IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishsix of one, half a dozen of the other
Meaning: Two options are essentially the same.
Example: “Train or bus? It's six of one, half a dozen of the other.”
Origin: Six and half a dozen are the same number. The saying is found from the early 19th century; Captain Marryat used it in 1836.
Equivalents in other languages
Chinese: 半斤八两 (bàn jīn bā liǎng) Literally: Half a jin, eight liang
Hungarian: Egyik kutya, másik eb Literally: One is a dog, the other is a hound
German: gehüpft wie gesprungen Literally: Hopped as jumped
French: C'est kif-kif Literally: It's kif-kif
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- for donkey's years For a very long time.
- cry one's eyes out To cry very hard and for a long time.
- make sheep's eyes at To look at someone in a lovesick, foolish way (dated).
- a rare bird An unusual person or thing.
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Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.
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