they came to an explanation

ˌekspləˈneɪʃən сущ.
1) а) пояснение, разъяснение( for) (факт, довод) to give, offer, provide an explanation ≈ объяснять to accept an explanation ≈ принимать объяснение lucid explanation ≈ понятное объяснение rational explanation ≈ логичное объяснение satisfactory explanation ≈ приемлемое объяснение simple explanation ≈ простое объяснение unsatisfactory explanation ≈ неудовлетворительное/невнятное объяснение Syn: elucidation, interpretation, clarification б) объяснение (процесс, в ходе которого даются пояснения)
2) а) истолкование, трактовка Syn: annotation, commentary, definition, description, exposition, interpretation б) редк. взаимопонимание I came to an immediate explanation with your father on the subject. ≈ Мы быстро пришли к обоюдному взаимопониманию с вашим отцом по данному вопросу.
3) реабилитация, оправдание объяснение;
пояснение;
разъяснение - the * of difficulties разъяснение трудностей - after repeated *s после неоднократных объяснений - by way of * в пояснение, для ясности - he said a few words by way of * он коротко пояснил свою мысль - it needs no * that... нет нужды пояснять, что... объяснение, разговор, выяснение отношений - they had an * они объяснились между собой, между ними произошло объяснение объяснение, оправдание - legal * юридическое обоснование - satisfactory * удовлетворительное объяснение - in * of his conduct в оправдание своего поведения - an * of their delay was demanded от них потребовали объяснения причин задержки толкование, истолкование - differing *s разные толкования - the * proved to be erroneous толкование оказалось ошибочным explanation объяснение, разъяснение ~ объяснение ~ оправдание ~ пояснение ~ разъяснение ~ толкование, истолкование ~ толкование

1. adv. - por poco 2. (f. - poca)

pron.

little, few

3. (f. - poca)

adj.

little, few, not much

* * *

1. ADJ

1) [en singular] little, not much

tenemos poco tiempo — we have little time, we don't have much time

hay muy poco queso — there's very little cheese, there's hardly any cheese

de poco interés — of little interest

con poco respeto — with little respect, with scant respect

el provecho es poco — the gain is small, there isn't much to gain

• poca cosa, no te preocupes por tan poca cosa — don't worry about such a little thing

poca cosa se podría haber hecho — there wasn't much we could have done

comemos, jugamos a cartas, leemos y poca cosa más — we eat, play cards, read and do little else o and that's about it

es poca cosa — (=no mucho) it's not much; (=no importante) it's nothing much

somos tan poca cosa — we're so insignificant

es muy guapa pero poca cosa — she's very pretty, but there isn't much to her

• y por si fuera poco — and as if that weren't enough, and to cap it all

2) [en plural] few, not many

pocos niños saben que... — few o not many children know that...

tiene pocos amigos — he has few friends, he hasn't got many friends

pocos días después — a few days later

compré unos pocos libros — I bought a few books

me quedan pocas probabilidades — I don't have much chance

todas las medidas son pocas — no measure will be enough

2. PRON

1) [en singular]

a) (=poca cosa)

la reforma servirá para poco — the reform won't do much good o won't be much use

una hora da para poco — you can't get much done in an hour

con lo poco que me quedaba — with what little I had left

ya sabes lo poco que me interesa — you know how little it interests me

b)

• un poco — a bit, a little

-¿tienes frío? -un poco — "are you cold?" - "a bit o a little"

he bebido un poco, pero no estoy borracho — I've had a bit to drink, but I'm not drunk

voy a dormir un poco — I am going to have a little sleep

le conocía un poco — I knew him a bit o slightly

necesito descansar un poco — I need to rest for a while

espera un poco — wait a minute o moment

estoy un poco triste — I am rather o a little sad

es un poco lo que yo comentaba — that's more or less what I was saying

• un poco como, es un poco como su padre — he's rather o a bit like his father

lo hice un poco como protesta — I did it partly as a protest

• un poco de, un poco de dinero — a little money

dame un poco de vino — can I have some wine?

¡un poco de silencio! — let's have some quiet here!

c) [referido a tiempo] not long

tardaron poco en hacerlo — it didn't take them long to do it, they didn't take long to do it

lleva poco trabajando aquí — he hasn't been working here long

• a poco de — shortly after

a poco de haberlo firmado — shortly after signing it

• cada poco — every so often

• dentro de poco — shortly, soon

• poco después — shortly after

• hace poco — not long ago

fuimos a verla hace poco — we visited her not long ago, we visited her quite recently

tu hermana ha llamado hace poco — your sister called a short while ago

la conozco desde hace poco — I haven't known her long, I've only known her for a short while

hasta hace poco — until recently

2) [en plural] few

pocos son los que... — there are few who...

ya somos pocos los que nos sentimos así — there are now very few of us who feel this way

pocos de entre ellos — few of them

como hay pocos —

es tonto como hay pocos — he's as stupid as they come

3. ADV

1) [con verbos] not much, little

cuesta poco — it doesn't cost much, it costs very little

habla poco — he doesn't say much

ahora trabaja poco — he doesn't work much now

vamos poco a Madrid — we don't go to Madrid much, we hardly ever go to Madrid

lo estiman poco — they hardly value it at all, they value it very little

2) [con adjetivos: se traduce a menudo por medio de un prefijo]

poco dispuesto a ayudar — disinclined to help

poco amable — unkind

poco probable — unlikely

poco inteligente — unintelligent, not very intelligent

sus libros son poco conocidos aquí — his books are not very well known here

3) [otras locuciones]

poco a poco — little by little

¡poco a poco! — steady on!, easy does it!

a poco Méx —

*

¿a poco? — never!, you don't say!

¡a poco no! — not much! *

¿a poco no? — (well) isn't it?

¿a poco crees que...? — do you really imagine that...?

• de a poco — LAm gradually

• tener en poco, tiene en poco a su jefe — she doesn't think much of her boss

tiene la vida en poco — he doesn't value his life

• poco más o menos — more or less

• por poco — almost, nearly

por poco me ahogo — I almost o nearly drowned

• a poco que, a poco que pueda — if at all possible

a poco que corras, lo alcanzas — if you run now you'll catch it

* * *

I

adverbio

es muy poco agradecido — he is very ungrateful

un autor muy poco conocido — a very little-known author

me resultó poco interesante — I didn't find it very interesting

habla poco — he doesn't say much o a lot

viene muy poco por aquí — he hardly ever comes around

... con lo poco que le gusta el arroz —... and he doesn't even like rice; para locs ver poco III 4)

II

- ca adjetivo ( con sustantivos no numerables) little; ( en plural) few

muy poco vino — very little wine

muy pocos niños — very few children

qué poco sentido común tienes! — you don't have much common sense, do you?

tengo muy poca ropa — I have very few clothes

éramos demasiado pocos — there were too few of us

fue asombroso, todo lo que te pueda decir es poco — it was amazing, I can't (even) begin to tell you

todo le parece poco — she is never satisfied

III

- ca pronombre

1) (poca cantidad, poca cosa)

le serví sopa pero comió poca — I gave her some soup but she didn't eat much

por poco que gane... — no matter how little o however little she earns...

se conforma con poco — he's easily satisfied

poco faltó para que me pegara — he nearly hit me

lo poco que gana se lo gasta en vino — he spends the little o what little he earns on wine

compra más lentejas, nos quedan muy pocas — buy some more lentils, we've hardly any left

es un profesor como pocos — there aren't many teachers like him

pocos pueden permitirse ese lujo — not many people can afford to do that

2) poco ( refiriéndose a tiempo)

lo vi hace poco — I saw him recently o not long ago

hace muy poco que lo conoce — she hasn't known him for very long

tardó poco en hacerlo — it didn't take him long to do it

falta poco para las navidades — it's not long till Christmas

a poco de venir él — soon o shortly after he came

dentro de poco — soon

poco antes de que... — a short while o shortly before...

3) un poco

a) ( refiriéndose a cantidades) a little; ( refiriéndose a tiempo) a while

espera un poquito — wait a little while

todavía le duele un poco — it still hurts him a little o a bit

es un poco lo que está pasando en Japón — it's rather like what's happening in Japan

un poco porque me dio lástima — partly because I felt sorry for him

b)

un poco de: un poco de pimienta/vino a little (bit of) pepper/wine; come un poco de jamón — have a bit of ham

c)

un poco + adj/adv: un poco caro/tarde — a bit o a little expensive/late

4) (en locs)

a poco — (Méx)

¿a poco no lees los periódicos? — don't you read the newspapers?

a poco no está fabuloso Acapulco! — isn't Acapulco just fantastic!

a poco ganaron! — don't tell me they won!

de a poco — (AmL) gradually

agrégale la leche de a poquito — add the milk gradually o a little at a time

de a poquito se lo fue comiendo — little by little she ate it all up

en poco: en poco estuvo que no viniéramos we almost didn't come; tienen en poco la vida ajena they set little value on other people's lives; me tienes bien en poco si crees que... you can't think very highly o much of me if you think...; poco a poco gradually; poco más o menos approximately, roughly; poco menos que nearly; poco menos que la mata (fam) he almost killed her; poco menos que los echan a patadas (fam) they practically kicked them out; por poco — nearly

* * *

= little [less -comp., least -sup.], low [lower -comp., lowest -sup.], scant, trifle, tad, little in the way of.

Ex. Explanatory references give a little more explanation as to why the link between two names is being made in the catalogue or index.

Ex. Carlton Duncan discussed the difficulties built into the educational processes which led to under-performance at school and the resulting low representation in higher education and low entry into the professions.

Ex. Scant attention is paid to evaluation and the needs of users.

Ex. She had been a trifle nervous until it was formally announced that the position was hers.

Ex. Williams is one of those rare poets who satisfies the yearning that many of us have for the memorable phrase we wish we had said were our perceptions a tad keener.

Ex. Without any significant restructuring, the LIS programme in Iran will provide little in the way of riding out the rapid transition that the field is currently experiencing.

----

* abultar poco = be skimpy.

* acercarse poco a poco (a) = edge (toward(s)).

* actuar con poca consideración hacia = play + fast and loose with.

* agua poco profunda = shallow water.

* aguas poco profundas = shallows.

* alimentos poco saludables = unhealthy foods.

* a poca distancia = not far behind.

* a poca distancia andando = within walking distance, within an easy walk.

* a poca distancia a pie = within an easy walk, within walking distance.

* a pocos minutos andando = within walking distance, within easy walking distance, within an easy walk.

* a pocos minutos a pie = within walking distance, within easy walking distance, within an easy walk.

* avanzar poco a poco (hacia) = edge (toward(s)).

* cada pocos años = every few years.

* comida poco saludable = unhealthy foods.

* comportamiento poco cívico = uncivic behaviour.

* con muchos huesos y poca carne = bony [bonier -comp., boniest -sup.].

* 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 few exceptions.

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

* con poca claridad = indistinctly.

* con poca exactitud = loosely.

* con poca experiencia = inexperienced.

* con poca iluminación = dimly illuminated.

* con poca imaginación = unimaginatively.

* con poca naturalidad = stiltedly.

* con poca población = thinly populated.

* con pocas habilidades = poor-ability.

* con poca visión de futuro = short-sighted [shortsighted].

* con poco dinero = on the cheap.

* con poco entusiasmo = half-heartedly.

* con pocos recursos = under-resourced.

* con pocos recursos económicos = low-budget.

* consumir poco a poco = eat away at.

* con tan poca antelación = at such short notice.

* con tan poca anticipación = at such short notice.

* correr poco a poco = eat away at.

* cuestiones poco claras = grey area [gray area].

* de forma poco ética = unethically.

* de forma poco imaginativa = unimaginatively.

* de forma poco profesional = unprofessionally.

= petty criminal.

Ex. When the security services carry out acts of terror, they employ patsies who often are petty criminals or people who are mentally backward or mentally unstable.

----

* de manera poco ética = unethically.

* de manera poco profesional = unprofessionally.

* demasiado poco común = all too rare.

* de modo poco imaginativo = unimaginatively.

* dentro de poco = before long.

* de población poco densa = sparsely populated.

* de poca importancia = menial, small-time.

* de poca monta = hack, small-time.

* de pocas luces = dim [dimmer -comp., dimmest -sup.], dim-witted [dimwitted].

* de poco impacto = low impact [low-impact].

* de poco peso = pat, feeble.

* de poco provecho = fruitless.

* de poco uso = low-use.

* de poco valor = a dime a dozen.

* desaparecer poco a poco = fade into + the sunset.

* de todo un poco = about this and that and everything else, about this and that.

* de un modo poco constructivo = unconstructively.

* de un modo poco económico = wastefully.

* de un modo poco natural = unnaturally.

* donde cabe mucho también cabe poco = what holds a lot will hold a little.

* durar poco = be short term.

* echar poco a poco = dribble.

* el que mucho abarca poco aprieta = jack of all trades, master of none.

* en el caso poco probable de que = in the unlikely case (that).

* en muy poco tiempo = before long.

* en pocas palabras = simply put, in brief, to say the least, to put it (quite) simply, in short, to cut a long story short, bottom line, the, put simply, to make a long story short, the short story + be, simply stated.

* en poco tiempo = before very long, in quite a short time, in a short time, in a short span of time.

* en unos pocos años = within a few years.

* estar poco dispuesto = be reluctant.

* estar poco representado = underrepresent [under-represent].

* estar un poco anticuado = be some years old.

* excusa poco convincente = lame excuse.

* faltar poco (para) = have + a short way to go (before).

* faltar un poco = be some way off.

* gente de poca importancia = small fry, the.

* haber poca duda de que = there + be + little doubt that.

* hace muy poco tiempo = a short time ago.

* hace poco tiempo = a short time ago.

* hacer poca distinción entre... y... = make + little distinction between... and....

* hacer poco = do + little.

* hacer que sea poco probable = render + unlikely.

* hace unos pocos años = a few years ago.

* hace unos pocos días = a few days ago.

* hasta hace muy poco = until recently, up until recently.

* hasta hace relativamente poco tiempo = until relatively recently.

* horas de poca actividad = slack hours.

* horas de poco movimiento = slack hours.

* introducirse poco a poco = ease + Reflexivo + in.

* ir poco más allá de + Infinitivo = go little further than + Gerundio.

* llegar poco a poco = dribble in.

* lo poco común = rarity, rareness.

* mucho ruido para pocas nueces = much ado about nothing.

* mucho ruido y pocas nueces = storm in a teacup, Posesivo + bark is worse than + Posesivo + bite.

* muchos jefes y pocos trabajadores = too many chiefs and not enough Indians.

* muy poco = minimally.

* ofrecer poco = low-ball.

* operación de poca monta = one-room, one-person operation.

* pagando un poco más = at additional cost.

* parece tener poco sentido que = there + seem + little point in.

* pasar poco a poco = slide into.

* período de poca actividad = slack time.

* perro ladrador, poco mordedor = barking dogs seldom bite, Posesivo + bark is worse than + Posesivo + bite.

* poca cantidad = trickle.

* poca cosa = small fry, the.

* poca iluminación = poor lighting.

* poca importancia = unimportance, low profile.

* poca notoriedad = low profile.

* poca probabilidad = slim chance.

* poca severidad = lenience, leniency.

* pocas expectativas = low expectation.

* poca utilidad = unhelpfulness.

* poco abundante = light [lighter -comp., lightest -sup.].

* poco accesible = unapproachable.

* poco acertado = clumsy [clumsier -comp., clumsiest -sup.], injudicious.

* poco acogedor = inhospitable.

* poco aconsejable = unwise, inadvisable.

* poco adecuado = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco + Adjetivo = slightly + Adjetivo, less than + Adjetivo.

* poco afortunado = unhappy, ill-favoured [ill-favored, -USA].

* poco agraciado = ill-favoured [ill-favored, -USA].

* poco amable = off-putting, surly [surlier -comp., surliest -sup.], crusty [crustier -comp., crustiest -sup.], unkind.

* poco americano = un-American.

* poco amistoso = off-putting, unfriendly.

* poco antes de + Fecha = shortly before + Fecha.

* poco a poco = gradually, piecemeal, slowly, incrementally, at a snail's pace, little by little, bit by bit.

* poco apreciado = unappreciated.

* poco apropiado = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco apto = inapt.

* poco arriesgado = low-risk.

* poco asequible = unapproachable.

* poco atractivo = off-putting, unattractive, unglamorous, uninviting, unappealing.

* poco atrevido = unadventurous.

* poco audaz = unadventurous.

* poco aventurero = unadventurous.

* poco cabelleroso = ungentlemanlike.

* poco cálido = lukewarm.

* poco científico = hit-or-miss, unscientific.

* poco cívico = uncivic.

* poco claro = confusing, fuzzy [fuzzier - comp., fuzziest -sup.], indistinct, obscure, unclear, untidy, hazy, inconclusive, slurred, clouded, blurry [blurrier -comp., blurriest -sup.], undistinguished, uncleared, indistinctive, bleary [blearier -comp., bleariest -sup.].

* poco colaborador = unresponsive.

* poco comercial = uncommercial.

* poco competitivo = uncompetitive.

* poco complicado = uncomplicated, uncomplicatedly.

* poco comprensivo = unsympathetic.

* poco común = rare, unfamiliar, unusual, uncommon, unordinary, out of the ordinary.

* poco comunicativo = uncommunicative, reserved.

* poco confortable = uncomfortable.

* poco conocido = obscure, little known.

* poco convencido = unconvinced.

* poco convencional = unconventional.

* poco convincente = unconvincing, inconclusive, pat, feeble.

* poco convincentemente = unconvincingly.

* poco correcto = ungentlemanlike.

* poco cortés = impolite, ungentlemanlike.

* poco culto = unenlightened.

* poco decidido = half-hearted [halfhearted].

* poco definido = blurry [blurrier -comp., blurriest -sup.], bleary [blearier -comp., bleariest -sup.].

* poco denso = rarefied.

* poco deportivo = unsportsmanlike.

* poco después = soon afterwards, shortly afterwards, shortly after, not long after.

* poco después de = soon after (that), shortly after.

* poco después de que = shortly after.

* poco diestro = poor-ability.

* poco diplomático = indiscreet.

* poco dispuesto = disinclined.

* poco dispuesto a colaborar = uncooperative.

* poco ducho en las nuevas tecnologías = technologically challenged.

* poco económico = uneconomical.

* poco efectivo = ineffectual.

* poco eficaz = non-efficient.

* poco elegante = inelegant, awkward, dowdy [dowdier -comp., dowdiest -sup.].

* poco embarazoso = unembarrassing.

* poco entusiasta = half-hearted [halfhearted], lukewarm.

* poco envidiable = unenviable.

* poco estable = unsettled.

* poco estético = unaesthetic.

* poco estimulador = unchallenging.

* poco estimulante = unexciting, uninspiring, unmoving.

* poco estricto = lax.

* poco ético = unethical.

* poco evidente = unnoticed, unnoted.

* poco exigente = untaxing, undemanding.

* poco favorable = unpromising.

* poco favorecedor = unflattering.

* poco fiable = unreliable, undependable, flaky [flakey].

* poco firme = tenuous, rocky [rockier -comp., rockiest -sup.].

* poco flexible = monolithic, inelastic.

* poco frecuente = infrequent.

* poco fructífero = unfruitful.

* poco gratificante = unrewarding, unsatisfying.

* poco grato = unwelcome.

* poco hábil = poor-ability.

* poco habitual = unaccustomed.

* poco halagador = unflattering.

* poco halagüeño = unflattering.

* poco hospitalario = inhospitable.

* poco idóneo = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco iluminado = dimly illuminated.

* poco imaginativo = unimaginative.

* poco importante = menial, small-time.

* poco impresionado = unimpressed.

* poco informativo = uninformative.

* poco intelectual = lowbrow [low-brow].

* poco inteligente = unintelligent.

* poco intenso = light [lighter -comp., lightest -sup.].

* poco interesante = dull, jackdaw, uninteresting, uninspiring, unremarkable.

* poco juicioso = injudicious.

* poco justificado = ill-justified.

* poco listo = underprepared.

* poco maduro = underripe.

* poco más = little else.

* poco materialista = unworldly.

* poco memorable = forgettable.

* poco mundano = unwordly.

* poco natural = unnatural, stilted.

* poco nítido = untidy.

* poco normal = unnatural, unordinary, out of the ordinary.

* poco novedoso = trite.

* poco original = unoriginal.

* poco ortodoxo = unorthodox.

* poco poblado = thinly populated.

* poco práctico = impractical, awkward.

* poco preparado = underprepared.

* poco probable = unlikely, far-fetched [farfetched].

* poco productivo = unproductive.

* poco profesional = amateurish, unprofessional.

* poco profundo = shallow [shallower -comp., shallowest -sup.].

* poco prometedor = bleak, unpromising.

* poco propicio = unpromising, unpromising.

* poco provechoso = fruitless, unrewarding.

* poco prudente = ill-advised, ill-judged.

* poco pulido = unpolished.

* poco razonable = unreasonable.

* poco realista = unrealistic, unreal, unwordly, way out in left field, airy-fairy.

* poco recomendable = inadvisable.

* poco refinado = unrefined, unpolished.

* poco rentable = uneconomical.

* poco representativo = unrepresentative.

* poco romántico = unromantic.

* poco sabido = little known.

* poco saludable = unwholesome, insalubrious.

* poco sano = unwholesome, insalubrious.

* poco seguro = dicey [dicier -comp., diciest -sup.].

* poco sensato = ill-advised, injudicious, ill-judged.

* poco sentimental = unsentimental.

* poco serio = flippant.

* poco sincero = insincere.

* poco sistemático = sloppy [sloppier -comp., sloppiest -sup.].

* poco social = unsocial.

* poco sofisticado = elementary, unsophisticated, corn-fed.

* poco sólido = insubstantial.

* poco tiempo = short while, short time.

* poco tiempo después = shortly afterwards.

* poco tradicional = untraditional.

* poco unido = loosely knit.

* poco uniforme = patchy [patchier -comp., patchiest -sup.].

* poco usado = little-used.

* poco usual = unusual.

* poco útil = clumsy [clumsier -comp., clumsiest -sup.], unhelpful.

* poquito a poco = little by little.

* por mencionar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por mencionar uno pocos = just to name a few.

* por nombrar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por nombrar unos pocos = to name a few.

* por poco dinero = cheaply.

* por poco o nada = at little or no extra cost.

* por si era poco = for good measure.

* por si fuera poco = to boot, for good measure, to add insult to injury, to add salt to injury, to rub salt in the wound.

* prestar poca atención a = give + little thought to.

* pretexto poco convincente = lame excuse.

* quedar poco (para) = have + a short way to go (before).

* quedar un poco = be some way off.

* quedar un poco perjudicado = be a little worse prepared, be a little worse off.

* que ocupa poco espacio = space-saving.

* qué poco común = how odd.

* quien mucho abarca poco aprieta = bite off more than + Pronombre + can chew.

* reducirse poco a poco = dribble off.

* resultar poco fructífero = prove + unfruitful.

* roer poco a poco = eat away at.

* saber un poco de todo y mucho de nada = jack of all trades, master of none.

* sacar poco a poco = tease out.

* salir un poco perjudicado = be a little worse prepared, be a little worse off.

* sangre poco espesa = thin blood.

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

* ser algo poco común = be the exception rather than the rule.

* ser algo poco conocido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser algo poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo poco sabido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser de poco valor = be of little use, be of little value.

* ser muy poco probable = be remote.

* ser poco = be under-provided.

* ser poco agradecido = be thankless.

* ser poco eficaz = do + little.

* ser poco reconocido = be thankless.

* ser pocos = be few in number, be small in number.

* ser un hecho poco conocido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser un hecho poco sabido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* servir de poco = be of little use.

* servir de poco o nada = be of little or no avail.

* solución poco real = pie in the sky solution.

* tener poca información = be information poor.

* tener pocas luces = as thick as a brick, as thick as two (short) planks, as daft as a brush, knucklehead.

* tener pocas posibilidades de = have + little recourse.

* tener poco que ver = have + little to do.

* tener poco valor = be of little value.

* trabajo de poca monta = odd-job.

* un hombre de pocas palabras = a man of few words.

* unos pocos elegidos = a select few.

* un poco = a bit, somewhat, slightly, something of, a little bit, kinda [kind of].

* un poco áspero = roughish.

* un poco como = kind of like.

* un poco de = a measure of, a touch (of), a bit of, a piece of, a spot of, a splash of, a hint of.

* un poco + Nombre = a shade + Nombre.

* un poco obscuro = dusky.

* un poco perdido = a bit at sea.

* un poco rugoso = roughish.

* usado con poca frecuencia = seldom used [seldom-used].

* usuario que hace poco uso del préstamo = light borrower.

* utilizar poco = underutilise/under-utilise [underutilize/under-utilize, -USA].

* vivienda poco digna = poor housing.

* y poco más = and little more.

* * *

I

adverbio

es muy poco agradecido — he is very ungrateful

un autor muy poco conocido — a very little-known author

me resultó poco interesante — I didn't find it very interesting

habla poco — he doesn't say much o a lot

viene muy poco por aquí — he hardly ever comes around

... con lo poco que le gusta el arroz —... and he doesn't even like rice; para locs ver poco III 4)

II

- ca adjetivo ( con sustantivos no numerables) little; ( en plural) few

muy poco vino — very little wine

muy pocos niños — very few children

qué poco sentido común tienes! — you don't have much common sense, do you?

tengo muy poca ropa — I have very few clothes

éramos demasiado pocos — there were too few of us

fue asombroso, todo lo que te pueda decir es poco — it was amazing, I can't (even) begin to tell you

todo le parece poco — she is never satisfied

III

- ca pronombre

1) (poca cantidad, poca cosa)

le serví sopa pero comió poca — I gave her some soup but she didn't eat much

por poco que gane... — no matter how little o however little she earns...

se conforma con poco — he's easily satisfied

poco faltó para que me pegara — he nearly hit me

lo poco que gana se lo gasta en vino — he spends the little o what little he earns on wine

compra más lentejas, nos quedan muy pocas — buy some more lentils, we've hardly any left

es un profesor como pocos — there aren't many teachers like him

pocos pueden permitirse ese lujo — not many people can afford to do that

2) poco ( refiriéndose a tiempo)

lo vi hace poco — I saw him recently o not long ago

hace muy poco que lo conoce — she hasn't known him for very long

tardó poco en hacerlo — it didn't take him long to do it

falta poco para las navidades — it's not long till Christmas

a poco de venir él — soon o shortly after he came

dentro de poco — soon

poco antes de que... — a short while o shortly before...

3) un poco

a) ( refiriéndose a cantidades) a little; ( refiriéndose a tiempo) a while

espera un poquito — wait a little while

todavía le duele un poco — it still hurts him a little o a bit

es un poco lo que está pasando en Japón — it's rather like what's happening in Japan

un poco porque me dio lástima — partly because I felt sorry for him

b)

un poco de: un poco de pimienta/vino a little (bit of) pepper/wine; come un poco de jamón — have a bit of ham

c)

un poco + adj/adv: un poco caro/tarde — a bit o a little expensive/late

4) (en locs)

a poco — (Méx)

¿a poco no lees los periódicos? — don't you read the newspapers?

a poco no está fabuloso Acapulco! — isn't Acapulco just fantastic!

a poco ganaron! — don't tell me they won!

de a poco — (AmL) gradually

agrégale la leche de a poquito — add the milk gradually o a little at a time

de a poquito se lo fue comiendo — little by little she ate it all up

en poco: en poco estuvo que no viniéramos we almost didn't come; tienen en poco la vida ajena they set little value on other people's lives; me tienes bien en poco si crees que... you can't think very highly o much of me if you think...; poco a poco gradually; poco más o menos approximately, roughly; poco menos que nearly; poco menos que la mata (fam) he almost killed her; poco menos que los echan a patadas (fam) they practically kicked them out; por poco — nearly

* * *

= little [less -comp., least -sup.], low [lower -comp., lowest -sup.], scant, trifle, tad, little in the way of.

Ex: Explanatory references give a little more explanation as to why the link between two names is being made in the catalogue or index.

Ex: Carlton Duncan discussed the difficulties built into the educational processes which led to under-performance at school and the resulting low representation in higher education and low entry into the professions.

Ex: Scant attention is paid to evaluation and the needs of users.

Ex: She had been a trifle nervous until it was formally announced that the position was hers.

Ex: Williams is one of those rare poets who satisfies the yearning that many of us have for the memorable phrase we wish we had said were our perceptions a tad keener.

Ex: Without any significant restructuring, the LIS programme in Iran will provide little in the way of riding out the rapid transition that the field is currently experiencing.

* abultar poco = be skimpy.

* acercarse poco a poco (a) = edge (toward(s)).

* actuar con poca consideración hacia = play + fast and loose with.

* agua poco profunda = shallow water.

* aguas poco profundas = shallows.

* alimentos poco saludables = unhealthy foods.

* a poca distancia = not far behind.

* a poca distancia andando = within walking distance, within an easy walk.

* a poca distancia a pie = within an easy walk, within walking distance.

* a pocos minutos andando = within walking distance, within easy walking distance, within an easy walk.

* a pocos minutos a pie = within walking distance, within easy walking distance, within an easy walk.

* avanzar poco a poco (hacia) = edge (toward(s)).

* cada pocos años = every few years.

* comida poco saludable = unhealthy foods.

* comportamiento poco cívico = uncivic behaviour.

* con muchos huesos y poca carne = bony [bonier -comp., boniest -sup.].

* 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 few exceptions.

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

* con poca claridad = indistinctly.

* con poca exactitud = loosely.

* con poca experiencia = inexperienced.

* con poca iluminación = dimly illuminated.

* con poca imaginación = unimaginatively.

* con poca naturalidad = stiltedly.

* con poca población = thinly populated.

* con pocas habilidades = poor-ability.

* con poca visión de futuro = short-sighted [shortsighted].

* con poco dinero = on the cheap.

* con poco entusiasmo = half-heartedly.

* con pocos recursos = under-resourced.

* con pocos recursos económicos = low-budget.

* consumir poco a poco = eat away at.

* con tan poca antelación = at such short notice.

* con tan poca anticipación = at such short notice.

* correr poco a poco = eat away at.

* cuestiones poco claras = grey area [gray area].

* de forma poco ética = unethically.

* de forma poco imaginativa = unimaginatively.

* de forma poco profesional = unprofessionally.

= petty criminal.

Ex: When the security services carry out acts of terror, they employ patsies who often are petty criminals or people who are mentally backward or mentally unstable.

* de manera poco ética = unethically.

* de manera poco profesional = unprofessionally.

* demasiado poco común = all too rare.

* de modo poco imaginativo = unimaginatively.

* dentro de poco = before long.

* de población poco densa = sparsely populated.

* de poca importancia = menial, small-time.

* de poca monta = hack, small-time.

* de pocas luces = dim [dimmer -comp., dimmest -sup.], dim-witted [dimwitted].

* de poco impacto = low impact [low-impact].

* de poco peso = pat, feeble.

* de poco provecho = fruitless.

* de poco uso = low-use.

* de poco valor = a dime a dozen.

* desaparecer poco a poco = fade into + the sunset.

* de todo un poco = about this and that and everything else, about this and that.

* de un modo poco constructivo = unconstructively.

* de un modo poco económico = wastefully.

* de un modo poco natural = unnaturally.

* donde cabe mucho también cabe poco = what holds a lot will hold a little.

* durar poco = be short term.

* echar poco a poco = dribble.

* el que mucho abarca poco aprieta = jack of all trades, master of none.

* en el caso poco probable de que = in the unlikely case (that).

* en muy poco tiempo = before long.

* en pocas palabras = simply put, in brief, to say the least, to put it (quite) simply, in short, to cut a long story short, bottom line, the, put simply, to make a long story short, the short story + be, simply stated.

* en poco tiempo = before very long, in quite a short time, in a short time, in a short span of time.

* en unos pocos años = within a few years.

* estar poco dispuesto = be reluctant.

* estar poco representado = underrepresent [under-represent].

* estar un poco anticuado = be some years old.

* excusa poco convincente = lame excuse.

* faltar poco (para) = have + a short way to go (before).

* faltar un poco = be some way off.

* gente de poca importancia = small fry, the.

* haber poca duda de que = there + be + little doubt that.

* hace muy poco tiempo = a short time ago.

* hace poco tiempo = a short time ago.

* hacer poca distinción entre... y... = make + little distinction between... and....

* hacer poco = do + little.

* hacer que sea poco probable = render + unlikely.

* hace unos pocos años = a few years ago.

* hace unos pocos días = a few days ago.

* hasta hace muy poco = until recently, up until recently.

* hasta hace relativamente poco tiempo = until relatively recently.

* horas de poca actividad = slack hours.

* horas de poco movimiento = slack hours.

* introducirse poco a poco = ease + Reflexivo + in.

* ir poco más allá de + Infinitivo = go little further than + Gerundio.

* llegar poco a poco = dribble in.

* lo poco común = rarity, rareness.

* mucho ruido para pocas nueces = much ado about nothing.

* mucho ruido y pocas nueces = storm in a teacup, Posesivo + bark is worse than + Posesivo + bite.

* muchos jefes y pocos trabajadores = too many chiefs and not enough Indians.

* muy poco = minimally.

* ofrecer poco = low-ball.

* operación de poca monta = one-room, one-person operation.

* pagando un poco más = at additional cost.

* parece tener poco sentido que = there + seem + little point in.

* pasar poco a poco = slide into.

* período de poca actividad = slack time.

* perro ladrador, poco mordedor = barking dogs seldom bite, Posesivo + bark is worse than + Posesivo + bite.

* poca cantidad = trickle.

* poca cosa = small fry, the.

* poca iluminación = poor lighting.

* poca importancia = unimportance, low profile.

* poca notoriedad = low profile.

* poca probabilidad = slim chance.

* poca severidad = lenience, leniency.

* pocas expectativas = low expectation.

* poca utilidad = unhelpfulness.

* poco abundante = light [lighter -comp., lightest -sup.].

* poco accesible = unapproachable.

* poco acertado = clumsy [clumsier -comp., clumsiest -sup.], injudicious.

* poco acogedor = inhospitable.

* poco aconsejable = unwise, inadvisable.

* poco adecuado = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco + Adjetivo = slightly + Adjetivo, less than + Adjetivo.

* poco afortunado = unhappy, ill-favoured [ill-favored, -USA].

* poco agraciado = ill-favoured [ill-favored, -USA].

* poco amable = off-putting, surly [surlier -comp., surliest -sup.], crusty [crustier -comp., crustiest -sup.], unkind.

* poco americano = un-American.

* poco amistoso = off-putting, unfriendly.

* poco antes de + Fecha = shortly before + Fecha.

* poco a poco = gradually, piecemeal, slowly, incrementally, at a snail's pace, little by little, bit by bit.

* poco apreciado = unappreciated.

* poco apropiado = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco apto = inapt.

* poco arriesgado = low-risk.

* poco asequible = unapproachable.

* poco atractivo = off-putting, unattractive, unglamorous, uninviting, unappealing.

* poco atrevido = unadventurous.

* poco audaz = unadventurous.

* poco aventurero = unadventurous.

* poco cabelleroso = ungentlemanlike.

* poco cálido = lukewarm.

* poco científico = hit-or-miss, unscientific.

* poco cívico = uncivic.

* poco claro = confusing, fuzzy [fuzzier - comp., fuzziest -sup.], indistinct, obscure, unclear, untidy, hazy, inconclusive, slurred, clouded, blurry [blurrier -comp., blurriest -sup.], undistinguished, uncleared, indistinctive, bleary [blearier -comp., bleariest -sup.].

* poco colaborador = unresponsive.

* poco comercial = uncommercial.

* poco competitivo = uncompetitive.

* poco complicado = uncomplicated, uncomplicatedly.

* poco comprensivo = unsympathetic.

* poco común = rare, unfamiliar, unusual, uncommon, unordinary, out of the ordinary.

* poco comunicativo = uncommunicative, reserved.

* poco confortable = uncomfortable.

* poco conocido = obscure, little known.

* poco convencido = unconvinced.

* poco convencional = unconventional.

* poco convincente = unconvincing, inconclusive, pat, feeble.

* poco convincentemente = unconvincingly.

* poco correcto = ungentlemanlike.

* poco cortés = impolite, ungentlemanlike.

* poco culto = unenlightened.

* poco decidido = half-hearted [halfhearted].

* poco definido = blurry [blurrier -comp., blurriest -sup.], bleary [blearier -comp., bleariest -sup.].

* poco denso = rarefied.

* poco deportivo = unsportsmanlike.

* poco después = soon afterwards, shortly afterwards, shortly after, not long after.

* poco después de = soon after (that), shortly after.

* poco después de que = shortly after.

* poco diestro = poor-ability.

* poco diplomático = indiscreet.

* poco dispuesto = disinclined.

* poco dispuesto a colaborar = uncooperative.

* poco ducho en las nuevas tecnologías = technologically challenged.

* poco económico = uneconomical.

* poco efectivo = ineffectual.

* poco eficaz = non-efficient.

* poco elegante = inelegant, awkward, dowdy [dowdier -comp., dowdiest -sup.].

* poco embarazoso = unembarrassing.

* poco entusiasta = half-hearted [halfhearted], lukewarm.

* poco envidiable = unenviable.

* poco estable = unsettled.

* poco estético = unaesthetic.

* poco estimulador = unchallenging.

* poco estimulante = unexciting, uninspiring, unmoving.

* poco estricto = lax.

* poco ético = unethical.

* poco evidente = unnoticed, unnoted.

* poco exigente = untaxing, undemanding.

* poco favorable = unpromising.

* poco favorecedor = unflattering.

* poco fiable = unreliable, undependable, flaky [flakey].

* poco firme = tenuous, rocky [rockier -comp., rockiest -sup.].

* poco flexible = monolithic, inelastic.

* poco frecuente = infrequent.

* poco fructífero = unfruitful.

* poco gratificante = unrewarding, unsatisfying.

* poco grato = unwelcome.

* poco hábil = poor-ability.

* poco habitual = unaccustomed.

* poco halagador = unflattering.

* poco halagüeño = unflattering.

* poco hospitalario = inhospitable.

* poco idóneo = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco iluminado = dimly illuminated.

* poco imaginativo = unimaginative.

* poco importante = menial, small-time.

* poco impresionado = unimpressed.

* poco informativo = uninformative.

* poco intelectual = lowbrow [low-brow].

* poco inteligente = unintelligent.

* poco intenso = light [lighter -comp., lightest -sup.].

* poco interesante = dull, jackdaw, uninteresting, uninspiring, unremarkable.

* poco juicioso = injudicious.

* poco justificado = ill-justified.

* poco listo = underprepared.

* poco maduro = underripe.

* poco más = little else.

* poco materialista = unworldly.

* poco memorable = forgettable.

* poco mundano = unwordly.

* poco natural = unnatural, stilted.

* poco nítido = untidy.

* poco normal = unnatural, unordinary, out of the ordinary.

* poco novedoso = trite.

* poco original = unoriginal.

* poco ortodoxo = unorthodox.

* poco poblado = thinly populated.

* poco práctico = impractical, awkward.

* poco preparado = underprepared.

* poco probable = unlikely, far-fetched [farfetched].

* poco productivo = unproductive.

* poco profesional = amateurish, unprofessional.

* poco profundo = shallow [shallower -comp., shallowest -sup.].

* poco prometedor = bleak, unpromising.

* poco propicio = unpromising, unpromising.

* poco provechoso = fruitless, unrewarding.

* poco prudente = ill-advised, ill-judged.

* poco pulido = unpolished.

* poco razonable = unreasonable.

* poco realista = unrealistic, unreal, unwordly, way out in left field, airy-fairy.

* poco recomendable = inadvisable.

* poco refinado = unrefined, unpolished.

* poco rentable = uneconomical.

* poco representativo = unrepresentative.

* poco romántico = unromantic.

* poco sabido = little known.

* poco saludable = unwholesome, insalubrious.

* poco sano = unwholesome, insalubrious.

* poco seguro = dicey [dicier -comp., diciest -sup.].

* poco sensato = ill-advised, injudicious, ill-judged.

* poco sentimental = unsentimental.

* poco serio = flippant.

* poco sincero = insincere.

* poco sistemático = sloppy [sloppier -comp., sloppiest -sup.].

* poco social = unsocial.

* poco sofisticado = elementary, unsophisticated, corn-fed.

* poco sólido = insubstantial.

* poco tiempo = short while, short time.

* poco tiempo después = shortly afterwards.

* poco tradicional = untraditional.

* poco unido = loosely knit.

* poco uniforme = patchy [patchier -comp., patchiest -sup.].

* poco usado = little-used.

* poco usual = unusual.

* poco útil = clumsy [clumsier -comp., clumsiest -sup.], unhelpful.

* poquito a poco = little by little.

* por mencionar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por mencionar uno pocos = just to name a few.

* por nombrar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por nombrar unos pocos = to name a few.

* por poco dinero = cheaply.

* por poco o nada = at little or no extra cost.

* por si era poco = for good measure.

* por si fuera poco = to boot, for good measure, to add insult to injury, to add salt to injury, to rub salt in the wound.

* prestar poca atención a = give + little thought to.

* pretexto poco convincente = lame excuse.

* quedar poco (para) = have + a short way to go (before).

* quedar un poco = be some way off.

* quedar un poco perjudicado = be a little worse prepared, be a little worse off.

* que ocupa poco espacio = space-saving.

* qué poco común = how odd.

* quien mucho abarca poco aprieta = bite off more than + Pronombre + can chew.

* reducirse poco a poco = dribble off.

* resultar poco fructífero = prove + unfruitful.

* roer poco a poco = eat away at.

* saber un poco de todo y mucho de nada = jack of all trades, master of none.

* sacar poco a poco = tease out.

* salir un poco perjudicado = be a little worse prepared, be a little worse off.

* sangre poco espesa = thin blood.

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

* ser algo poco común = be the exception rather than the rule.

* ser algo poco conocido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser algo poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo poco sabido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser de poco valor = be of little use, be of little value.

* ser muy poco probable = be remote.

* ser poco = be under-provided.

* ser poco agradecido = be thankless.

* ser poco eficaz = do + little.

* ser poco reconocido = be thankless.

* ser pocos = be few in number, be small in number.

* ser un hecho poco conocido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser un hecho poco sabido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* servir de poco = be of little use.

* servir de poco o nada = be of little or no avail.

* solución poco real = pie in the sky solution.

* tener poca información = be information poor.

* tener pocas luces = as thick as a brick, as thick as two (short) planks, as daft as a brush, knucklehead.

* tener pocas posibilidades de = have + little recourse.

* tener poco que ver = have + little to do.

* tener poco valor = be of little value.

* trabajo de poca monta = odd-job.

* un hombre de pocas palabras = a man of few words.

* unos pocos elegidos = a select few.

* un poco = a bit, somewhat, slightly, something of, a little bit, kinda [kind of].

* un poco áspero = roughish.

* un poco como = kind of like.

* un poco de = a measure of, a touch (of), a bit of, a piece of, a spot of, a splash of, a hint of.

* un poco + Nombre = a shade + Nombre.

* un poco obscuro = dusky.

* un poco perdido = a bit at sea.

* un poco rugoso = roughish.

* usado con poca frecuencia = seldom used [seldom-used].

* usuario que hace poco uso del préstamo = light borrower.

* utilizar poco = underutilise/under-utilise [underutilize/under-utilize, -USA].

* vivienda poco digna = poor housing.

* y poco más = and little more.

* * *

poco¹

adverb

[ Grammar notes (Spanish) ]

es muy poco agradecido he is very ungrateful, he isn't at all grateful

es un autor muy poco conocido he is a very little-known author

me resultó poco interesante I didn't find it very interesting, I found it rather uninteresting

habla poco he doesn't say much o a lot

duerme poquísimo she sleeps very little, she doesn't sleep very much

viene muy poco por aquí he hardly ever comes around

poco y nada me ayudaron they hardly helped me at all

… con lo poco que le gusta el arroz … and he doesn't even like rice

para locs ver poco³ pron D. (↑ poco (3))

poco² -ca

adjective

[ Grammar notes (Spanish) ] (con sustantivos no numerables) little; (en plural) few

muy poco vino very little wine

muy pocos niños very few children

hemos tenido muy poca suerte we've been very unlucky, we've had very little luck

¡qué poco sentido común tienes! you don't have much common sense, do you?

tengo muy poca ropa I have hardly any clothes, I have very few clothes

a poca gente se le presenta esa oportunidad not many people get that opportunity

hay muy pocas mujeres en el gremio there are very few women in the trade

éramos demasiado pocos there were too few of us, there weren't enough of us

fue asombroso, todo lo que te pueda decir es poco it was amazing, I can't begin to tell you

a esta mujer todo le parece poco this woman is never satisfied

me he olvidado del poco francés/de las pocas palabras que sabía I've forgotten the little French/the few words I knew

le dio unos pocos pesos she gave him a few pesos

poco³ -ca

pronoun

[ Grammar notes (Spanish) ]

A

(poca cantidad, poca cosa): le serví sopa pero comió poca I gave her some soup but she only ate a little o she didn't eat much

sírvele poco, desayunó muy tarde don't give him (too) much, he had a late breakfast

por poco que gane, siempre es otro sueldo no matter how little o however little she earns o even if she doesn't earn much, it's still another salary coming in

se conforma con poco he's easily satisfied

poco faltó para que me pegara he nearly hit me

poco y nada saqué en limpio de lo que dijo what he said made little or no sense to me

lo poco que gana se lo gasta en vino he spends the little o what little he earns on wine

compra más lentejas, nos quedan muy pocas buy some more lentils, we've hardly any left o we have very few left

es un profesor como pocos there aren't many teachers like him

pocos pueden permitirse ese lujo not many people can afford to do that

B

poco (refiriéndose a tiempo): lo vi hace poco I saw him recently o not long ago

hace muy poco que lo conoce she hasn't known him for very long, she's only known him a little while

tardó poco en pintar la cocina it didn't take him long to paint the kitchen

falta poco para las navidades it's not long till Christmas, Christmas isn't far off

a poco de terminar el bombardeo soon o shortly after the bombing stopped

dentro de poco sale otro tren there'll be another train soon o shortly

poco antes de que ella se fuera a short while o shortly before she left

C

un poco

1 (refiriéndose a cantidades) a little; (refiriéndose a tiempo) a while

¿te sirvo un poco? would you like a little o some?

descansemos un poco let's rest for a while, let's have a little rest

espera un poquito wait a little while

todavía le duele un poquitín or poquitito it still hurts him a little

2

un poco de: ponle un poco de pimienta/vino add a little (bit of) pepper/wine

tiene un poco de fiebre he has a slight fever, he has a bit of a temperature o a slight temperature ( BrE)

come un poco de jamón have a bit of o some o a little ham

3

un poco (hasta cierto punto): es un poco lo que está pasando en Japón it's rather like what's happening in Japan

un poco porque me dio lástima partly because I felt sorry for him

4 un poco + ADJ/ADV:

un poco caro/tarde a bit o a little expensive/late

me queda un poco corto it's a bit short o a little short o slightly too short (for me)

habla un poco más fuerte speak up a bit o a little

D ( en locs):

a poco ( Méx): ¿a poco no lees los periódicos? don't you read the newspapers?

¡a poco no está fabuloso Acapulco! isn't Acapulco just fantastic!

¡a poco ganaron! don't tell me they won!

nos sacamos el gordo de la lotería — ¡a poco ! we won the big lottery prize — you didn't!

de a poco ( AmL); gradually

agrégale la leche de a poquito add the milk gradually o a little at a time

de a poquito se lo fue comiendo little by little o slowly she ate it all up

en poco: en poco estuvo que nos ganaran they came very close to beating us, they very nearly beat us

en poco estuvo que no viniéramos we almost didn't come

tienen en poco la vida ajena they set little value on other people's lives

me tienes bien en poco si me crees capaz de eso you can't think very highly o much of me if you think I could do such a thing

poco a poco or ( Méx) a poquito gradually

poco a poco la fueron arreglando they gradually fixed it up, they fixed it up little by little

poco más o menos approximately, roughly

habrán gastado unos dos millones, poco más o menos they must have spent in the neighborhood o ( BrE) region of two million

poco menos que nearly

es poco menos que imposible it's well-nigh o almost o very nearly impossible

le pegó una paliza que poco menos que la mata ( fam); he gave her such a beating he almost o nearly killed her

poco menos que los echan a patadas ( fam); they practically kicked them out

por poco nearly

por poco nos descubren we were nearly found out

* * *

 

poco 1 adverbio:

◊ habla poco he doesn't say much o a lot;

es muy poco agradecido he is very ungrateful;
un autor muy poco conocido a very little-known author;
viene muy poco por aquí he hardly ever comes around;
para locs ver poco 2 4
poco 2 -ca adjetivo ( con sustantivos no numerables) little;

( en plural) few;

◊ muy poco vino very little wine;

muy pocos niños very few children;
había poquísimos coches there were hardly any cars
■ pronombre
1 (poca cantidad, poca cosa):

◊ había poco que hacer there was little to do;

por poco que gane … no matter how little o however little she earns …;
se conforma con poco he's easily satisfied;
todo le parece poco she is never satisfied;
pocos quisieron ayudar few were willing to help;
pocos pueden permitirse ese lujo not many people can afford to do that
2

◊ poco ( refiriéndose a tiempo): lo vi hace poco I saw him recently o not long ago;

hace muy poco que lo conoce she hasn't known him for very long;
tardó poco en hacerlo it didn't take him long to do it;
falta poco para las navidades it's not long till Christmas;
a poco de venir él soon o shortly after he came;
dentro de poco soon;
poco antes de que … a short while o shortly before …
3

◊ un poco

a) ( refiriéndose a cantidades) a little;

( refiriéndose a tiempo) a while;

◊ dame un poco I'll have some o a little;

espera un poco wait a while

b)

◊ un poco de a little, a bit of

c) un poco + adj/adv:

◊ un poco caro/tarde a bit o a little expensive/late

4 ( en locs)

◊ a poco (Méx): ¡a poco no está fabuloso Acapulco! isn't Acapulco just fantastic!;

¡a poco ganaron! don't tell me they won!;
de a poco (AmL) gradually, little by little;
poco a poco gradually;
poco más o menos approximately, roughly;
por poco nearly
poco,-a
I adjetivo
1 (con el sustantivo en singular) not much, little: tengo poco apetito, I haven't got much appetite
2 (con el sustantivo en plural) not many, few: conozco pocos lugares de Italia, I don't know many places in Italy
II pron (singular) little, not much
(plural) (objetos) few, not many
(personas) few people, not many people ➣ Ver nota en few
III adverbio
1 (con verbo) not (very) much, little: entiendo poco del tema, I don't understand much about the issue
2 (con adjetivo) not very: está poco claro, it's not very clear
3 (de tiempo) hace poco que nos conocemos, we met a short time ago
IV sustantivo masculino
1 (acompañado de adjetivo o adverbio) lo noté un poco molesto, I thought he was a bit annoyed
tendré que hacerlo un poco después, I'll have to do it a little later
2 (acompañando a un sustantivo) dame un poco de agua, give me a little water ➣ Ver nota en little
♦ Locuciones: a poco de, shortly after
dentro de poco, soon
poco a poco, little by little, gradually
poco antes/después, shortly before/afterwards
por poco, almost
' poco' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
abreviar
- aclimatarse
- adelgazar
- aguantar
- ahora
- alcornoque
- alentador
- alentadora
- algo
- antes
- apercibirse
- bagatela
- baja
- bajo
- brusca
- brusco
- bruta
- bruto
- buscar
- calentar
- cargada
- cargado
- cascada
- cascado
- cerebral
- chapucera
- chapucero
- chispa
- clara
- claro
- común
- cruda
- crudo
- cualquiera
- de
- dentro
- descuidada
- descuidado
- descuidarse
- desigual
- desmoronada
- desmoronado
- despatarrarse
- despistada
- despistado
- despreciable
- después
- desvaído
- disipar
- dudosa
English:
accomplice
- add to
- adjust
- aerial
- after
- afterwards
- along
- aloof
- amateurish
- balding
- bark
- belly
- bit
- black
- blind
- blow up
- boot
- by
- can
- careless
- chat
- comedown
- confusing
- cowboy
- degree
- derivative
- desultory
- disagreement
- disingenuous
- diving
- do
- dodgy
- doubtful
- dowdy
- earthy
- easy-going
- edge
- effect
- element
- evasion
- exist
- expect
- fall apart
- far-fetched
- fine
- flippant
- forge
- furnish
- fuzzy
- gradually

* * *

poco, -a

♦ adj

(singular) little, not much; (plural) few, not many;

de poca importancia of little importance;

poca agua not much water;

pocas personas lo saben few o not many people know it;

hay pocos árboles there aren't many trees;

tenemos poco tiempo we don't have much time;

hace poco tiempo not long ago;

dame unos pocos días give me a few days;

esto ocurre pocas veces this rarely happens, this doesn't happen often;

tengo pocas ganas de ir I don't really o much feel like going;

poca sal me parece que le estás echando I don't think you're putting enough salt in, I think you're putting too little salt in;

con lo poco que le gusta la ópera, y la han invitado a La Traviata it's ironic, considering how she dislikes opera, that they should have invited her to see La Traviata

♦ pron

1. [escasa cantidad] (singular) little, not much;

* * *

poco

I adj sg little, not much; pl few, not many;

un poco de a little;

unos pocos a few

II adv little;

trabaja poco he doesn’t work much;

ahora se ve muy poco it’s seldom seen now;

estuvo poco por aquí he wasn’t around much;

poco conocido little known;

poco a poco little by little;

dentro de poco soon, shortly;

hace poco a short time ago, not long ago;

desde hace poco (for) a short while;

por poco nearly, almost;

¡a poco no lo hacemos! Méx don’t tell me we’re not doing it;

de a poco me fui tranquilizando Rpl little by little I calmed down;

por si fuera poco as if that weren’t o wasn’t enough

III m

:

un poco a little, a bit

* * *

poco adv

1) : little, not much

poco probable: not very likely

come poco: he doesn't eat much

2) : a short time, a while

tardaremos poco: we won't be very long

3)

poco antes : shortly before

4)

poco después : shortly after

poco, -ca adj

1) : little, not much, (a) few

tengo poco dinero: I don't have much money

en no pocas ocasiones: on more than a few occasions

poca gente: few people

2)

pocas veces : rarely

poco, -ca pron

1) : little, few

le falta poco para terminar: he's almost finished

uno de los pocos que quedan: one of the remaining few

2)

un poco : a little, a bit

un poco de vino: a little wine

un poco extraño: a bit strange

3)

a poco Mex (used to express disbelief)

¿a poco no se te hizo difícil?: you mean you didn't find it difficult?

4)

de a poco : little by little

5)

hace poco : not long ago

6)

poco a poco : little by little

7)

dentro de poco : shortly, in a little while

8)

por poco : nearly, almost

* * *

poco¹ adj

1. (singular) not much

hay poco café there's not much coffee

has comido poco arroz you haven't eaten much rice

2. (plural) few / not many

tiene pocos amigos he has few friends / he hasn't got many friends

muy poco very little

hay muy poco té there's very little tea

poco² adv

1. (con verbos) not much

trabaja poco he doesn't work much

2. (no mucho tiempo) not long

estuve con él hace poco I was with him not long ago

llegó poco después she arrived not long after

3. (con adjetivos) not very

es poco simpática she's not very friendly

poco a poco little by little

por poco nearly

por poco se cae he nearly fell

por poco pierdo el tren I nearly missed the train

poco³ n a little / a bit

un poco de pan a bit of bread

un poco de agua a little water

tengo de sobra, toma un poco I've got plenty, take a little

poco⁴ pron

1. (singular) not much

compra café, que queda muy poco buy some coffee, there's not much left

2. (plural) few / not many

¿cuántos vinieron? pocos how many came? not many

- dar con
- dar contra
- dar por
- darse a
- darse de sí
- dárselas de Para las expresiones dar importancia, dar ejemplo, dar las gracias, dar clases, dar a conocer, dar a entender, darse prisa, ver la otra entrada. dar a (=estar orientado) [cuarto, ventana] to look out onto, overlook; [fachada] to face darle a (=hacer funcionar) [+ botón] to press; (=golpear) to hit; [+ balón] to kick dar con (=encontrar) [+ persona] to find; [+ idea, solución] to hit on, come up with dar contra (=golpear) to hit dar de dar en [+ blanco, suelo] to hit; [+ solución] to hit on, come up with darle a algn por hacer algo dar para (=ser suficiente) to be enough for 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3.

Ex: An abstract of a bibliography can be expected to note whether author affiliations are given = Es de esperar que el resumen de una bibliografía indique si se incluyen los lugares de trabajo de los autores.

Ex: Once a user is registered, a password will be issued which provides access to all or most of the data bases offered by the host as and when the user wishes.

Ex: Thus pitching instructions at the right level can be difficult.

Ex: Eventually, teachers should be able to ' hand the chalk over to the students' and take a back seat.

Ex: She also indicated in passing that in future authors would not automatically pass over the copyright of research results in papers to publishers.

Ex: This must be done in a fully commercial way, not by giving away machines or paper, nor by giving away imported books.

Ex: Similarly, equipment such as this can often give out quite a lot of heat which has to be adequately dissipated.

Ex: Most people know 'earbuds' as the cheap-o earphones you get free with a cell phone.

* acción de dar un nombre a Algo = naming.

* antes de darse cuenta = before + Pronombre + know what + happen, before + Pronombre + know it.

* con la sabiduría que da la experiencia = with the benefit of hindsight.

* cosas que dan miedo = things that go bump in the night.

* da la casualidad = as it happens.

* dale alas a tu imaginación = let + your imagination fly!.

* dando sacudidas = jerkily.

* dar el esquinazo a = give + Nombre + a wide berth.

* dar a = look onto, give onto, overlook.

* dar a Algo el nombre de = earn + Nombre + the name of.

* dar a Algo más importancia de la que tiene = oversell.

* dar a Algo una nueva dimensión = take + Nombre + into a new dimension.

* dar a Algo una nueva perspectiva = give + Nombre + a new twist.

* dar a Alguien el beneficio de la duda = give + Nombre + the benefit of the doubt.

* dar a Alguien una mano y te cogen el brazo = give + Pronombre + an inch and + Pronombre + take a mile, give + Pronombre + an inch and + Pronombre + take a mile.

* dar a Alguien una oportunidad de triunfar = give + Nombre + a fighting chance.

* dar a Alguien una palmada en la espalda = pat + Alguien + on the back for + Algo.

* dar a Alguien una palmadita en la espalda = pat + Alguien + on the back for + Algo.

* dar a Alguien una puñalada por la espalda = stab + Alguien + in the back.

* dar a Alguien una puñalada trapera = stab + Alguien + in the back.

* dar a Alguien un margen de confianza = give + Nombre + the benefit of the doubt.

* dar abasto = cope.

* dar abasto con = cope with.

* dar acceso = provide + access.

* dar acceso a = give + access to.

* dar a conocer = bring to + the attention, communicate, publicise [publicize, -USA], report, articulate, make + known.

* dar a conocer la presencia de = make + Posesivo + presence known.

* dar a entender = give to + understand, hint, send + a clear signal that, lull + Nombre + into thinking, insinuate, intimate.

* dar agua = lose + water, leak.

* dar a la calle = give onto + the street.

* dar a la caza de = chase down.

* dar Algo a conocer = get + the word out.

* dar alguna esperanza = give + some cause for hope.

* dar al traste con los planes = upset + the applecart.

* dar al traste con + Posesivo + planes = upset + Posesivo + plans, ruin + Posesivo + plans.

* dar al traste con todo = upset + the applecart.

* dar a luz = birth, deliver.

* dar a luz a = give + birth to.

* dar ánimos = give + a word of encouragement, hearten.

* dar apoyo = give + support, support, provide + support.

* dar asco = stink, disgust.

* dar aullidos = caterwaul.

* dar autoría = lend + authoritativeness.

* dar autoridad a Algo = lend + authority to.

* dar bandazos = lurch.

* dar bastante importancia a = place + great store on.

* dar brillo a = buff, buff up.

* dar buen uso a Algo = put to + good use.

* dar cabida a = accommodate, include, hold, take, make + room (for), leave + room for, leave + room for.

* dar cabida al crecimiento = accommodate + growth.

* dar caladas = puff.

* dar calidad = deliver + value.

* dar caprichos = pamper.

* dar cera = wax.

* dar chillidos = shriek.

* dar cien mil vueltas = beat + Nombre + hands down, win + hands down.

* dar clase = give + a lesson, teach + class, teach + lesson, hold + class.

* dar coba = toady, fawn (on/upon/over).

* dar comienzo a = give + a start to.

* dar como ejemplo = cite + as an example.

* dar como norma = rule.

* dar como resultado = add up to, result (in), lead to.

* dar con = hit on/upon, put + Posesivo + finger on, stumble on.

* dar conferencia = lecture.

* dar consejo sobre = give + advice on.

* dar consentimiento = give + licence.

* dar con una esponja húmeda = sponging.

* dar con una idea = hit on/upon + idea.

* dar con una solución = come up with + solution.

* dar coraje = peeve.

* dar corte = self-conscious, feel + shy.

* dar credibilidad = give + credence, lend + credence, bestow + credibility, provide + credibility.

* dar crédito = give + credence.

* dar cualquier cosa por Algo = give + an eye-tooth for/to.

* dar cuenta = render + an account of.

* dar cuenta de = account for.

* dar cuenta de Algo = be held to account.

* dar cuerda a un reloj = wind + clock.

* dar cuerpo = give + substance.

* dar cuerpo a = flesh out.

* dar cuerpo y forma a = lend + substance and form to.

* dar datos de = give + details of.

* dar de alta = discharge from + hospital.

* dar de baja = take out of + circulation.

* dar de cara a = front.

* dar de comer = feed.

* dar de lado = short-circuit [shortcircuit], give + Nombre + the cold shoulder.

* dar de lleno = hit + home.

* dar de mala gana = begrudge, grudge.

* dar de mamar = breast-feeding [breastfeeding].

* dar de mamar a = breast-feed [breastfeed].

* dar demasiada información y muy rápidamente = trot out.

* dar de qué hablar = raise + eyebrows, fuel + rumours, give + rise to rumours.

* dar de quilla = keel over.

* dar derecho a = entitle to.

* dar descanso de = give + relief from.

* dar de sí = stretch out.

* dar detalles de = give + details of.

* dar de Uno mismo = give of + Reflexivo.

* dar dinero = pay + money, donate + Posesivo + money.

* dar dirección = lend + direction.

* dar directrices = give + guidance, provide + guidance.

* dar duro = pack + a wallop.

* dar ejemplo = set + an example, lead by + example.

* dar ejemplo de = illustrate.

* dar el brazo a torcer = give in to.

* dar el brazo derecho = give + Posesivo + right arm.

* dar el do de pecho = do + Posesivo + best, pull out + all the stops, do + Posesivo + utmost.

* dar el efecto de = give + the effect of.

* dar el esquinazo = dodge.

* dar el esquinazo a = steer + clear of, steer away from.

* dar el golpe de gracia = administer + the coup de grace, deliver + the coup de grace.

* dar el nombre = label.

* dar el oro y el moro = give + Posesivo + right arm.

* dar el pecho = breast-feed [breastfeed].

* dar el pésame = pass + Posesivo + condolences.

* dar el pistoletazo de salida = fire + the starting gun.

* dar el primer paso = make + a start, take + the first step.

* dar el puntillazo a = put + an end to, bring + an end to, bring to + an end.

* dar el salto = make + the leap.

* dar el todo por el todo = give + Posesivo + all.

* dar el último empujón = go + the last mile, go + the extra mile.

* dar el último repaso = tie + the pieces together.

* dar el visto bueno = approve, clear, give + green light, give + the go-ahead.

* dar el visto bueno a una factura = clear + invoice.

* dar el/un espectáculo = make + a spectacle of + Reflexivo.

* dar empujones = shove.

* dar en el blanco = hit + the bull's eye, strike + home, put + Posesivo + finger on, hit + the truth, hit + home.

* dar en el clavo = hit + the nail on the head, be spot on, strike + home, put + Posesivo + finger on, hit + the truth.

* dar en el larguero = hit + the crossbar, hit + the crossbar.

* dar en el travesaño = hit + the crossbar.

* dar energía = energise [energize, -USA].

* dar énfasis = give + emphasis, place + stress, give + stress.

* dar énfasis a = place + emphasis on.

* dar en garantía = pawn.

* dar en la diana = hit + home.

* dar en mano = hand (over).

* dar entrada = enter.

* dar esperanza = nurture + hope, give + hope, bring + visions of.

* dar esperanzas = raise + expectations, raise + hopes.

* dar estímulo = provide + boost.

* dar evasivas = stonewall, play for + time.

* dar evidencia = furnish with + evidence.

* dar fe = attest, certify.

* dar fe de = testify (to/of), vouch (for), be testimony to.

* dar fe de que = attest to + the fact that.

* dar fin = bring to + a close, draw to + a close, wind down.

* dar forma = become + cast, give + shape, shape, mould [mold, -USA], inform.

* dar forma cuadrada = square.

* dar fruto = bear + fruit, come to + fruition.

* dar fuerte = pack + a wallop.

* dar fuerza = empower, bring + strength.

* dar gato por liebre = buy + a pig in a poke, pass off + a lemon.

* dar golpes = pound.

* dar gracias por lo que Uno tiene = count + Posesivo + blessings.

* dar gritos = shriek, shout.

* dar guerra = act up, play up.

* dar gustirrinín = tickle + Posesivo + fancy.

* dar gusto = oblige, bring + pleasure, flavour [flavor, -USA].

* dar hipo = hiccup.

* dar ideas = offer + clues.

* da rienda suelta a tu imaginación = let + your imagination fly!.

* dar ímpetu = lend + force, give + impetus.

* dar importancia = attach + importance, give + prominence, stress, give + pre-eminence, give + relevance, place + importance, give + importance.

* dar importancia a = give + weight to, place + emphasis on, attach + weight to, create + a high profile for, give + a high profile, place + weight on.

* dar importancia a Algo = put + Algo + on the agenda, be on the agenda.

* dar indicios de = show + signs of.

* dar indicios y pistas = drop + hints and clues.

* dar información = provide + information, give + information, release + information.

* dar información adicional = give + further details.

* dar información de = give + details of.

* dar interés = spice up, add + spice.

* dar la alarma = sound + alarm.

* dar la apariencia de = place + a veneer of.

* dar la bienvenida = welcome.

* dar la casualidad que + Indicativo = happen to + Infinitivo, chance to + Infinitivo.

* dar la cuenta atrás = count + Nombre + out.

* dar la enhorabuena = give + congratulations.

* dar la entrada para = make + a deposit on.

* dar la espalda = turn + aside.

* dar la idea = give + the impression that.

* dar la imagen = give + the impression that.

* dar la impresión = convey + impression, strike + Pronombre Personal, give + the impression that, confer + impression, come off as.

* dar la impresión de = contrive, conjure up + a picture of, come across as.

* dar la impresión de seriedad en el trabajo = appear + businesslike.

* dar la la lata = nag (at).

* dar la lata = play up.

* dar la mano = extend + Posesivo + hand.

* dar la mano derecha = give + Posesivo + right arm.

* dar la murga = be a pest.

* dar la noticia = give + the news.

* dar la opinión sobre = give + opinion on.

* dar la oportunidad = give + chance.

* dar la oportunidad de = present with + opportunities for, allow + the opportunity to.

* dar la oportunidad de expresarse libremente = give + voice to.

* dar la oportunidad de opinar = give + voice to.

* dar la puntilla a = put + an end to, bring + an end to, bring to + an end.

* dar largas = stonewall, play for + time, fob + Alguien + off with + Algo.

* dar las cosas masticadas = spoon-feeding [spoonfeeding], spoon-feed [spoon feed/spoonfeed].

* dar la sensación = give + a sense.

* dar la sensación de = give + the effect of.

* dar la señal = give + the word, give + the signal.

* dar la señal de alarma = sound + the clarion.

* dar la señal de alerta = sound + the clarion.

* dar la señal de estar listo = prompt.

* dar lástima = feel + sorry for, pity.

* dar la talla = be up to the mark, be up to scratch, measure up (to), be up to snuff, make + the cut.

* dar latigazos = lash.

* dar la vida = lay down + Posesivo + life, give + Posesivo + life.

* dar la vuelta = turn + Nombre + (a)round, flip, swing around, swing back, turn (a)round.

* dar la vuelta a = round, turn on + its head.

* dar la vuelta en el aire = give + a toss.

* darle a Alguien carta blanca = give + Nombre + a blank cheque.

* darle a Alguien un cheque en blanco = give + Nombre + a blank cheque.

* darle a la botella = booze.

* darle a la lengua = shoot + the breeze, shoot + the bull.

* darle a la manivela de arranque = turn + the crank.

* darle alas a Alguien = let + Nombre + do things + Posesivo + (own) way.

* darle al palique = gas.

* darle a Uno escalofríos por Algo desagradable = make + Nombre + flinch.

* darle caña = hurry up, get + a move on, put + pressure on.

* darle caña a = have + a go at, get + stuck into.

* dar lecciones = give + lessons.

* darle cien mil vueltas a Alguien = knock + spots off + Nombre.

* darle el puntillazo = nail it.

* darle la razón a Alguien = side in + Posesivo + favour.

* darle largas = play + Nombre + along.

* darle largas a Algo = drag + Posesivo + feet, drag + Posesivo + heels.

* darle la vuelta a la tortilla = turn + the tables (on).

* darle sopas con hondas a Alguien = knock + spots off + Nombre.

* darle una interpretación = give + interpretation.

* darle una lección a Alguien = school.

* darle una paliza a Alguien = take + Nombre + to the cleaners, give + Nombre + a beating, school.

* darle un buen repaso a Alguien = take + Nombre + to the cleaners.

* darle un repaso a = buff up on, brush up on.

* darle un repaso a Alguien = school.

* darle vueltas a = dwell on/upon.

* darle vueltas a Algo = mull over, agonise over [agonize, -USA].

* darle vueltas a la idea = toy with, toy with + idea of.

* darle vueltas a la idea de = flirt with + the idea of.

* darle vueltas a un asunto = chew + the cud.

* darle vueltas a un problema = puzzle over + problem.

* dar libertad = give + licence.

* dar libertad a un esclavo = manumit.

* dar libertad para + Infinitivo = afford + the freedom to + Infinitivo.

* dar lo mejor de Uno mismo = give of + Posesivo + best.

* dar los pasos necesarios = take + steps.

* dar los primeros pasos en = venture into.

* dar los últimos retoques a = put + the finishing touches on.

* dar lugar = produce.

* dar lugar a = cause, generate, give + rise to, mean, result (in), leave + room for, bring about, lead to, cause, open + the door to, give + cause to, give + occasion to.

* dar lugar a la reflexión = provide + food for thought.

* dar lugar a problemas = give + rise to problems.

* dar lugar a queja = evoke + complaint.

* dar lugar a rumores = fuel + rumours, give + rise to rumours.

* dar luz verde = give + green light, give + the go-ahead.

* dar mala impresión = look + bad.

* dar marcha atrás = do + an about-face, back up, backpedal [back-pedal].

* dar masaje = massage.

* dar más de sí = go further.

* dar más explicaciones = elaborate on.

* dar materia para la reflexión = provide + food for thought.

* dar mayor importancia a = give + pride of place to.

* dar media vuelta = do + an about-face.

* dar mejora (en) = give + improvement (in).

* dar menos de lo debido = shortchange.

* dar mucha importancia = put + a premium on.

* dar mucho en qué pensar = give + Nombre + much to think about, give + Nombre + a lot to think about.

* dar mucho valor a Algo = value + Nombre + highly.

* dar muestras de = show + signs of.

* dar + Nombre + una oportunidad = give + Nombre + a fair chance.

* dar notoriedad a = create + a high profile for, give + a high profile.

* dar nueva forma = reformat [re-format].

* dar nueva vida = give + Nombre + new life, give + a second life.

* dar opción = give + option.

* dar origen = mother.

* dar origen a = give + rise to, bring about, lead to, give + cause to, give + occasion to.

* dar otro paso muy importante = reach + another milestone.

* dar pábulo a = fuel, spark off.

* dar pábulo a rumores = fuel + rumours, give + rise to rumours.

* dar palos de ciego = grope (for/toward).

* dar pánico = scare + the living daylights out of, frighten + the living daylights out of, dread, scare + the hell out of.

* dar parte de = report.

* dar paso (a) = give + way (to), yield to, make + way (for).

* dar patadas en el estómago = stick in + Posesivo + craw.

* dar pavor = be scared stiff, be frightened to death, be petrified of, be terrified, scare + the living daylights out of, frighten + the living daylights out of, scare + the hell out of.

* dar pecho = breast-feeding [breastfeeding].

* dar pereza = can't/couldn't be bothered.

* dar permiso = give + permission, give + time off, grant + Alguien + leave.

* dar permiso en el trabajo = give + time off work.

* dar pie a = spark off, give + rise to, bring about, lead to, cause, open + the door to, give + cause to, give + occasion to.

* dar pisotones = stomp.

* dar pistas = throw + hints.

* dar pistas falsas = throw out + false leads.

* dar placer = give + pleasure, give + enjoyment.

* dar poderes = give + powers.

* dar por = tickle + Posesivo + fancy.

* dar por concluido = put to + bed, close + the book on.

* dar por culo = piss + Nombre + off.

* dar por descontado = take for + granted, discount.

* dar por hecho = take for + granted.

* dar por perdido = be past praying for, write off.

* dar por saldado = close + the book on.

* dar por seguro que = rest + assured that.

* dar por sentado = take for + granted.

* dar por sentado Algo que realmente no lo está = beg + the question.

* dar + Posesivo + vida = give + Posesivo + all.

* dar preferencia = give + preference.

* dar prestigio = lend + authoritativeness.

* dar prioridad = award + priority, emphasise [emphasize, -USA], give + priority, give + precedence, assign + priority, give + preference.

* dar prioridad a = give + pride of place to, place + emphasis on, prioritise [prioritize, -USA].

* dar prioridad a algo = make + a priority.

* dar problemas = play up.

* dar propina = tipping.

* dar pruebas = provide + evidence.

* dar publicidad = publicise [publicize, -USA], give + publicity.

* dar puntapiés = kick + Posesivo + feet.

* dar punzadas = throb, twinge.

* dar quebraderos de cabeza = give + headaches.

* dar que hablar = fuel + rumours, give + rise to rumours, raise + eyebrows.

* dar quehacer = make + trouble.

* dar rabia = incense, gall, peeve.

* dar razón de ser = bring + purpose.

* dar recompensa = mete out + reward.

* dar registro = accession.

* dar relevancia = give + relevance.

* dar relevancia a = create + a high profile for, give + a high profile.

* dar relevancia a Algo = put + Algo + on the agenda.

* dar resoplidos = chug.

* dar respuesta = provide + answer, elicit + answer, develop + answer.

* dar resultado = be successful, give + result, work, pay off, be a success, pay.

* dar resultados = produce + results.

* dar rienda suelta = unleash.

* dar rienda suelta a = give + free rein to, allow + vent for, give + vent to, vent.

* dar rienda suelta a + Nombre = let + Nombre + run riot.

* dar riqueza a = add + richness to.

* dar risitas = giggle.

* dar sabor = spice up, add + spice.

* dar salida a = vent.

* dar saltitos = hop, skip.

* dar sangre = donate + Posesivo + blood.

* darse = appear, occur.

* darse a = lend + Reflexivo + to.

* darse aires = strut.

* darse aires de grandeza = give + Reflexivo + such airs, aggrandise + Reflexivo.

* darse a la fuga = flee, lam (it), go into + hiding, make + a quick getaway, take to + Posesivo + heels, run off.

* darse a los demás = give of + Reflexivo.

* darse con un canto en los dientes = count + Reflexivo + lucky, think + Reflexivo + lucky, consider + Reflexivo + lucky.

* darse cuenta = become + aware, dawn on, detect, perceive, find, note, make + aware, come to + realise, wise up, reach + understanding, eye + catch, strike + home, suss (out), hit + home.

* darse cuenta de = be aware of, be cognisant of, realise [realize, -USA], sense, wake up to, sink in, become + cognisant of, see through.

* darse cuenta del peligro que = see + the danger that.

* darse cuenta de un problema = alight on + problem.

* darse de baja de una suscripción = unsubscribe.

* darse el caso que + Indicativo = happen to + Infinitivo, chance to + Infinitivo.

* darse el gusto de = indulge in.

* darse el gusto de comprar = splurge on.

* darse el lote = snog, neck.

* darse el lujo de = splurge on.

* darse golpes de pecho = beat + Posesivo + breast.

* darse golpes en el pecho = beat + Posesivo + breast.

* darse la mano = join + hands, shake + hand.

* dárselas de = fancy + Reflexivo.

* dársele Algo bien a Uno = be good at.

* dársele a Uno bien las plantas = have + a green thumb, have + green fingers.

* dársele a Uno mejor Algo = be better at.

* dársele mejor a Uno = do + best.

* darse media vuelta = turn on + Posesivo + heel.

* darse (muchos) aires = give + Reflexivo + such airs, aggrandise + Reflexivo.

* dar sentido = make + sense (out) of, make + sense of life.

* dar sentido a = make + meaningful, give + meaning to.

* dar sentido a las cosas = sense-making, meaning making.

* dar sentido a la vida = give + meaning to life.

* dar sentido a + Posesivo + vida = make + sense of + Posesivo + life.

* dar señales de = show + signs of.

* dar señales de vida = show + signs of life.

* darse por afortunado = count + Reflexivo + lucky, think + Reflexivo + lucky, consider + Reflexivo + lucky.

* darse por aludido = take + things personally, take + a hint, take + things personally, get + a hint.

* darse por derrotado = sound + note of defeat.

* darse por vencido = throw in + the towel, throw in/up + the sponge.

* darse prisa = hurry, hurry up, get on + Posesivo + running shoes, shake + a leg, hot-foot it to, make + haste, rattle + Posesivo + dags, get + a wiggle on, put + Posesivo + skates on, get + Posesivo + skates on, get + a move on.

* darse prisa con calma = make + haste slowly.

* dar servicio = service.

* darse una comilona = make + a pig of + Reflexivo, pig out (on).

* darse una leche = come + a cropper.

* darse un apretón de manos = clasp + hands.

* darse una situación más esperanzadora = sound + a note of hope.

* darse un atracón = make + a pig of + Reflexivo, pig out (on), stuff + Posesivo + face.

* darse una transacción económica = cash + change hands.

* darse una tripotada = make + a pig of + Reflexivo, pig out (on).

* darse una vacante = occur + vacancy.

* darse un baño de sol = sunbathe.

* darse un chapuzón = take + a dip.

* darse un descanso = give + Reflexivo + a break, rest on + Posesivo + oars.

* darse un festín de = feast on.

* darse un garbeo = mosey.

* darse un porrazo = come + a cropper.

* darse un respiro = lie on + Posesivo + oars, rest on + Posesivo + oars.

* darse un tortazo = come + a cropper.

* dar significado = imbue with + meaning.

* dar sombra = shade.

* dar su conformidad a = assent to.

* dar sugerencias = give + suggestions.

* dar terror = scare + the living daylights out of.

* dar testimonio = bear + witness, give + testimony.

* dar tiempo = give + time, donate + Posesivo + time.

* dar tiempo a Alguien = give + Nombre + some time.

* dar título = title.

* dar todo de Uno mismo = give of + Posesivo + best.

* dar todo el oro del mundo = give + Posesivo + right arm.

* dar tono = tone.

* dar trabajo = present + burden.

* dar una advertencia = raise + caveat, issue + warning.

* dar una apariencia de = provide + a semblance of, give + a semblance of.

* dar una azotaina = spank.

* dar una bofetada = cuff, slap.

* dar una bofetada a Alguien = give + Nombre + a slap in the face.

* dar una buena paliza = whitewash, thrash.

* dar una cabezadita = nap, catching 10, napping.

* dar una carcajada = give + a laugh, let out + a laugh.

* dar una charla = give + address, give + a talk, give + a presentation, give + speech.

* dar una conferencia = deliver + talk, make + a speech, give + speech, deliver + lecture, give + a lecture.

* dar una contractura muscular = pull + a muscle.

* dar una cornada = gore.

* dar una excusa = give + excuse.

* dar una explicación = present + explanation.

* dar una falsa impresión = keep up + facade, put on + an act.

* dar una fiesta = give + a party.

* dar una galleta = slap.

* dar una guantada = slap.

* dar una idea = give + idea, give + glimpse, provide + an understanding.

* dar una idea de = give + a feel for, give + indication, provide + a glimpse of, give + a flavour of, be indicative of, provide + insight into, give + a picture, give + an insight into, give + an inkling of.

* dar una idea general = put in + the picture, give + a general picture, paint + a broad picture.

* dar una imagen = convey + image, present + picture, paint + a picture, present + an image, present + a picture.

* dar una imagen de = give + an impression of.

* dar una impresión = make + an impression, leave + an impression, present + an image.

* dar una impresión de = give + an impression of.

* dar una impresión equivocada = send + the wrong signals.

* dar una lección de humildad = humble.

* dar una llamada de atención = sound + a wake-up call.

* dar una norma = give + prescription.

* dar una opinión = offer + opinion.

* dar una oportunidad = give + opportunity, provide + opportunity, grant + opportunity, present + an opportunity, create + opportunity.

* dar una oportunidad a Alguien = give + Nombre + a head start.

* dar una orden = issue + command, issue + instruction.

* dar una paliza = clobber, pummel, slaughter, knock + the living daylights out of, knock + the hell out out of, whip, whitewash, thrash, wallop, lick, baste, take + a pounding, take + a beating, belt, trounce, beat + Nombre + (all) hollow.

* dar una paliza a Alguien = beat + Nombre + up, beat + Nombre + black and blue.

* dar una patada = kick, boot.

* dar una pista = give + a hint.

* dar una posibilidad = afford + opportunity.

* dar un apretón de manos = shake + hand.

* dar una rabieta = throw + a tantrum.

* dar una razón = give + reason.

* dar una respuesta = furnish + answer, frame + response.

* dar una sacudida = give + a shake, give + a jerk.

* dar una segunda oportunidad = give + a second chance.

* dar una segunda vida = give + a second life.

* dar una solución = provide + solution, develop + solution.

* dar una solución por buena que realmente no lo es = beg + the solution.

* dar un aspecto + Adjetivo = give + a + Adjetivo + look.

* dar un ataque de nervios = have + an attack of hysterics.

* dar una torta = slap.

* dar una torta a Alguien = give + Nombre + a slap in the face.

* dar una tunda = trounce.

* dar una ventaja = give + Nombre + an edge.

* dar una ventaja a Alguien = give + Nombre + a head start.

* dar una visión = present + view, provide + an understanding.

* dar una visión general = give + a general picture.

* dar una visión global = give + overview, present + an overview, present + an overall picture, give + an overall picture, overview.

* dar una visión total = give + a complete picture.

* dar un aviso = make + warning.

* dar una voltereta = somersault, do + a somersault, summersault.

* dar una voz = holler.

* dar una vuelta de campana = capsize, somersault, do + a somersault, summersault.

* dar una vuelta en coche = go out for + a drive.

* dar un berrinche = throw + a tantrum.

* dar un beso de despedida = kiss + Nombre + goodbye.

* dar un bocado a = take + a bite out of.

* dar un bofetón = cuff, slap.

* dar un bofetón a Alguien = give + Nombre + a slap in the face.

* dar un cachete = spank, cuff, slap.

* dar un cachete a Alguien = slap + Nombre + on the wrist.

* dar un calambre = cramp.

* dar un chillido = holler.

* dar un comienzo a = give + a start to.

* dar un coscorrón = cuff.

* dar un ejemplo = give + example.

* dar un empujón = give + a boost.

* dar un golpe = knock.

* dar un golpe por detrás = rear-end.

* dar un gran paso adelante = reach + milestone.

* dar un grito = holler.

* dar un guantazo = slap.

* dar un hachazo = hack.

* dar un hervor = parboil.

* dar un impulso = kick-start [kickstart].

* dar un lavado de cara = spruce up.

* dar un manotazo = swat at, cuff, slap.

* dar un manotazo a Alguien = give + Nombre + a slap in the face.

* dar un nivel de prioridad alto = put + Nombre + high on + Posesivo + list of priorities.

* dar un nuevo acabado = refinish.

* dar un nuevo impulso = pep up.

* dar un nuevo nombre = rename.

* dar un ojo de la cara por Algo = give + an eye-tooth for/to.

* dar unos azotes = spank.

 

dar ( conjugate dar) verbo transitivo
1


déme un kilo de peras can I have a kilo of pears?;
See Also→ conocer verbo transitivo 3 b, entender verbo transitivo

2



‹información/idea› to give
3



4 ( conceder) ‹prórroga/permiso› to give;

nos dieron un premio we won o got a prize
5


dales saludos give/send them my regards;
tuve que darle la noticia I was the one who had to break the news to him


1

‹ dividendos› to pay;



venía a todo lo que daba it was travelling at full speed;
ponen la radio a todo lo que da they turn the radio on full blast
2 (causar, provocar) ‹placer/susto› to give;
‹ problemas› to cause;

el calor le dio sueño/sed the heat made him sleepy/thirsty
1 ( presentar) ‹ concierto› to give;

¿dónde están dando esa película? where's that film showing?
2

‹baile/banquete› to hold;
‹ discurso› (AmL) to make

ver tb clase 4
( realizar la accion que se indica) ‹ grito› to give;

dame un beso give me a kiss;
ver tb golpe, paseo, vuelta, etc
( considerar) dar algo/a algn por algo:

ese tema lo doy por sabido I'm assuming you've already covered that topic;
¡dalo por hecho! consider it done!
verbo intransitivo
1


[ventana/balcón] to look onto, give onto;
[fachada/frente] to face
2 (ser suficiente, alcanzar) dar para algo/algn to be enough for sth/sb;

dar de sí ‹zapatos/jersey› to stretch
3 ( arrojar un resultado):

¿cuánto da la cuenta? what does it come to?;
a mí me dio 247 I made it (to be) 247
4 ( importar):

¡qué más da! what does it matter!;
¿qué más da? what difference does it make?;
me da igual I don't mind
5 ( en naipes) to deal
1

( como castigo) to smack sb;

el balón dio en el poste the ball hit the post


2 (accionar, mover) darle a algo ‹a botón/tecla› to press sth;
‹ a interruptor› to flick sth;
‹a manivela/volante› to turn sth
3


‹ solución› to hit upon, find;
‹ palabra› to come up with
4 (hablando de manías, ocurrencias) darle a algn por hacer algo ‹por pintar/cocinar› to take to doing sth;

5 [sol/luz]:

la luz le daba de lleno en los ojos the light was shining right in his eyes
darse verbo pronominal
1 ( producirse) [fruta/trigo] to grow
2 ( presentarse) [oportunidad/ocasión] to arise
3 ( resultar) (+ me/te/le etc):



dárselas de listo to act smart


se dieron contra un árbol they crashed into a tree;
se dio dar un golpe en la rodilla he hit his knee
( considerarse) darse por algo:

ver tb aludir a, enterado 1
dar
I verbo transitivo
1 to give: dame la mano, hold my hand
2 (conceder) to give: mi padre me dio permiso, my father gave me permission
le doy toda la razón, I think he is quite right
3 (transmitir una noticia) to tell
(un recado, recuerdos) to pass on, give
dar las gracias, to thank
4 (retransmitir u ofrecer un espectáculo) to show, put on
5 (organizar una fiesta) to throw, give
6 (producir lana, miel, etc) to produce, yield
(fruto, flores) to bear
(beneficio, interés) to give, yield
7 (causar un dolor, malestar) dar dolor de cabeza, to give a headache
(un sentimiento) dar pena, to make sad
le da mucha vergüenza, he's very embarrassed
8 (proporcionar) to provide: su empresa da trabajo a cincuenta personas, his factory gives work to fifty people
9 (una conferencia, charla) to give
(impartir clases) to teach
(recibir una clase) to have
US to take
10 (presentir) me da (en la nariz/en el corazón) que eso va a salir bien, I have a feeling that everything is going to turn out well
11 (estropear) to ruin: me dio la noche con sus ronquidos, he spoilt my sleep with his snoring
12 (abrir el paso de la luz) to switch on
(del gas, agua) to turn on
13 (propinar una bofetada, un puntapié, etc) to hit, give
14 (aplicar una mano de pintura, cera) to apply, put on
(un masaje, medicamento) to give
15 (considerar) dar por, to assume, consider: lo dieron por muerto, he was given up for dead
ese dinero lo puedes dar por perdido, you can consider that money lost
dar por supuesto/sabido, to take for granted, to assume
16 (la hora, un reloj) to strike: aún no habían dado las ocho, it was not yet past eight o'clock
17 (realizar la acción que implica el objeto) dar un abrazo/susto, to give a hug/fright
dar un paseo, to go for a walk
dar una voz, to give a shout
II verbo intransitivo
1 (sobrevenir) le dio un ataque de nervios, she had an attack of hysterics
2 dar de comer/cenar, to provide with lunch/dinner 3 dar a, (mirar, estar orientado a) to look out onto, to overlook
(una puerta) to open onto, lead to: esa puerta da al jardín, this door leads out onto the garden 4 dar con, (una persona, objeto) to come across: no fuimos capaces de dar con la contraseña, we couldn't come up with the password
dimos con él, we found him 5 dar de sí, (una camiseta, bañador) to stretch, give 6 dar en, to hit: el sol me daba en los ojos, the sun was (shining) in my eyes 7 dar para, to be enough o sufficient for: ese dinero no me da para nada, this money isn't enough for me
♦ Locuciones: dar a alguien por: le dio por ponerse a cantar, she decided to start singing
le dio por nadar, he got it into his head to go swimming
dar a entender a alguien que..., to make sb understand that...
dar la mano a alguien, to shake hands with sb
dar para: el presupuesto no da para más, the budget will not stretch any further
dar que hablar, to set people talking
dar que pensar: el suceso dio que pensar, the incident gave people food for thought
dar a conocer, (noticia) to release
' dar' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
abasto
- abrigar
- acelerón
- acertar
- acogerse
- acomodar
- acreditar
- admitir
- aflojar
- agradecer
- alarma
- albergue
- alcance
- alerta
- alimentar
- alojamiento
- alta
- amagar
- apetecer
- apurar
- armar
- asesorar
- atinar
- baño
- batalla
- blanca
- blanco
- bola
- bote
- brazo
- brinco
- buena
- bueno
- cabezada
- cabida
- cada
- calabaza
- calentar
- callar
- callada
- callo
- campanada
- cancha
- cante
- cara
- carpetazo
- carrete
- casar
- chivatazo
- citar
English:
about-face
- about-turn
- act up
- advance
- amplify
- announce
- around
- attach
- attest
- back
- backpedal
- barge into
- bear
- beat
- beat up
- beg
- begrudge
- birth
- block
- bluster
- bolster
- bop
- boss about
- boss around
- bother
- bounce
- bound
- breast-feed
- brief
- buff
- bull's-eye
- butt
- call
- chase down
- checkmate
- cheer
- chime
- circle
- clout
- coach
- come across
- credence
- day
- deal
- death
- deliver
- deposit
- direct
- discharge
- disgust
[ofrecer en pago] to offer; [frutos, flores] to bear; [beneficios, intereses] to yield; [suministrar por primera vez] to connect; [suministrar tras un corte] to turn back on [concierto, interpretación] to give; [conferencia] to give; [botón, timbre] to press; Informát [sujeto: pasillo, puerta] to lead to; [sujeto: casa, fachada] to face; Formal Fam Fam Fam Esp muy Fam