lengua To speak very bluntly and honestly.
- Ser pan comido To be extremely easy.
- Dar calabazas To reject someone romantically.
- Estar como una cabra To be completely crazy.
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