lose in translation

[ looz in tranz-ley-shuhn, trans- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

idiom

to lose or cause to lose (meaning or effectiveness) when translated into a different language, style, form, etc., or when passed through a third party:
I suspect the Gaelic inscription loses something in translation, as it seems overly cryptic.
Whenever people spread rumors, important details get lost in translation.

First recorded in 1790–1800

Browse