the judgment of Solomon
Meaning: A wise decision that cleverly settles a difficult dispute.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “The teacher's judgment of Solomon settled the fight over the last cookie.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: From the First Book of Kings: two women claimed the same baby, and King Solomon ordered it cut in half; the true mother gave up her claim to save the child, revealing herself.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Un jugement de Salomon — literally: A judgment of Solomon
More idioms — Daily Life
- six of one, half a dozen of the other — Two options are essentially the same.
- to the letter — Exactly and precisely, following every detail.
- get the boot — To be dismissed from a job or thrown out.
- don't wash your dirty linen in public — Keep private problems and quarrels private.
- not the sharpest tool in the shed — Not very intelligent.
- since time immemorial — For longer than anyone can remember.
More English idioms
- a dab hand — Someone very skilled at something.
- can't see the forest for the trees — Too focused on details to understand the whole situation.
- the honeymoon period — The early, happy stage of a new relationship or arrangement, before problems appear.
- 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).
From our compliments & insults
- Tu as le vent en poupe — Everything is going your way — you're riding a wave of momentum and success.
- Tu es un as — You're brilliant at what you do — the very best.
- Tu as de la répartie — You're brilliantly quick-witted — always ready with the perfect comeback.