Se tanto mi da tanto

English translation: if that's the way it is

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Italian term or phrase:Se tanto mi da tanto
English translation:if that's the way it is
Entered by: Matthew Furfine

10:46 Nov 10, 2010
Italian to English translations [PRO]
Slang
Italian term or phrase: Se tanto mi da tanto
No particular context, just need an English equivalent, if there is one
deirdre1957
Local time: 10:36
if that's the way it is
Explanation:
with a little more context, it would be easier to choose the right translation. the concept, as I understand it, is 'If there is a known proportion x:y, (se x da' y), then x' dara' y''. Se tanto mi da' tanto, figuriamo chi metterano a fare il Direttore Artistico. If they have chosen such a bad superintendent, just imagine who will be named Artistic Director.
Selected response from:

Matthew Furfine
United States
Local time: 05:36
Grading comment
Thank you everyone. AsI suspected, there is no one pat idiomatic English equivalent. The example you gave for context is very similar to the context it was used in. Thanks!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1if that's the way it is
Matthew Furfine
3as things are going // as matters stand
Katia DG
3rule of thumb
potra
Summary of reference entries provided
Hits in online dictionaries and on wordreference
Josh Goldsmith

  

Answers


8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
as things are going // as matters stand


Explanation:
due possibilità

Katia DG
Italy
Local time: 10:36
Native speaker of: Native in ItalianItalian, Native in GermanGerman
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24 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
if that's the way it is


Explanation:
with a little more context, it would be easier to choose the right translation. the concept, as I understand it, is 'If there is a known proportion x:y, (se x da' y), then x' dara' y''. Se tanto mi da' tanto, figuriamo chi metterano a fare il Direttore Artistico. If they have chosen such a bad superintendent, just imagine who will be named Artistic Director.

Matthew Furfine
United States
Local time: 05:36
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thank you everyone. AsI suspected, there is no one pat idiomatic English equivalent. The example you gave for context is very similar to the context it was used in. Thanks!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Sara Bollati: agree with Matthew - depends on context.
13 hrs
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1 day 45 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
rule of thumb


Explanation:
It could work, but context is always necessary

potra
United States
Local time: 05:36
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in ItalianItalian, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
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Reference comments


7 mins
Reference: Hits in online dictionaries and on wordreference

Reference information:
Try some of these links:

http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=729622
http://dictionary.reverso.net/italian-english/tanto
http://www.wordreference.com/iten/tanto

Josh Goldsmith
Switzerland
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
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