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entre chien et loup

English translation: the gloaming / or fig. between a rock and a hard place

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:entre chien et loup
English translation:the gloaming / or fig. between a rock and a hard place
Entered by: :::::::::: (X)

17:02 Feb 2, 2010
French to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
French term or phrase: entre chien et loup
Here is a bit of context:

Entre chien et loup » (literally translated as « between dog and wolf ») is a multi-layered expression.

It is used to describe a specific time of day, just before night, when the light is so dim you can't distinguish a dog from a wolf. However, it's not all about levels of light. It also expresses that limit between the familiar, the comfortable versus the unknown and the dangerous (or between the domestic and the wild). It is an uncertain threshold between hope and fear.

So are there any ideas for a good translation of this expression in the context of living your life, pursuing your passion 'entre chien et loup'...

??????
Arusha Topazzini (X)
France
Local time: 18:00
the gloaming / or fig. between a rock and a hard place
Explanation:
cf. Those Happy Chappies Radiohead ;

The gloaming! That's what it is! Fantastic! Now I understand Radiohead's song a lot better:

Genie let out the bottle
It is now the witching hour

Murderers you're murderers
We are not the same as you

Funny haha funny how
When the walls bend
With your breathing

They will suck you down
To the otherside

To the shadows blue & red
Your alarms bells

Should be ringing

This is the gloaming
Selected response from:

:::::::::: (X)
Iraq
Local time: 18:00
Grading comment
thank you for this beautiful word, Dr D Jones,...and to everyone else for their suggestions...
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +5the gloaming / or fig. between a rock and a hard place
:::::::::: (X)
3 +3the twilight zone
Carol Gullidge
4at dusk
marilors
3 +1Twilight
Mary Moritz
4with a foot in both worlds
Atelier de Mots
3on the edge
Sandra Petch


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
on the edge


Explanation:
In your context I think a common expression is "living life on the edge."



Sandra Petch
Local time: 18:00
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 16
Notes to answerer
Asker: thank you!

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12 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +5
the gloaming / or fig. between a rock and a hard place


Explanation:
cf. Those Happy Chappies Radiohead ;

The gloaming! That's what it is! Fantastic! Now I understand Radiohead's song a lot better:

Genie let out the bottle
It is now the witching hour

Murderers you're murderers
We are not the same as you

Funny haha funny how
When the walls bend
With your breathing

They will suck you down
To the otherside

To the shadows blue & red
Your alarms bells

Should be ringing

This is the gloaming

:::::::::: (X)
Iraq
Local time: 18:00
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
thank you for this beautiful word, Dr D Jones,...and to everyone else for their suggestions...
Notes to answerer
Asker: a beautiful word... thanks!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Cecile Vidic (X)
14 mins
  -> MERCI !
agree  Stephanie Ezrol: gloaming is good. Its older tone gives it an eeriness
19 mins
  -> MERCI !
agree  Evans (X): It's the very word I mentioned in the discussion of the earlier Kudoz question today, inappropriate as an answer there for being too poetic, but I mentioned it because I like it. Glad it's found a home.
21 mins
  -> MERCI !
agree  Chris Hall
8 hrs
  -> MERCI !
agree  Yolanda Broad
23 hrs
  -> MERCI !
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17 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
the twilight zone


Explanation:
probably captures many of your specifications... groping in semi-darkness, not quite in the comfort zone, perception of danger...

Carol Gullidge
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:00
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 47
Notes to answerer
Asker: thank you!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  John Detre: very clever, covers everything! // yes, exactly, in the twilight zone
7 hrs
  -> many thanks John! I wonder if it should in fact read "In the twilight zone"
agree  Sandra Petch
15 hrs
  -> many thanks Sandra!
agree  Sandra Mouton
23 hrs
  -> many thanks Sandra!
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35 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
at dusk


Explanation:
entre chien et loup = au crépuscule


    Reference: http://www.saberfrances.com.ar/expressions/dog.html
marilors
Spain
Local time: 18:00
Native speaker of: Native in RomanianRomanian, Native in MoldavianMoldavian
Notes to answerer
Asker: thank you!

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43 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Twilight


Explanation:
From Mirriam-Webster:

2 a : an intermediate state that is not clearly defined <lived in the twilight of neutrality — Newsweek>


    Reference: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/twilight
Mary Moritz
Local time: 18:00
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: thank you!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  noirelune
1 hr
  -> Thanks, noirelune.
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
with a foot in both worlds


Explanation:
In the requested context, the translation needs to express some uncertainty in both daylight and nightfall. One could also say, "roaming in both words" to capture the nuance of animal instinct, passion, and the urge to explore, with or without light.

Atelier de Mots
Local time: 18:00
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: thank you, 'roaming in both worlds or between worlds' could be an option...

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