σηκώνει πολύ νερό
- Thread starter Theseus
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SBE
¥
Σηκώνει here means require/ take.
Not knowing the context I would say that it means that a lot of effort/ discussion/ something else (a lot of dilution, perhaps) would be required.
But it also means that something is of doubtful quality. For example: αυτά τα παραδείγματα σηκώνουν πολύ νερό (they do not fulfill their purpose).
English equivalents: this is stretching it a bit.
Η υπόθεση σηκώνει τσιγάρο: from an old tv ad, where someone asks something difficult and someone light up to take a break and think about it.
Not knowing the context I would say that it means that a lot of effort/ discussion/ something else (a lot of dilution, perhaps) would be required.
But it also means that something is of doubtful quality. For example: αυτά τα παραδείγματα σηκώνουν πολύ νερό (they do not fulfill their purpose).
English equivalents: this is stretching it a bit.
Η υπόθεση σηκώνει τσιγάρο: from an old tv ad, where someone asks something difficult and someone light up to take a break and think about it.
Another English equivalent, closer to water but in the opposite direction, a negative:
hold water: often with negative (of a statement, theory, or line of reasoning) appear to be valid, sound, or reasonable.
‘this argument just does not hold water’
More or less the same situation, from another point of view; if something requires a lot of water, it does not hold it well.
It may be διάτρητο, full of holes, leaking.
As for "more diluted", it's watered down.
Theseus
¥
Like Sherlock Holmes’s a “three-pipe problem” in "The Red-Headed League" (1891), requiring an interval of quiet, creative thought. I first came across the phrase in the thread φέρνω / ρίχνω / πιάνω (κάποιον) στο φιλότιμο by Nickel, #4 by Sarant:
Πολύ ενδιαφέρον, αν και η τελευταία παράγραφος ή μάλλον οι τρεις τελευταίες αράδες σηκώνουν πολύ νερό —διότι υπάρχει το «αφιλότιμος» σαν ήπια βρισιά ιδίως προς άταχτα παιδιά. Π.χ.
Μπιτ ξεμυαλισμένο είναι τ’ αφιλότιμο, γκρίνιασε πάλι τ’ απόγεμα ο κύριος Παντελής. Μέσα στον καφέ που μου έφερε βρήκα μια μύγα (το λέει για τη μικρή τους υπηρέτρια).
Thanks for your reply.:)
Πολύ ενδιαφέρον, αν και η τελευταία παράγραφος ή μάλλον οι τρεις τελευταίες αράδες σηκώνουν πολύ νερό —διότι υπάρχει το «αφιλότιμος» σαν ήπια βρισιά ιδίως προς άταχτα παιδιά. Π.χ.
Μπιτ ξεμυαλισμένο είναι τ’ αφιλότιμο, γκρίνιασε πάλι τ’ απόγεμα ο κύριος Παντελής. Μέσα στον καφέ που μου έφερε βρήκα μια μύγα (το λέει για τη μικρή τους υπηρέτρια).
Thanks for your reply.:)
"Very interesting, although the last paragraph or rather the last three lines don't hold much water..."
cougr
¥
Πολύ ενδιαφέρον, αν και η τελευταία παράγραφος ή μάλλον οι τρεις τελευταίες αράδες σηκώνουν πολύ νερό......
I can't think of a suitable idiomatic expression in English at the moment but "σηκώνουν πολύ νερό" in this case could also be interpreted as implying that it's a huge topic requiring further discussion.
I can't think of a suitable idiomatic expression in English at the moment but "σηκώνουν πολύ νερό" in this case could also be interpreted as implying that it's a huge topic requiring further discussion.
pontios
Well-known member
The last three lines (οι τρεις τελευταίες αράδες) allow an ocean of interpretive possibilities? ... an ocean of possibilities? (Οι ωκεανοί σηκώνουν πολύ νερό!) :cheek:
Themis†
¥
Θα έλεγα ότι μια δήλωση ή άποψη "σηκώνει πολύ νερό" όταν υπάρχουν σοβαροί λόγοι να μην παρθεί τοις μετρητοίς αλλά να σχετικοποιηθεί, όταν δηλαδή υπάρχουν αμφιβολίες ή αβεβαιότητες που υποσκάπτουν την απόλυτη ισχύ της. So this expression does not invalidate the original statement or opinion but warns that it should not be taken at face value.
pontios
Well-known member
Καλή εξήγηση, Θεμη.
Open-ended?
An open-ended statement/opinion/question, etc?
Μια δήλωση/άποψη "σηκώνει πολύ νερό" when it "is open-ended"?
Themis†
¥
Η έννοια έχει πλήρως εξηγηθεί σε αυτό το νήμα, αλλά το αγγλικό αντίστοιχο παραμένει an open-ended question. Το open-ended νομίζω ότι στις περισσότερες περιπτώσεις θα ταίριαζε μόνο αν το έλεγε ο ίδιος που εκφράζει το statement/opinion/question, και όχι ένας συνομιλητής που αμφισβητεί. Μια γενικότερης ισχύος αντιστοίχιση ίσως θα ήταν το there are many ifs and buts.
pontios
Well-known member
Why not just "iffy" or "up in the air", then? air/water - what's the difference?
The statement is iffy = the statement is "up in the air " = η δήλωση σηκώνει πολύ νερό?
pontios
Well-known member
...
No idiomatic flavour but: that statement is debatable / arguable / disputable / questionable / dubious.
It may hold water, but then again it may not.
A fishy statement (on the other hand) may hold no water, but at least it can swim in it (even if it's dead in the water). ;)
dominotheory
Member
.....
Maybe not exactly fishy, but like, you know, someone – no matter if they've done it knowingly or not – has muddied the waters (hi, daeman ;)) and the whole thing depends on how you see it, το πράγμα, δηλαδή, σηκώνει πολύ νερό.
Neck Deep - Smooth Seas Don't Make Good Sailors (Official Montage Video)
Maybe not exactly fishy, but like, you know, someone – no matter if they've done it knowingly or not – has muddied the waters (hi, daeman ;)) and the whole thing depends on how you see it, το πράγμα, δηλαδή, σηκώνει πολύ νερό.
Neck Deep - Smooth Seas Don't Make Good Sailors (Official Montage Video)
The leaves fell off as I did,
I guess it held some kind of meaning.
I've been lying in this bed of nails,
That let the wind out of my sails.
She left me on the bridge she's burning;
Hell, maybe I deserve it.
I'm just trying to find my purpose,
I hope that it's all worth it.
There will come a time,
When you will face your life,
Don't let it twist and tear you up inside
The world's a fucked up place,
but it depends on how you see it
Life is full of change,
you grow up and then you feel it.
But smooth seas don't make good sailors,
Jump ship and head for failure,
Find yourself a tragedy,
Slowly lose your sanity.
I'll be alright, your bark was worse than your bite.
Left a scar that faded with time,
Echoed out to the back of my mind.
There will come a time,
When you will face your life,
Don't let it twist and tear you up inside
The world's a fucked up place,
but it depends on how you see it
Life is full of change,
you grow up and then you feel it.
But smooth seas don't make good sailors,
Jump ship and head for failure,
Find yourself a tragedy,
Slowly lose your sanity.
I've been walking round in circles,
cursed every corner of this town,
Will I make it out?
If I do then it's a godsend.
I caught a bullet in-between my teeth
Could this finally be the end?
There will come a time,
When you will face your life,
Don't let it twist and tear you up inside
The world's a fucked up place,
but it depends on how you see it
Life is full of change,
you grow up and then you feel it.
But smooth seas don't make good sailors,
Jump ship and head for failure,
Find yourself a tragedy,
Slowly lose your sanity.
I guess it held some kind of meaning.
I've been lying in this bed of nails,
That let the wind out of my sails.
She left me on the bridge she's burning;
Hell, maybe I deserve it.
I'm just trying to find my purpose,
I hope that it's all worth it.
There will come a time,
When you will face your life,
Don't let it twist and tear you up inside
The world's a fucked up place,
but it depends on how you see it
Life is full of change,
you grow up and then you feel it.
But smooth seas don't make good sailors,
Jump ship and head for failure,
Find yourself a tragedy,
Slowly lose your sanity.
I'll be alright, your bark was worse than your bite.
Left a scar that faded with time,
Echoed out to the back of my mind.
There will come a time,
When you will face your life,
Don't let it twist and tear you up inside
The world's a fucked up place,
but it depends on how you see it
Life is full of change,
you grow up and then you feel it.
But smooth seas don't make good sailors,
Jump ship and head for failure,
Find yourself a tragedy,
Slowly lose your sanity.
I've been walking round in circles,
cursed every corner of this town,
Will I make it out?
If I do then it's a godsend.
I caught a bullet in-between my teeth
Could this finally be the end?
There will come a time,
When you will face your life,
Don't let it twist and tear you up inside
The world's a fucked up place,
but it depends on how you see it
Life is full of change,
you grow up and then you feel it.
But smooth seas don't make good sailors,
Jump ship and head for failure,
Find yourself a tragedy,
Slowly lose your sanity.
cougr
¥
Going by all the above, I can only surmise that "σηκώνει πολύ νερό", in figurative terms means something to the extent of:
is awash, brimming, bursting, overflowing...with a range of possible meanings and interpretations, contention or questionable claims and is clouded in ambiguity, doubts and uncertainties :)
is awash, brimming, bursting, overflowing...with a range of possible meanings and interpretations, contention or questionable claims and is clouded in ambiguity, doubts and uncertainties :)
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