“Water off a duck’s back”

Play episode
Join the discussion

3 comments
  • In Vietnamese, we say ‘Nước đổ đầu vịt (water off a duck’s head) or ‘Nước đổ lá khoai (water off khoai leaves).

  • My name is Severino Ramos. I am from Brazil and I live in São Paulo City.
    Dear Spotlight team and Andrew Devis
    How is it going?

    The Word of the Day! Water off a duck’s head.

    First, I would like to tell you that I like the word of the day so much. I learn so much from it. Thank you so much for bringing us one more word of the day.
    This water off a duck’s head, is a very interesting British Idiom. I didn’t know it. Thanks!
    So, here we have a Brazilian idiom to say the same thing as your British idiom.
    We use these words: It went in one ear and out the other. Or, what comes from below doesn’t affect me.
    Translating them into my mother tongue, It means: It went in one ear and out the other. Or What comes from below doesn’t reach me.
    However, these words are slangs. They are not a formal way to say them. They are not polite to say them even if the idiom has impacted you, but many people use them here.
    I appreciate it
    Have a nice day and stay with God
    Severino Ramos

    • Translating them into my mother tongue, It means: It went in one ear and out the other. Or What comes from below doesn’t reach me. Entrou por um ouvido e saiu pelo otro. Ou O que vem de baixo não me atinge.

Episode 22