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  3. Geology

to squeeze a nickel out of a stone

Arabic translation: يعتصر الصخر ليستخرج قطرة ماء

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:to squeeze a nickel out of a stone
Arabic translation:يعتصر الصخر ليستخرج قطرة ماء
Entered by: Noha Kamal, PhD.

08:10 Nov 15, 2006
English to Arabic translations [PRO]
Geology
English term or phrase: to squeeze a nickel out of a stone
he has no affection for the environment but could to squeeze a nickel out of a stone
vanilla_sky
Local time: 18:32
يعتصر الصخر ليستخرج قطرة ماء
Explanation:
Well, I wouldn't go too literal on that one!
Selected response from:

Noha Kamal, PhD.
Local time: 18:32
Grading comment
أو يعتصر الصخر ليستخرج درهما
to fit the economic context more

many thanks Noha
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +2يحصل على النقود بأي طريقة
AhmedAMS
4 +3يحوّل التراب ذهباً
Mohamed Ghazal
4 +2يعتصر الصخر ليستخرج قطرة ماء
Noha Kamal, PhD.


  

Answers


10 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
يعتصر الصخر ليستخرج قطرة ماء


Explanation:
Well, I wouldn't go too literal on that one!

Noha Kamal, PhD.
Local time: 18:32
Native speaker of: Arabic
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
أو يعتصر الصخر ليستخرج درهما
to fit the economic context more

many thanks Noha

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Amgad: I think you gave a communicative (fitting to the field) translation. He is someone that does not care for the environment though he does something useful to it
45 mins
  -> Thank you, Amgad.
agree  Eman Riesh: Yes, this is the nearest to the original text and more reflective for the meaning too.
2 hrs
  -> Thank you for your comment, too, Jasmen dear :)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

28 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
يحصل على النقود بأي طريقة


Explanation:
أو يحقق انجازات مادية بأي طريقة
أو يطلـّع القرش من الحجر

The nickel here is not the metal but the U.S. coin worth of 5 cents. So, the idea is not about achieving miracles in general but making money in particular.

AhmedAMS
Russian Federation
Local time: 20:32
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic, Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Mohamed Ghazal: يطلـّع القرش من الحجر Bull's eye
4 mins
  -> Thank you.
agree  Mohamed Elsayed
4 hrs
  -> Thank you.
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31 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
يحوّل التراب ذهباً


Explanation:
When you squeeze a nickel out of a stone, you basically are very good at making money out of anything.

Mohamed Ghazal
United Arab Emirates
Local time: 20:32
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  AhmedAMS
18 mins
  -> Thanks
agree  Iman Khaireddine
39 mins
  -> Thanks
agree  Mohamed Elsayed
1 hr
  -> Thanks
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