Drop down to nothing - Tradução em português
- Sally Tilelli
- Localização: São Paulo, Brasil
- Membro desde: 30 Nov 2018, 09:38
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I watched a very interesting Ted Talk by this African boy, who, at one point, said: "Only three swallows of nsima (corn or cassava porridge) for each one of us. The food passes through our bodies. We drop down to nothing." In this last part, what is the meaning of "drop down to nothing"? Thank you for your help.
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- Mimi1
- Membro desde: 24 Out 2020, 13:05
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It means they lost weight.
It does not mean they fainted (não desmaiar).
In English sometimes we say dropped when a person loses a lot of weight.
For example:
“After she got anorexia her weight dropped to nothing” (expressive language. Of course her weight did not drop to zero!).
“My weight really dropped after I got cancer and lost my appetite”
Etc.
It does not mean they fainted (não desmaiar).
In English sometimes we say dropped when a person loses a lot of weight.
For example:
“After she got anorexia her weight dropped to nothing” (expressive language. Of course her weight did not drop to zero!).
“My weight really dropped after I got cancer and lost my appetite”
Etc.
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- Redseahorse
- Localização: Brazil
- Membro desde: 26 Jan 2015, 12:13
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Entendo a frase como: "caíamos do nada", ou seja "desmaiavamos de fome".
- PPAULO
- Localização: Rio de Janeiro-Brazil
- Membro desde: 21 Fev 2013, 23:49
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Thank you Mimi, I love to learn a new expression (or a new sense of one), and the language never ceases to amaze me! 
Thanks for pointing this one to us.
I noticed that it can also be used in a metaphorical way, with the meaning of "dwindle/decrease":
"President Trump told reporters that, “With a different president, your 401(k)s will drop down to nothing.” For what it’s worth, analysts have rated the market response to a potential Biden win in both a positive and negative light.
With the new tubes in there it doesn't make the noise, but when I air them up with a bicycle pump to about 25-30 psi, I can watch the pressure drop down to nothing in less than a minute.
About the CX-500 bike, of Honda problem with air in the tyres going out.
I saw the expression used referring to hybrid/electric cars efficiency, motor efficiency problems "rpm dropped down to nothing" description. And it was the main cause of the Mark Winterbottom leaving Tickford (a racing team)
Winning margins dropped down to nothing.
How come we didn't meet before? I and this expression!
Thanks for pointing this one to us.
I noticed that it can also be used in a metaphorical way, with the meaning of "dwindle/decrease":
"President Trump told reporters that, “With a different president, your 401(k)s will drop down to nothing.” For what it’s worth, analysts have rated the market response to a potential Biden win in both a positive and negative light.
With the new tubes in there it doesn't make the noise, but when I air them up with a bicycle pump to about 25-30 psi, I can watch the pressure drop down to nothing in less than a minute.
About the CX-500 bike, of Honda problem with air in the tyres going out.
I saw the expression used referring to hybrid/electric cars efficiency, motor efficiency problems "rpm dropped down to nothing" description. And it was the main cause of the Mark Winterbottom leaving Tickford (a racing team)
Winning margins dropped down to nothing.
How come we didn't meet before? I and this expression!
- PPAULO
- Localização: Rio de Janeiro-Brazil
- Membro desde: 21 Fev 2013, 23:49
- Perfil · 80.9k Pontos · 16k Mensagens
"Dropped down to nothing", there problably is "desmaiávamos por nada." ('sem aparente razão', só que não, era por fome/ facilmente). Because the food was almost non-existent and with poor dietary quality (low nutritional value).
Three swallows of porridge - talvez o equivalente à três goles de papa, ou três colheres, enfim três pequenas porções. Swallows seria as porções "engolidas", como 'swallow" é o verbo "engolir", foi usado no sentido figurado.
Three swallows of porridge - talvez o equivalente à três goles de papa, ou três colheres, enfim três pequenas porções. Swallows seria as porções "engolidas", como 'swallow" é o verbo "engolir", foi usado no sentido figurado.
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