Sep 2, 2015 18:04
8 yrs ago
3 viewers *
English term
21 books translated
Native in: Russian 
Works in: English to Russian, Russian to English, Spanish to Russian, and 1 more.
on whose terms
English
Other
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Hello everyone,
The doctor's saying I'm gonna die and what's the great question of you gotta face and everybody in this world has to face is ***on whose terms***? My life, before any of this happened, was hectic. I was doing 12 to 16 hours a day, and happy to do it. I was all over the country.
Well, I, for example, understand the phrase "capitulate on the enemy's terms", i.e. capitulate accepting the enemy's terms.
But what does "on whose terms" imply in this particular context? Does he mean the question is: do you simply accept that you're gonna die or are you going to fight for your life?
Thank you.
The doctor's saying I'm gonna die and what's the great question of you gotta face and everybody in this world has to face is ***on whose terms***? My life, before any of this happened, was hectic. I was doing 12 to 16 hours a day, and happy to do it. I was all over the country.
Well, I, for example, understand the phrase "capitulate on the enemy's terms", i.e. capitulate accepting the enemy's terms.
But what does "on whose terms" imply in this particular context? Does he mean the question is: do you simply accept that you're gonna die or are you going to fight for your life?
Thank you.
Responses
+5
1 hr
Yvonne Gallagher
Ireland
Ireland
Native in English
&
English
Specializes in field
Ireland
right word, right place. everytime
Native in: English (Variants: US, Canadian, Irish, UK) 
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English, English, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
659
Selected
on my own terms or the doctor's?
basically what he's saying is
Will I just surrender/give up because the doctor says I'm dying ("his terms" or perhaps plural doctors so "their terms") or do I decide to fight to the last and try to stay alive as long as possible so I die on MY terms
BTW the English isn't that messy, it's understandable probably just problems with tapescript
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Note added at 3 hrs (2015-09-02 21:20:09 GMT)
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the doctor's terms usually include medical interventions like Chemo etc as Roman says. But on "my terms" might also mean he'll take some treatment...but as much or little as he decides himself.
Some people just crumble and give up when they're told they're dying while others manage either to outwit the medical profession or at least die in the way they wish
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Note added at 1 day5 hrs (2015-09-03 23:09:27 GMT) Post-grading
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glad to have helped
Will I just surrender/give up because the doctor says I'm dying ("his terms" or perhaps plural doctors so "their terms") or do I decide to fight to the last and try to stay alive as long as possible so I die on MY terms
BTW the English isn't that messy, it's understandable probably just problems with tapescript
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2015-09-02 21:20:09 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
the doctor's terms usually include medical interventions like Chemo etc as Roman says. But on "my terms" might also mean he'll take some treatment...but as much or little as he decides himself.
Some people just crumble and give up when they're told they're dying while others manage either to outwit the medical profession or at least die in the way they wish
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day5 hrs (2015-09-03 23:09:27 GMT) Post-grading
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glad to have helped
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
David Knowles
18 mins
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Many thanks:-)
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| agree |
Sheri P
: Agree, and I think this is how klp initially read it, as well.
1 hr
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Many thanks:-) yes, just noticed that. (Still working away here to meet a.m. deadline!)
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| agree |
Edith Kelly
9 hrs
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Many thanks:-)
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| agree |
Roman Bardachev
14 hrs
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Many thanks Roman:-)
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| agree |
AllegroTrans
: or even someone else's? (the boss, the wife, fate...)
15 hrs
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Thanks:-) Yes indeed, though only 2 parties mentioned here. In the long run your time comes when it comes anyway!
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Many thanks to everyone.
Thank you, Gallagy."
3 mins
according to whose scheme/rules/order
It looks like the question is - what's the system by which you're judged, what will you have to go through, to whom do you answer for everything after you die?
15 mins
claude-andrew
France
France
Native in English
&
English
Works in field
France
Bilingual scientist English French
Native in: English
Works in: English to French, French to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
24
from whose point of view
Untangling the messy English, I think it means "I've got to face the fact that I'm going to die, but should I do this in a self-centered way, or in a way that takes into account those around me?"
Discussion
The doctor says I'm gonna die right now. Do I accept that (the doctor's terms), or do I reject what the doctor says, fight for my life, and die when I'm damn well ready (my own terms). He goes on to talk about how busy and productive he has been up this point. He's telling us he's an active, take-charge kind of guy, the kind of guy who will decide for himself when he's ready to give up and kick the bucket.
I can see where the other interpretations are coming from, though.