a pretty hard time

A n. [uc]

1 tempo; epoca; periodo; durata; (mus.) tempo, misura; circostanza: I've just time to give her a ring, ho appena il tempo di darle un colpo di telefono; It took me a long time to go there on foot, mi ci volle molto tempo per andarci a piedi; DIALOGO → - Ordering food 4- They're taking a long time to bring us our food, stanno impiegando molto tempo per portarci da mangiare; in Cromwell's time, al tempo di Cromwell; in the time of Elizabeth I, all'epoca di Elisabetta I; waltz time, tempo di valzer; We must move with the times, dobbiamo essere sempre al passo con i tempi; modern times, tempi moderni; troubled (o hard) times, tempi difficili; (mus.) to beat time, battere il tempo; a time of sorrow, una circostanza dolorosa; free time, tempo libero; a rough time, un periodo duro; to occupy one's time, impiegare il proprio tempo; to spend one's time doing st., spendere il proprio tempo facendo qc.; to waste one's time, sciupare il tempo; perdere tempo NOTA D'USO: - a lot of years o a long time?-

2 ora; momento: DIALOGO → - Going for an interview- What time is it now? (o What's the time?), che ore sono (adesso)?; che ora è?; Do you have the time?, (Lei) ha l'ora?; che ore sono?; It's dinner time, è l'ora di cena; At what time?, a che ora?; DIALOGO → - On the Tube- What time's the last train to Upminster?, a che ora è l'ultimo treno per Upminster?; DIALOGO → - Television- What time does it start?, a che ora comincia?; DIALOGO → - Asking about routine 2- What time do you start work?, a che ora cominci a lavorare?; Time is up!, è ora! (di consegnare il compito, ecc.); tempo scaduto!; It's time to go, è ora d'andare; The time had come to set out, era giunta l'ora della partenza; Now is the time to act, questo è il momento di agire; There's no time like the present, questo è il momento giusto; local time, ora locale; peak time, orario di maggiore ascolto; prima serata; to tell the time, dire l'ora ( guardando l'orologio), leggere le ore; an inconvenient time, un'ora scomoda

3 volta: this time, questa volta; next time, la prossima volta; every time, ogni volta; tutte le volte; another time, un'altra volta; the time before last, la penultima volta; three [four] times, tre [quattro] volte; many times, molte volte; spesso; umpteen times, un sacco di volte; DIALOGO → - Discussing books 2- There are times when I don't read a book for months, ci sono volte in cui non leggo un libro per mesi

4 (trasp.) orario: the times of the trains to Oxford, gli orari dei treni per Oxford; on time, puntualmente; puntuale; in orario

5 (econ.) paga; retribuzione: half time, mezza paga; double time, paga doppia

6 (telef.) numero delle unità ( di conversazione)

7 (comput.) tempo: real time, tempo reale; (avv.) immediatamente; real time processing, elaborazione in tempo reale

8 ( sport) tempo: in record time, a tempo di record

9 ( calcio, ecc.) tempo di gioco; tempo che resta da giocare; ( anche) lo scadere del tempo: The third goal was scored (at) five minutes from time, il terzo gol è stato segnato cinque minuti prima dello scadere del tempo; stoppage time, recupero; minuti di recupero

10 ( calcio, ecc.) sospensione del gioco; ► timeout, def. 1: ( dell'arbitro) to call time, comandare la sospensione (o la fine) del gioco

11 ( basket, football americano) tempo cronometrato ( in una data fase del gioco)

12 (pl.) (mat.) per: Three times four gives (o makes, equals) twelve, tre per quattro fa dodici

B a. attr.

1 tempestivo; (fatto) in tempo: ( scherma) time thrust, uscita in tempo

2 di tempo: time allowance, abbuono di tempo

● ( banca, USA) time account, conto di deposito □ time after time, più volte; tante volte; ripetutamente □ time and again, spessissimo; assai di frequente □ time and a half, paga per lavoro straordinario □ (cronot.) time and motion study, studio dei tempi e dei movimenti □ (leg.) time bar, termine di decadenza (o di prescrizione) □ (fin., Borsa) time bargain, operazione a termine □ (leg.) time-barred, prescritto per decadenza dei termini □ (fin.) time bill, cambiale a tempo; ( USA) orario ( ferroviario, ecc.) □ time bomb, bomba a tempo (o a orologeria); (fig.) situazione esplosiva □ ( ciclismo, equit.) time bonus, abbuono di tempo □ time book, registro delle presenze (o delle ore di lavoro) □ (pubbl.) time buying, acquisto di tempo ( alla radio o alla TV) □ time capsule, contenitore ( pieno di oggetti, ecc. attuali) per le generazioni future ( viene sepolto in terra) □ time card, scheda di presenza □ (naut.) time charter ( party), (contratto di) noleggio a tempo □ (gramm.) time clause, proposizione temporale □ time clerk, controllore delle ore di lavoro □ time clock, orologio marcatempo; ( anche) timer □ time-consuming, che richiede molto tempo □ (tecn.) time control, comando a tempo □ ( banca) time deposit, deposito a termine (o vincolato): time-deposit book, libretto vincolato □ time draft, tratta a tempo □ (fotogr.) time exposure, posa, tempo di posa □ (form.) time frame, arco di tempo; tempi di attuazione □ (naut.) time freight, nolo a tempo □ (mil.) time-fuse, spoletta a tempo □ ( sport) time gap, distacco, ritardo ( nelle corse) □ time-honoured, venerato per la sua antichità; venerando □ ( basket) time-in, inizio (o ripresa) del tempo di gioco □ time lag, intervallo di tempo; (fis.) ritardo; (econ.) scarto (o sfasamento) temporale □ (cinem., fotogr.) time lapse, time lapse (tecnica di montaggio in un filmato di fotogrammi scattati a intervalli di tempo lunghi) □ (cinem., fotogr.) time-lapse (attr.), in time lapse; time lapse □ time limit, (leg.) termine ultimo; ( sport: nelle corse) tempo massimo □ (fin.) time loan, prestito a tempo □ ( fantascienza) time machine, macchina del tempo □ the time of day, l'ora ( segnata dall'orologio); l'ora del giorno □ (fam.) the time of one's life, un periodo molto bello □ time of payment, termine di pagamento; scadenza ( di una cambiale, ecc.) □ ( sport) time of play, tempo di gioco; durata di una partita □ time off, tempo libero (o di vacanza); (giorni, ecc. di) congedo, permesso: I'll take some time off, mi prenderò un po' di congedo □ ( di lavoratore) time off in lieu, riposo compensativo □ time out, tempo libero; pausa; riposo; periodo di vacanza: to take time out, prendersi un po' di vacanza; fare una pausa ( nel lavoro, nello studio, ecc.) □ (fam. USA) Time out!, aspetta, aspettate!; un momento!; un attimo! □ time payment, (econ.) retribuzione a tempo; (market.) pagamento dilazionato (o rateale) □ (ass., naut.) time policy, polizza a tempo □ (cronot.) time recorder, tempista; ( anche) orologio marcatempo □ (farm.) time-release drug (o capsule), medicina (o capsula) a lento rilascio; farmaco (o capsula) retard □ (geol.) time scale, cronologia □ (demogr., stat.) time series, serie temporale (o storica) □ (stat.) time-series chart, istogramma; diagramma a colonne □ time-server, opportunista; conformista □ time-serving, (agg.) opportunistico, conformistico; (sost.) opportunismo, conformismo □ (org. az.) time sheet, foglio di presenza □ (mat.) times sign, segno di moltiplicazione □ ( radio, TV) time signal, segnale orario □ (comput.) time stamp, indicatore data e ora □ time study, cronotecnica □ time-study engineer, cronotecnico □ (tecn.) time switch, interruttore a tempo □ time taker = time recorder ► sopra □ time taking, rilevazione dei tempi □ time-tested, sperimentato; che il tempo ha dimostrato valido □ time ticket, cartellino di presenza □ ( sport: nelle corse) the time to beat, il tempo da battere (o da migliorare) □ (autom., ciclismo) time trial, corsa a cronometro; corsa contro il tempo; cronometro (sost. f.) □ time-trial specialist, cronoman □ time warp, ( fantascienza) curvatura (o distorsione) del tempo; (fig.) confusione tra passato e presente, o tra presente e futuro: to be caught (o stuck) in a time warp, essere rimasto fermo nel tempo □ time waster, q. o qc. che fa perdere tempo; perditempo; perdita di tempo □ time-wasting, che fa perdere tempo □ (econ.) time wages, salario a tempo □ times without number, innumerevoli volte; spessissimo □ (econ.) time-work, lavoro retribuito a ore; lavoro in economia □ (econ.) time-worker, operaio retribuito a ore □ (geogr.) time zone, fuso orario □ time and time again, più e più volte; non so più quante volte □ ahead of time, anzitempo; prima del tempo; di buonora □ to be ahead of (o to be born before) one's time, essere in anticipo sui tempi; essere un precursore □ all the time, per tutto il tempo, sempre, di continuo: I've known it all the time, l'ho sempre saputo □ as times go, dati i tempi; considerando come va il mondo □ at a time, alla volta: One thing at a time, una cosa alla volta □ ( sport) at full time, a tempo scaduto □ at times, a volte; talvolta; talora □ at all times, sempre; immancabilmente □ at the time, quando: At the time they arrived, I was away, quando sono arrivati, io non c'ero □ at my time of life, alla mia età □ at no time, in nessun tempo; in nessuna circostanza; giammai □ at one time, una volta; un tempo: At one time I used to swim a lot, una volta facevo molto nuoto □ at the present time, al presente; ora; adesso □ at the same time, nello stesso tempo; contemporaneamente, insieme; a un tempo, nondimeno, tuttavia: She was smiling and sobbing at the same time, sorrideva e singhiozzava nello stesso tempo □ (fig.) at this time of day, a questo punto ( delle trattative, ecc.); in questo momento ( della storia); troppo tardi □ behind the times, antiquato; vecchio □ behind time, tardi; in ritardo: We are behind time with our deliveries, siamo in ritardo con le consegne □ to die before one's time, morire anzitempo; fare una morte prematura □ (fam.) to do time, scontare una pena detentiva; essere in galera □ ( sport: calcio, ecc.) extra time, tempo supplementare □ for the time being, per il momento □ (lett.) from time immemorial ( from time out of mind), dal tempo dei tempi; da moltissimo tempo; da secoli □ from time to time, di quando in quando; ogni tanto □ from that time on, da allora in poi □ to gain time, guadagnar tempo; ( dell'orologio) andare avanti □ to give sb. a pretty hard time, far passare un brutto quarto d'ora a q. □ to grow old before one's time, invecchiare anzitempo (o troppo presto) □ ( sport) half time, metà tempo ( della partita): at half time, a metà tempo; nell'intervallo □ to have a bad time, passarsela male □ (fam.) to have an easy time, passarsela bene; star bene economicamente □ to have a good time (o the time of one's life), divertirsi un mondo; spassarsela □ to have no time for, non aver tempo per (qc.); non aver tempo da perdere con (q.) □ in time, in tempo, in tempo utile; col tempo, con l'andar del tempo, a poco a poco; DIALOGO → - Discussing football- I didn't get home in time and only caught the second half on TV, non sono tornato a casa in tempo e ho beccato solo il secondo tempo alla TV □ (mus.) to be in time, andare a tempo □ in time to come, per l'avvenire; in futuro □ in the course of time, col tempo; con l'andar del tempo; con il passare degli anni □ in double-quick time, in un baleno; in un batter d'occhio □ in due time, a tempo debito □ in good time, al momento opportuno; in tempo ( per un appuntamento, uno spettacolo e sim.) □ in one's own time, a tempo perso □ (fam.) in one's own good time, con comodo; prendendosela comoda □ in its proper time and place, a tempo e luogo □ in a month's time, fra un mese □ in no time ( at all), in un attimo; in un baleno; in un batter d'occhio □ in one's spare time, nelle ore libere; nei ritagli di tempo □ (mus.) to keep time, andare a tempo; tenere il tempo □ ( d'un orologio) to keep good [bad] time, segnare l'ora esatta [non andare bene] □ to kill time, ammazzare il tempo □ to be a long time, essere molto tempo; ( anche) metterci molto tempo (a fare qc.) □ to lose time, perdere tempo; ( dell'orologio) restare indietro NOTA D'USO: - to lose time o to waste time?- □ to lose ( all) count of time, perdere la nozione del tempo □ to make time, recuperare il tempo; ( di treno) recuperare □ to make good time, tenere una buona andatura; andare di buon passo □ (mil.) to march in time, marciare a tempo □ to march with the times, tenersi al passo con i tempi □ ( di donna) to be near one's time, essere prossima al parto □ once upon a time, una volta; al tempo dei tempi: Once upon a time there was a king, c'era una volta un re □ (mus.) to be out of time, non andare a tempo; essere fuori tempo □ to pass the time of day with sb., scambiare qualche parola di saluto con q.; intrattenersi (a conversare) con q. □ to play for time, cercare di guadagnare tempo; ( sport) fare melina □ ( radio, TV, ecc.) to be running out of time, essere in ritardo sul programma stabilito □ to serve one's time, ( di condannato) scontare la pena; ( di apprendista) prestare servizio □ to be some time, essere un po' di tempo; ( anche) metterci del tempo (a fare qc.) □ to take one's time, prendersela comoda: DIALOGO → - Asking about a journey- You took your time!, te la sei presa comoda! □ to take time off for no reason, fare delle assenze ingiustificate ( dal lavoro, ecc.) □ to tell the time, ( dell'orologio) segnare il tempo; ( di una persona) dire l'ora, leggere l'orologio □ this time last year, l'anno scorso a questa epoca □ this time next week, oggi a otto □ till the end of time, sino alla fine dei tempi; in eterno □ up to the present time, finora □ to work against time, lavorare coi minuti contati, con l'acqua alla gola; combattere contro il tempo □ (fam.) It will take me ( you, etc.) all my ( your, etc.) time to do that, c'è da lavorare ventiquattro ore su ventiquattro per farlo □ It's ( about) time I was going, sarebbe ora che me ne andassi □ My time is drawing near (o I am near my time; my time is almost over), ormai non mi resta molto da vivere □ (prov.) There's a time for everything, ogni cosa a suo tempo □ (prov.) Time is money, il tempo è denaro.

v. t. e i.

1 fare (qc. ) al momento buono (o a proposito); scegliere (o cogliere) il momento opportuno per (qc.); calcolare, disporre, progettare ( con riguardo al tempo): We timed our trip to arrive before noon, abbiamo predisposto (abbiamo organizzato) il nostro viaggio in modo d'arrivare prima di mezzogiorno

2 fissare l'orario di: The arrival of the President was timed for 10 o'clock, l'arrivo del Presidente era fissato per le dieci

3 regolare il ritmo (o la velocità) di; ritmare; rimettere ( un orologio); sincronizzare: The girl timed her steps to the music, la ragazza regolava il ritmo del passo sulla musica; He timed the speed of the two toy trains, ha sincronizzato la velocità dei due trenini; Time your watch with mine, regola (rimetti) il tuo orologio col mio!

4 calcolare, misurare il tempo di; cronometrare: The winner was timed at 4′ 6′′, il primo arrivato è stato cronometrato a quattro minuti e sei secondi

5 (ind.) determinare i tempi ( di lavorazione); tempificare

6 (mecc.) mettere in fase, mettere a punto ( un motore, l'accensione)

7 ( calcio, ecc.) fare ( un'azione, una mossa, ecc.) al momento giusto (o opportuno); calcolare bene il tempo di ( un intervento)

● (fotogr.) to time the exposure, regolare l'esposizione □ to time one's remarks, intercalare le proprie osservazioni al momento giusto □ The bus is timed to arrive at 4 o'clock, d'orario, l'autobus arriva alle quattro.

hard [hɑ:d]

dur ⇒ 1 (a)-(c), 2 (a) difficile ⇒ 1 (b) froid ⇒ 1 (c) rude ⇒ 1 (c) concret ⇒ 1 (d) fort ⇒ 2 (a) difficilement ⇒ 2 (b) durement ⇒ 2 (c)

1 adjective

(a) (not soft → substance, light, colour) dur;

∎ to get or to become hard durcir;

∎ rock hard, (as) hard as rock dur comme la pierre;

∎ his muscles are rock hard or (as) hard as rock ses muscles sont durs comme le fer, il a des muscles d'acier;

∎ she is (as) hard as nails (emotionally) elle est dure, elle n'a pas de cœur; (physically) c'est une dure à cuire

(b) (difficult → question, problem etc) difficile, dur;

∎ the laws make it hard to leave the country à cause des lois, il est difficile de quitter le pays;

∎ to have a hard fight or struggle on one's hands avoir une lourde tâche devant soi;

∎ it's hard to explain c'est difficile ou dur à expliquer;

∎ I find it hard to understand/believe that... je n'arrive pas à comprendre pourquoi/croire que...;

∎ it's hard to say c'est difficile à dire;

∎ he's hard to get on with il n'est pas facile à vivre;

∎ she is hard to please (never satisfied) elle est difficile; (difficult to buy gifts for etc) c'est difficile de lui faire plaisir;

∎ it's hard to beat on trouve difficilement mieux;

∎ it's hard to beat a good Bordeaux il n'y a rien de meilleur qu'un bon bordeaux;

∎ the hardest part of the job is done le plus dur est fait;

∎ life is hard c'est dur, la vie;

∎ times are hard les temps sont durs ou difficiles;

∎ these are hard times for all of us c'est une période difficile pour tout le monde;

∎ to fall on hard times (financially) connaître des temps difficiles ou une période de vaches maigres; (have difficult times) connaître des temps difficiles, en voir de dures;

∎ to give sb a hard time en faire voir de dures à qn;

∎ the boss has just been giving me a hard time le patron vient de me faire passer un mauvais quart d'heure;

∎ come on, don't give me a hard time! allez, laisse-moi tranquille!;

∎ you'll have a hard time (of it) persuading him to do that tu vas avoir du mal à le convaincre de faire cela;

∎ she had a hard time of it after her mother's death elle a traversé une période difficile après la mort de sa mère;

∎ she had a hard time of it when she was a child la vie n'était pas drôle pour elle quand elle était enfant;

∎ she had a hard time of it (in childbirth, operation) elle a souffert;

∎ to learn sth the hard way (involving personal loss, suffering etc) apprendre qch à ses dépens; (in a difficult way) faire le rude apprentissage de qch;

∎ I learnt the hard way not to be underinsured j'ai appris à mes dépens qu'il ne faut pas être sous-assuré;

∎ I learnt skiing the hard way j'ai appris à skier à la dure;

∎ I learnt my seamanship the hard way j'ai fait le rude apprentissage du métier de marin;

∎ to do things the hard way (through choice) se compliquer la vie; (due to circumstances) en baver;

∎ some people always have to do things the hard way il y a des gens qui choisissent toujours la difficulté;

∎ to play hard to get (flirt) jouer les insaisissables;

∎ humorous their financial expert is playing hard to get leur expert financier semble jouer à cache-cache;

∎ the hard of hearing les malentendants mpl;

∎ to be hard of hearing être dur d'oreille;

∎ a glass of wine, or would you prefer a drop of the hard stuff? un verre de vin, ou bien préféreriez-vous une goutte de quelque chose de plus fort?;

∎ keep off the hard stuff évitez les boissons fortes

(c) (severe → voice, face, eyes) dur, froid; (→ climate, winter) rigoureux, rude; (→ frost) fort, rude;

∎ he's hard (tough) c'est un dur;

∎ to be hard on sb être dur avec qn;

∎ children are hard on their shoes les enfants font subir de mauvais traitements à leurs chaussures;

∎ it's hard on the nerves c'est dur pour les nerfs;

∎ it was hard on the others ça a été dur pour les autres;

∎ it's hardest on the children le plus dur, c'est pour les enfants;

∎ to be a hard taskmaster être dur à la tâche;

∎ to take a long hard look at sth examiner qch de près;

∎ you should take a long hard look at yourself tu devrais bien te regarder;

∎ it's a hard blow for him c'est un coup terrible pour lui;

∎ no hard feelings? tu ne m'en veux pas?;

∎ familiar hard luck!, British hard cheese!, hard lines! pas de chance!^□, pas de veine!, pas de bol!;

∎ it will be hard luck if he doesn't get the job ça ne sera pas de veine ou de bol s'il n'obtient pas le travail;

∎ don't give me any of your hard luck stories ne me raconte pas tes malheurs;

∎ he gave me some hard luck story about having lost his investments il a essayé de m'apitoyer en me racontant qu'il avait perdu l'argent qu'il avait investi;

∎ familiar a hard nut or man un dur

(d) (concrete → facts) concret(ète), tangible; (→ evidence) tangible;

∎ the hard fact is that there isn't enough money la vérité, c'est qu'il n'y a pas assez d'argent;

∎ the argument was not backed up by any hard fact l'argument ne s'appuyait sur rien de concret

(e) (strenuous)

∎ it's been a long hard day la journée a été longue;

∎ it's hard work c'est dur;

∎ it was hard work to convince him j'ai eu fort à faire pour le convaincre;

∎ she's hard work (difficult to get on with) elle n'est pas facile à vivre; (difficult to make conversation with) elle n'est pas causante;

∎ she's not afraid of hard work le travail ne lui fait pas peur;

∎ the climb was hard going la montée était rude;

∎ it's hard going making conversation with him c'est difficile de discuter avec lui

(f) (intense)

∎ she's a hard worker c'est un bourreau de travail;

∎ he's a hard drinker c'est un gros buveur, il boit beaucoup;

∎ he's a hard charger c'est un fonceur;

∎ give it a good hard shove pousse-le un bon coup, pousse-le fort

(g) Finance (stock, rates) soutenu, ferme

(h) Linguistics (consonant) dur

2 adverb

(a) (strenuously → pull, push, hit, breathe) fort; (→ work) dur; (→ run) à toutes jambes; (→ listen) attentivement;

∎ to work hard at sth beaucoup travailler qch;

∎ to work hard at improving one's service/French beaucoup travailler pour améliorer son service/français;

∎ to work sb hard faire travailler qn dur;

∎ he works hard and plays hard il se dépense beaucoup dans son travail et dans ses loisirs;

∎ you'll have to try harder il faudra que tu fasses plus d'efforts;

∎ to try hard to do sth essayer de son mieux de faire qch;

∎ try hard! fais de ton mieux!;

∎ to think hard beaucoup réfléchir;

∎ think hard! réfléchis bien!;

∎ think harder! réfléchis un peu plus!;

∎ we can't find it - well, look harder! nous ne le trouvons pas - et bien cherchez mieux!;

∎ you didn't look very hard! tu n'as pas bien cherché;

∎ to look hard at sb regarder qn bien en face;

∎ to look hard at sth examiner qch;

∎ as hard as possible, as hard as one can (work, try) le plus qu'on peut; (push, hit, squeeze) de toutes ses forces;

∎ Nautical hard astern! arrière, toute!;

∎ Cars she hauled the wheel hard over elle a braqué à fond;

∎ Cars to turn hard to the left braquer à gauche, faire un virage très sec vers la gauche;

∎ to swim hard for the shore nager de toutes ses forces vers le rivage;

∎ British they're hard at it (working) ils sont plongés dans leur travail

(b) (with difficulty) difficilement;

∎ to be hard put or pushed or pressed to do sth avoir du mal à faire qch;

∎ you'll be hard put to find a shop open at this time tu vas avoir du mal à trouver une boutique ouverte à cette heure-ci;

∎ old habits die hard les vieilles habitudes ont la vie dure

(c) (harshly, severely → treat someone) durement, sévèrement; (→ rain) à verse; (→ freeze, snow) fort;

∎ he's feeling hard done by il a l'impression d'avoir été injustement traité;

∎ to be hard hit by sth être durement touché par qch;

∎ she took the news/his death pretty hard la nouvelle/sa mort l'a beaucoup éprouvée;

∎ old-fashioned it'll go hard with him if he keeps telling lies ça va aller mal pour lui s'il continue à raconter des mensonges

(d) (solid)

∎ the ground was frozen hard le gel avait complètement durci la terre;

∎ to set hard (concrete, mortar) prendre

(e) (close)

∎ to follow hard on the heels of sb être sur les talons de qn;

∎ to follow or to come hard on the heels of sth suivre qch de très près

(f) familiar (idiom)

∎ hard up (short of money) fauché, à sec;

∎ to be hard up for ideas manquer d'idées^□, être à court d'idées^□ ;

∎ to be hard up for volunteers manquer de volontaires^□ ;

∎ figurative you must be hard up if you're going out with him! il faut vraiment que tu n'aies rien à te mettre sous la dent pour sortir avec lui!

3 noun

∎ to try one's hardest faire de son mieux

4 hard by preposition

old-fashioned tout près de

►► Typography & Computing hard carriage return retour m chariot obligatoire;

familiar hard case (person) dur(e) m,f à cuire;

hard cash (argent m) liquide m;

American hard cider cidre m;

hard coal anthracite m;

Finance hard commodities minerais mpl;

Linguistics hard consonant consonne f dure;

Computing hard copy copie f sur papier, sortie f papier;

hard core (nucleus) noyau m dur; Building industry empierrement m; Music hard rock m inv, hard m inv; (pornography) porno m hard;

British Sport hard court (for tennis) court m en ciment;

hard currency monnaie f ou devise f forte;

∎ a hard currency shop un magasin où on paye en devises;

Computing hard disk disque m dur;

Computing hard disk drive, hard drive unité f de disque dur;

hard drug drogue f dure;

Horseriding hard gallop galop m soutenu;

hard hat (of construction worker) casque m; American familiar (construction worker) ouvrier(ère) m,f du bâtiment;

hard hat area = zone où le port du casque est obligatoire;

∎ hard hat area (sign) port du casque obligatoire;

Typography & Computing hard hyphen césure f imposée, trait m d'union imposé;

hard labour (UNCOUNT) travaux mpl forcés;

hard landing (by spacecraft) atterrissage m avec impact; figurative (during economic crisis) atterrissage m brutal;

Metallurgy hard lead plomb m aigre;

Politics the hard left l'extrême gauche;

hard line ligne f de conduite dure;

∎ to take a hard line on sb/sth adopter une ligne de conduite dure avec qn/sur qch;

hard liquor spiritueux mpl;

Finance hard loan prêt m aux conditions du marché;

Press hard news nouvelles fpl sûres ou vérifiées;

Veterinary medicine hard pad coussinet m dur;

Typography & Computing hard page break fin f de page obligatoire;

Anatomy hard palate voûte f du palais, palais m dur;

hard porn porno m hard, hard m inv;

Computing hard reset réinitialisation f totale de la machine;

Typography & Computing hard return saut m de ligne manuel;

Politics the hard right l'extrême droit;

Music hard rock hard rock m inv, hard m inv; esp American Cookery hard sauce = sauce au beurre, au sucre et au brandy ou au rhum servie avec le pudding;

hard science science f dure;

hard sell vente f agressive;

∎ to give sth the hard sell promouvoir qch de façon agressive;

∎ the salesman gave us the hard sell le vendeur a essayé de nous forcer la main;

hard sell approach, hard sell tactics méthode f de vente agressive;

Cars hard shoulder bande f d'arrêt d'urgence;

hard space espace m insécable;

hard water eau f calcaire ou dure

✾ Book 'Hard Times' Dickens 'Les Temps difficiles'

1) (firm; solid; not easy to break, scratch etc: The ground is too hard to dig.) duro; sólido

2) (not easy to do, learn, solve etc: Is English a hard language to learn?; He is a hard man to please.) difícil

3) (not feeling or showing kindness: a hard master.) severo; rudo; seco

4) ((of weather) severe: a hard winter.) duro, severo, riguroso

5) (having or causing suffering: a hard life; hard times.) duro, difícil

6) ((of water) containing many chemical salts and so not easily forming bubbles when soap is added: The water is hard in this part of the country.) dura

1) (with great effort: He works very hard; Think hard.) duro, con ahínco

2) (with great force; heavily: Don't hit him too hard; It was raining hard.) fuerte, fuertemente

3) (with great attention: He stared hard at the man.) fijamente

4) (to the full extent; completely: The car turned hard right.) completamente, totalmente

•

- harden

hard¹ adj

1. duro

2. difícil

hard² adv

1. mucho

2. duro / fuerte

tr[hɑːd]

adjective

1 (gen) duro,-a; (solid) sólido,-a

2 (difficult) difícil

3 (harsh) severo,-a

4 (work) arduo,-a, penoso,-a, agotador,-ra

5 figurative use cruel, rudo,-a

6 (fight, match) reñido,-a, disputado,-a; (decision) injusto,-a

7 (fact) innegable; (luck) malo,-a

8 (final decision) definitivo,-a, irrevocable; (person) severo,-a, inflexible

9 SMALLLINGUISTICS/SMALL fuerte

adverb

1 (forcibly) fuerte; (diligently) mucho, de firme, concienzudamente, con ahínco

\

hard of hearing duro,-a de oído

to be hard done by sentirse mal tratado,-a, ser tratado,-a injustamente

to be hard hit by figurative use quedar muy afectado,-a por

to be hard on somebody figurative use tratar a alguien con severidad, tratar a alguien con dureza

to be hard on somebody's heels figurative use pisar los talones a alguien

to be hard pushed to do something figurative use verse apurado,-a para realizar algo

to be hard up familiar estar sin blanca

to drive a hard bargain figurative use negociar con dureza

to have a hard time familiar pasarlo canutas, pasarlo mal

to take something very hard tomar algo muy a pecho, encajar algo muy mal

to work hard trabajar mucho

hard core (group) núcleo 2 (material) lecho de grava

hard drinker bebedor,-ra empedernido,-a

hard evidence pruebas nombre femenino plural definitivas

hard labour trabajos nombre masculino plural forzados

hard luck mala suerte

hard shoulder arcén nombre masculino

hard ['hɑrd] adv

1) forcefully: fuerte, con fuerza

the wind blew hard: el viento sopló fuerte

2) strenuously: duro, mucho

to work hard: trabajar duro

to take something hard : tomarse algo muy mal, estar muy afectado por algo

hard adj

1) firm, solid: duro, firme, sólido

2) difficult: difícil, arduo

3) severe: severo, duro

a hard winter: un invierno severo

4) unfeeling: insensible, duro

5) diligent: diligente

to be a hard worker: ser muy trabajador

hard liquor : bebidas fpl fuertes

hard water : agua f dura

• arduo, -a adj.

• calloso, -a adj.

• dificultoso, -a adj.

• difícil adj.

• duro, -a adj.

• endurecido, -a adj.

• firme adj.

• fuerte adj.

• laborioso, -a adj.

• peliagudo, -a adj.

• recio, -a adj.

• rudo, -a adj.

• sólido, -a adj.

• terco, -a adj.

• tieso, -a adj.

• apretadamente adv.

• difícilmente adv.

• duro adv.

• mucho adv.

• recio adv.

• tieso adv.

adjective -er, -est

1)

a) (firm, solid) <object/surface> duro

b) ( forceful) <push/knock> fuerte

2)

a) ( difficult) <question/subject> difícil; < task> arduo

b) ( severe) <winter/climate/master> duro, severo

c) (tough, cynical) <person/attitude> duro, insensible

3) (concentrated, strenuous)

4) ( definite) < evidence> concluyente

5) (sharp, harsh) <light/voice> fuerte; < expression> duro

6)

a) ( in strongest forms)

b) ( Fin)

c) < water> duro

d) ( Ling) <sound/consonant> fuerte

adverb -er, -est

1)

a) ( with force) <pull/push> con fuerza; < hit> fuerte

b) ( strenuously) < work> mucho, duro, duramente

c) ( intently) < listen> atentamente, con atención

2) ( heavily) <rain/snow> fuerte, mucho; <pant/breathe> pesadamente

3) ( severely)

1. ADJ

1) (=not soft) [object, substance, cheese, skin] duro; [ground, snow] duro, compacto

- be as hard as nails

- as hard as a rock

2) (=harsh, severe) [climate, winter, person] duro, severo; [frost] fuerte; [words, tone] duro, áspero; [expression, eyes, voice] serio, duro; [drink, liquor] fuerte; [drugs] duro; [fact] concreto; [evidence] irrefutable

- be as hard as nails

3) (=strenuous, tough) [work, day] duro; [fight, match] muy reñido

4) (=difficult) [exam, decision, choice] difícil

5) (=tough, unpleasant) [life, times] duro

- take a hard line against/over sth

- hard lines

6) (=forceful) [push, tug, kick] fuerte

7) (Phon, Ling) [sound] fuerte; [consonant] oclusivo

2. ADV

1) (=with a lot of effort) [work] duro, mucho; [study] mucho

2) (=with force) [hit] fuerte, duro; [pull, push, blow] con fuerza; [snow, rain] fuerte, mucho

3) (=solid)

4) (=intently) [listen] atentamente; [concentrate] al máximo

5) (=sharply)

6) (=closely)

* * *

adjective -er, -est

1)

a) (firm, solid) <object/surface> duro

b) ( forceful) <push/knock> fuerte

2)

a) ( difficult) <question/subject> difícil; < task> arduo

b) ( severe) <winter/climate/master> duro, severo

c) (tough, cynical) <person/attitude> duro, insensible

3) (concentrated, strenuous)

4) ( definite) < evidence> concluyente

5) (sharp, harsh) <light/voice> fuerte; < expression> duro

6)

a) ( in strongest forms)

b) ( Fin)

c) < water> duro

d) ( Ling) <sound/consonant> fuerte

adverb -er, -est

1)

a) ( with force) <pull/push> con fuerza; < hit> fuerte

b) ( strenuously) < work> mucho, duro, duramente

c) ( intently) < listen> atentamente, con atención

2) ( heavily) <rain/snow> fuerte, mucho; <pant/breathe> pesadamente

3) ( severely)

1)

а) жёсткий, твёрдый; тугой, негибкий, негнущийся

б) спорт. твёрдый, с твёрдым покрытием (асфальтовым или бетонным, о теннисном корте)

•

2) металлический ( о монетах - в отличие от бумажных денег)

3) частый ( о пульсе)

4) крепкий, прочный, ноский; выносливый

5)

а) трудный, утомительный, тяжёлый; требующий усилий, напряжения

б) трудный, причиняющий беспокойство (об объекте действия - в конструкции с инфинитивом или с предлогами of, in + существительное, выражающее действие)

в) трудноподдающийся (управлению, контролю)

- hard case

г) уст. не способный, испытывающий трудности (о субъекте действия - в конструкции с инфинитивом или с предлогом of + существительное, выражающее действие или способность)

•

6) трудный для понимания

7)

а) неопровержимый, "упрямый", реальный ( о фактах)

б) точный, конкретный, надёжный, обоснованный (об информации, новостях)

8) упрямый, неуступчивый; чёрствый, бесчувственный, бессердечный

9) скупой, скаредный, прижимистый

10) практичный, деловой, не поддающийся эмоциям

11)

а) труднопереносимый, давящий, гнетущий, мучительный, тягостный

б) суровый, трудный, тревожный; тяжёлый, тягостный ( о времени)

в) холодный, суровый, жестокий (о погоде и т. п.)

12)

а) строгий, требовательный, взыскательный; жёсткий, суровый; жестокий

б) резкий, грубый; враждебный

в) полит. крайний

13) неприятный (для слуха, зрения)

14)

а) жёсткий ( о воде)

б) разг. терпкий, кислый

в) амер. крепкий ( о напитках)

г) вызывающий привыкание, привычку (о лекарствах, наркотиках)

15) тлв. контрастный

16) защищённый (о пусковой площадке, конструкциях, ракетах с ядерными боеголовками)

17) фин. твёрдый, устойчивый

18) лингв. твёрдый ( о согласном)

19) физ.

а) проникающий ( о радиации)

б) полный или почти полный ( о вакууме); содержащий полный вакуум ( об электронной лампе)

20) упорный, усердный, энергичный, выполняемый с большой энергией, настойчивостью

- hard swearing

21)

а) прилежный, усердный; энергичный

б) усиленно предающийся (чему-л.)

22) хим. биологически жёсткий, неразлагающийся

•

••

- hard and fast

1)

а) энергично, активно, решительно, настойчиво, упорно; неистово, яростно

б) сильно, резко, интенсивно (о погоде, ветре, дожде)

в) амер.; разг. очень, чрезвычайно, в высшей степени, чрезмерно

2) жёстко, строго; сурово, безжалостно, жестоко

3)

а) насилу, тяжело, с трудом

б) болезненно, близко к сердцу

4) твёрдо, крепко, так, чтобы быть твёрдым, спрессованным

5) близко, рядом, вплотную ( в пространственном и временном значении)

6) мор. круто, до предела

••

1) трудность, трудности

2) твёрдый берег, твёрдая береговая полоса; каменный мол для высадки на берег; проходимое место на топком болоте

3) разг. каторга

4) табак в плитках, прессованный табак

5) разг.; = hard-on эрекция

••

- in the hard

1 very.

muy bueno/cerca very good/near

es muy hombre he's very manly, he's a real man

muy de mañana very early in the morning

¡muy bien! OK!, all right!; (vale) very good!, well done! (qué bien)

eso es muy de ella that's just like her

eso es muy de los americanos that's typically American

¡el muy fresco! the cheeky devil!

¡la muy tonta! the silly idiot!

Muy Sr. mío dear Sir

te cuidarás muy mucho de hacerlo just make absolutely sure you don't do it

2 too (demasiado).

no cabe ahí, es muy grande it won't fit in there, it's too big

* * *

► adverbio

1 very

■ es muy difícil it's very difficult

■ se levantó muy temprano he got up very early

■ lo has hecho muy bien you've done it very well

■ es un trabajador muy bueno he's a very good worker

■ el muy tonto se cree que no lo he visto the idiot thinks I haven't seen him

\

muy de mañana very early in the morning

muy señor mío (en carta) Dear Sir

ser muy hombre/mujer familiar to be a real man/woman

por muy... no matter how..., however...

■ por muy astuto que sea no nos podrá engañar now matter how crafty he is he won't be able to con us

* * *

1) very

2) quite

* * *

1. ADJ

1) (=mucho) very

2) (=demasiado) too

3) [con participio] greatly, highly

SF † (=lengua) tongue; (=boca) trap **, mouth

- achantar la muy

- irse de la muy

- largar por la muy

* * *

a) very

b) ( demasiado) too

* * *

= highly, very, eminent + Nombre, deeply, expansively, darn.

Ex. Even for those items that are designated relevant some may be judged to be highly relevant, whilst others may be regarded as partially relevant or only marginally relevant.

Ex. I have been very embarrassed at their embarrassment at the kinds of subject headings used.

Ex. 'I think it makes eminent sense, for the reasons I've outlined,' he said and started toward the door.

Ex. I have found in reading extracts from Scott's diary of his trip to the South Pole that pupils interrupted all the time to ask questions, until the final entries were reached, when everyone went very quiet, moved deeply by Scott's words and unwilling to bruise the emotion they felt.

Ex. Their survey is expansively scripted and probes for a variety of information from the interviewee = Su encuesta está muy detallada y obtiene una gran variedad de información de los encuestados.

Ex. However, as someone else said, people are pretty darn sensitive about terrorism, and the days of left-luggage may be over.

----

* acento muy pronunciado = heavy accent.

* algo muy agradable de oír = music to + Posesivo + ears.

* algo muy diferente de = a far cry from.

* algo muy difícil = a tough sell.

* algo muy distinto de = a far cry from.

* algo ya muy conocido y usado = old nag.

* andar (muy) apurado de dinero = be (hard) pressed for + money.

* andar (muy) apurado de tiempo = be (hard) pressed for + time.

* andar (muy) corto de dinero = be (hard) pressed for + money.

* andar (muy) corto de tiempo = be (hard) pressed for + time.

* andar (muy) escaso de dinero = be (hard) pressed for + money.

* andar (muy) escaso de tiempo = be (hard) pressed for + time.

* andar (muy) falto de dinero = be (hard) pressed for + money.

* andar (muy) falto de tiempo = be (hard) pressed for + time.

* apuntar muy alto = reach for + the stars, shoot for + the stars.

* a un precio muy razonable = at a very reasonable cost, at a very reasonable cost, at very reasonable cost.

* avanzar muy despacio = creep, creep along.

* como muy tarde = at the latest.

* con las manos muy largas = light-fingered.

* con lazos muy estrechos = close-knit.

* con medios muy escasos = on a shoestring (budget).

* con medios muy exiguos = on a shoestring (budget).

* con muy poca antelación = at (a) very short notice.

* con muy poca anticipación = at (a) very short notice.

* con muy poca frecuencia = all too seldom.

* con muy pocas excepciones = with a few exceptions.

* con muy pocos medios = on a shoestring (budget).

* con un plazo de tiempo muy corto = at (a) very short notice.

* curva muy abierta = sweeping curve.

* curva muy cerrada = hairpin bend, hairpin curve, hairpin turn.

* curva muy pronunciada = hairpin bend, hairpin curve, hairpin turn.

* de forma muy similar a = in much the same way as.

* de muy lejos = from afar.

* de ritmo muy acelerado = hard-driving.

* desde muy antiguo = since olden times.

* desde muy lejos = from afar.

* de un modo muy general = crudely, crudely.

* encontrar muy difícil = be hard-pushed to.

* en muy poco tiempo = before long.

* en un pasado muy lejano = in the dim and distant past.

* estar muy acostumbrado a = be all too familiar with.

* estar muy agradecido a = be indebted to.

* estar muy alejado de = be a long way from.

* estar muy arraigado en = be well embedded in.

* estar muy bajo = be way down.

* estar muy cerca de = be one step away from, be steps away from, come + very close to.

* estar muy convencido de = have + strong feelings about.

* estar muy emocionado con/por = be excited about.

* estar muy lejano = be far off.

* estar muy lejos = be far off.

* estar muy por delante de = be way out ahead of.

* estar muy por delante de su tiempo = be years ahead of + Posesivo + time.

* estar muy separado = set + far apart.

* estar muy usado = be well thumbed.

* evaluar muy positivamente según unos criterios establecido = rate + Nombre + high on + criteria.

* gente muy trabajadora = hard-working people.

* haber de muy diversos tipos = come in + all/many (sorts of) shapes and sizes.

* hablar muy bien de = rant and rave.

* hacer Algo muy bien = do + an excellent job of.

* hasta hace muy poco = up until recently.

* ignorancia es muy atrevida, la = ignorance is very daring.

* ir muy atrasado = be way behind schedule.

* ir muy por detrás de = be far behind.

* llegar muy lejos = go + a long way, come + a long way.

* lo que es muy importante = importantly.

* muy abreviado = highly-abbreviated.

* muy activo = afire.

* muy a diferencia de = in marked contrast to/with.

* muy + Adjetivo = extremely + Adjetivo, grossly + Adjetivo, rather + Adjetivo, severely + Adjetivo, tightly + Adjetivo, wildly + Adjetivo, extraordinarily + Adjetivo, incredibly + Adjetivo, ludicrously + Adjetivo, seriously + Adjetivo, disappointingly + Adjetivo, not least + Adjetivo, heavily + Adjetivo, much + Adjetivo, mighty + Adjetivo, prohibitively + Adjetivo, sorely + Adjetivo, supremely + Adjetivo, vastly + Adjetivo, vitally + Adjetivo, immensely + Adjetivo, hugely + Adjetivo, significantly + Adjetivo, most + Adjetivo, impressively + Adjetivo, bloody + Adjetivo.

* muy + Adjetivo/Adverbio = quite + Adjetivo/Adverbio.

* muy + Adjetivo/Participio = keenly + Adjetivo/Participio.

* muy admirado = much-admired.

* muy + Adverbio = ever so + Adverbio.

* muy agustito = snugly.

* muy alejado de = a long way removed from.

* muy al principio = in very early days, at the very outset.

* muy amado = much-loved.

* muy a menudo = more often than not, very often, most often than not.

* muy antiguo = centuries-old.

* muy anunciado = well-publicised [well-publicized, -USA].

* muy apartado de = a long way removed from.

* muy a + Posesivo + pesar = to + Posesivo + chagrin.

* muy apreciado = highly appreciated, long-revered.

* muy apreciado desde hace tiempo = long-revered.

* muy arraigado = deep-rooted, well established, long-established.

* muy a tiempo = in good time.

* muy atrás = far behind.

* muy atrasado = in the backwoods.

* muy avanzado = well-developed, well-advanced.

* muy beneficioso = high-payoff.

* muy bien = nicely.

* ¡muy bien! = the way to go!.

* muy bien cuidado = well-kept.

* muy bien pagado = highly paid.

* muy bien + podría + Verbo = might + well + Verbo.

* muy bien + puede + Verbo = may well + Verbo.

* muy bien remunerado = highly paid.

* muy bien tramado = carefully crafted.

* muy bien urdido = carefully crafted.

* muy caliente = piping hot, baking hot.

* muy cambiado = much-changed, much-changed.

* muy caro = high priced [high-priced].

* muy cerca = close-by.

* muy claramente = in no uncertain terms.

* muy completo = populated.

* muy concurrido = well-used [well used], well attended [well-attended].

* muy condicionado = well-conditioned.

* muy condimentado = spicy [spicier -comp., spiciest -sup.].

* muy conseguido = slick, licked, well-crafted.

* muy criticado = much-criticised [much-criticized, USA].

* muy crítico = highly critical.

* muy custodiado = heavily guarded.

* muy de cerca = not far behind.

* muy desarrollado = well-developed.

* muy despacio = very slowly.

* muy de tarde en tarde = once in a blue moon.

* muy diferente de = far different... from, in marked contrast to/with.

* muy difícil de traducir = defy + translation.

* muy dispuesto a = all ready to.

* muy divulgado = well-publicised [well-publicized, -USA].

* muy documentado = well-informed.

* muy duro = as hard as nails.

* muy eficaz = powerful.

* muy endeudado = heavily indebted.

* muy escandaloso = highly visible.

* muy especializado = highly specialised.

* muy estimado = highly regarded, highly esteemed, highly reputed.

* muy estrecho = poky [pokier -comp., pokiest -sup.].

* muy estructurado = highly-structured.

* muy extendido = commonly-held, widely held.

* muy famoso = highly acclaimed, widely acclaimed, well-acclaimed.

* muy frecuentado = heavily used.

* muy frecuentemente = so often, most often than not.

* muy frecuente y rápido = rapid-fire.

* muy gastado = worn-out.

* muy generalizado = commonly-held, widely held.

* muy grande = big time.

* muy iluminado = brightly illuminated.

* muy importante = critical, very importantly, big time.

* muy informado = well-informed.

* muy leído = widely-read.

* muy lejano = far off.

* muy lejos = far away, far off.

* muy lejos de = a long way from, a long way removed from.

* muy lejos de conseguir = a long way toward.

* muy lentamente = very slowly.

* muy lluvioso = rain-soaked.

* muy logrado = slickly produced.

* muy mal tiempo = severe weather.

* muy mayor = over the hill.

* muy moderno = trendy [trendier -comp., trendiest -sup.].

* muy motivado = highly-motivated.

* muy necesario = much needed [much-needed], long overdue.

* muy nervioso = in a state of agitation, highly-strung.

* muy nervioso, histérico = high-strung.

* muy notorio = highly visible.

* muy parecido a = much like.

* muy + Participio = badly + Participio.

* muy + Participio Pasado = widely + Participio Pasado, extensively + Participio Pasado.

* muy peculiar = highly distinctive.

* muy pertinente para = central to.

* muy poblado = heavily populated.

* muy poco = minimally.

* muy polémico = highly controversial.

* muy popular = widely-read, highly popular.

* muy por delante de = far ahead of.

* muy por detrás = far behind.

* muy por el contrario = in marked contrast.

* muy por encima de = far beyond.

* muy por encima de todo = over and above all.

* muy posiblemente = for all you know, for all we know.

* muy practicado = much practised.

* muy preciado = much prized, highly prized.

* muy preciso = much needed [much-needed].

* muy probablemente = most likely, most probably.

* muy pronto = before long, pretty soon.

* muy propio = highly distinctive.

* muy provechoso = high-payoff.

* muy pulido = licked, slick.

* muy querido = much-loved.

* muy rápidamente = like a house on fire, in short order.

* muy rara vez = all too seldom, all too seldom, once in a blue moon.

* muy recomendado = highly recommended.

* muy reconocido = highly regarded, highly esteemed, highly reputed.

* muy resistente = heavy-duty.

* muy respetado = highly regarded, highly esteemed, highly reputed, widely-respected.

* muy sazonado = spicy [spicier -comp., spiciest -sup.].

* muy similar a = much like.

* muy sistemático = highly-structured.

* muy solicitado = in great demand.

* muy trabajado = well-crafted.

* muy trabajador = committed.

* muy unido = close-knit, tight-knit, closely knit, well-connected, tightly knit.

* muy usado = shabby [shabbier -comp., shabbiest -sup.], high-use, well-used [well used], well-worn, well-worn, heavily used, much-used.

* muy útil = highly valuable.

* muy valioso = highly valuable, highly prized.

* muy valorado = highly valued, highly appreciated.

* muy venerado = long-revered.

* muy venerado desde hace tiempo = long-revered.

* muy vigilado = heavily guarded.

* no andar muy equivocado = be in the right realm.

* no estar muy lejos de = be just one step away from.

* nombre muy conocido = household name, household word.

* no muy bien informado = not-too-well-informed.

* no muy despierto = slow.

* no muy lejos = within easy travelling distance, not far behind, not far off, not far away, not far, not too far.

* no tener que ir muy lejos = not have to look far.

* pasarlo muy mal = have + a tough time, have + a hard time.

* persona muy trabajadora = hard-working person.

* poner un precio a Algo muy alto = overprice.

* por muy + Adjetivo + be = Adjetivo + though + Nombre + be.

* por muy difícil que parezca = difficult though it may seem, difficult as it may seem.

* por muy extraño que parezca = strangely enough, strange though it may seem, strange as it may seem, although it may seem strange, funnily enough.

* por muy increíble que parezca = incredible though it may seem, incredibly, incredibly enough, incredible as it may seem, although it may seem incredible.

* por muy mentira que parezca = incredibly, incredible though it may seem, strangely enough, incredibly enough, incredible as it may seem, strange though it may seem, strange as it may seem, although it may seem strange, although it may seem incredible.

* por muy raro que parezca = strangely enough, oddly enough, strange though it may seem, strange as it may seem, although it may seem strange.

* posibilidades muy variadas = rich possibilities.

* puede muy bien ser = could well be.

* puede muy bien ser que = it may well be that.

* regla muy precisa = finely graduated scale.

* repasar Algo muy detenidamente = go over + Nombre + with a fine toothcomb.

* sangre muy diluida = thin blood.

* sentido muy desarrollado de su propio territorio = territoriality.

* ser algo muy claro = be a dead giveaway.

* ser algo muy fácil de conseguir = be there for the taking.

* ser Algo muy importante = loom + large.

* ser algo muy obvio = be a dead giveaway.

* ser algo muy poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo muy raro = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo muy revelador = be a giveaway.

* ser muy aconsejable que = be well advised to.

* ser muy amigo de = be pally with.

* ser muy antiguo = go back + a long way.

* ser muy buena señal = bode + well.

* ser muy conocido por = be well known for.

* ser muy diferente de = be quite apart from.

* ser muy difícil, no ser nada fácil = be hard-pushed to.

* ser muy escaso = be at a premium.

* ser muy gracioso = be a right laugh.

* ser muy melindroso = be picky.

* ser muy necesario = be long overdue.

* ser muy particular = be picky.

* ser muy poco probable = be remote.

* ser muy popular = have + mass appeal.

* ser muy probable = chances + be.

* ser muy prometedor = promise + great possibilities, bode + well.

* ser muy provechoso = pay off + handsomely.

* ser muy quisquilloso = be picky.

* ser muy rápido = be quick off + Posesivo + feet.

* ser muy revelador = speak + volumes, be an eye-opener.

* ser muy superior a los demás = be way above all the others.

* ser muy superior a los otros = be way above all the others.

* ser muy usado = be heavily used.

* servir muy bien = take + Nombre + a long way.

* tejido muy delicado = gossamer.

* tener algo muy vivo en la mente de uno = be strong in + mind.

* tener muy mala cara = look like + death warmed (over/up).

* tenerse muy en cuenta por = carry + weight with.

* tener un día muy largo = have + a long day.

* tiempo muy malo = severe weather.

* una probabilidad muy alta = a sporting chance.

* venir muy bien = fit + the bill.

* verse muy afectado por = have + a high stake in.

* vigilar Algo muy de cerca = keep + a watchful eye.

* * *

a) very

b) ( demasiado) too

* * *

* * *

1 very

muy poca gente very few people

soy muy consciente de mis limitaciones I'm very o acutely aware of my limitations

es muy trabajador he's a very hard worker, he works very hard

son muy amigos they're great friends

está muy bien escrito it's extremely o very well written

su carne es muy apreciada its meat is highly prized

muy admirado much admired

muy respetado highly respected

muy bien, sigamos adelante OK o fine, let's go on

muy bien, si eso es lo que tú quieres very well, if that's what you want

estoy muy, pero muy disgustado I'm very, very upset

es un gesto muy suyo it's a typical gesture of his

ella es muy de criticar a los demás she's very fond of criticizing others

por muy cansado que estés however o no matter how tired you are

¿sabes lo que hizo el muy sinvergüenza? do you know what he did, the swine?

2 (demasiado) too

te ha quedado muy dulce it's rather o too sweet

no me gusta sentarme muy adelante I don't like sitting too near the front/too far forward