World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesNon farebbe male a una mosca
Pronunciation / Transliteration: non farrebbe male a una moska
"Sembra burbero, ma non farebbe male a una mosca."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
1 sense- 1
To be extremely shy, timid, or quiet; incapable of hurting or offending anyone.
"Despite his intimidating size, he wouldn't say boo to a goose."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Originating in the 19th century in British and Irish English, this idiom plays on the notion that even a timid bird like a goose might be frightened by a sudden sharp noise like 'boo'. Over time, the phrase crystallized to describe individuals who are exceptionally shy, gentle, and harmless.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Wouldn't say boo to a goose"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Wouldn't say boo to a goose" is said worldwide
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Ne pas faire de mal à une mouche
Transliteration: nə pa fɛʁ də mal a yn muʃ
"Il est si timide qu'il ne ferait pas de mal à une mouche."
Kein Wässerchen trüben können
Transliteration: kaɪn ˈvɛsɐçən ˈtryːbən ˈkɔnən
"Er sieht gefährlich aus, aber er kann kein Wässerchen trüben."
Non farebbe male a una mosca
Transliteration: non farrebbe male a una moska
"Sembra burbero, ma non farebbe male a una mosca."
No matar una mosca
Transliteration: no maˈtaɾ u.na ˈmos.ka
"Parece muy serio, pero no mataría una mosca."
Não faria mal a uma mosca
Transliteration: nɐ̃w fɐˈɾi.ɐ mal a ˈu.mɐ ˈmɔs.kɐ
"Ele é tão calmo que não faria mal a uma mosca."
बहुत सीधा होना
Transliteration: bahut seedha hona
"वह दिखने में बड़ा है पर किसी का दिल नहीं दुखा सकता।"
胆小怕事
Transliteration: dǎn xiǎo pà shì
"他这个人性格温和，连一只苍蝇都不忍心伤害。"
파리 한 마리도 못 죽일 사람
Transliteration: pari han marido mot jukil saram
"그 사람은 너무 순해서 파리 한 마리도 못 죽일 사람이에요."
物言いは穏やかで気弱な
Transliteration: monoi-i wa odayaka de kiyowaka na
"彼は見た目に反して、虫も殺さないような温和な人だ。"
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