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  3. Poetry & Literature

lo estaban viendo pelear hambrientamente, codo a codo por una mayor tajada de ga

English translation: in a desperate bid for/in a close/tight battle/vying closely for

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase: codo a codo por
English translation:in a desperate bid for/in a close/tight battle/vying closely for
Entered by: Carol Gullidge

19:10 Mar 2, 2007
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / novela
Spanish term or phrase: lo estaban viendo pelear hambrientamente, codo a codo por una mayor tajada de ga
ganancias...

Necesito una expresión equivalente al 'codo a codo' pero que no sea 'together' solamente. Alguna idea?
Carolyn Dorrell
Local time: 06:09
in a desperate bid for/in a close/tight battle/vying closely
Explanation:
According to Collins, "codo a codo" means "a close battle" or "neck and neck", whereas, "codo CON codo" means "together" or "side by side": ie, not the same thing.
In fact, since "pelear" doesn't have to be physical fighting, but can also mean struggling/striving hard for st, I feel sure that the context we have here leads not to vicious fisticuffs, but a struggle for a bigger cut/rakeoff/ bite of the cherry/slice of the cake, or whatever:

They watched their father struggling hungrily, in a desperate bid for a bigger share of...
OR (since I don't terribly like struggling hungrily)

they watched their father's hungry struggle for a bigger...
Selected response from:

Carol Gullidge
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:09
Grading comment
Hi Carol, thanks a lot for your help. Yes, that is the context, a struggle in a negotiation, fighting for a bigger chunk of money...basically. Thanks a lot. Carolyn
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2side by side
patricia scott
5 +1in a desperate bid for/in a close/tight battle/vying closely
Carol Gullidge
3 +1cheek by jowl
peter jackson
3 +1tooth and nail
Owen Munday
3elbow to elbow
Yvette Neisser Moreno


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
side by side


Explanation:
they were watching him fight hungrily, side by side for a bigger slice of...
or they watched him fight savagely,
arm in arm is another option, but I don't know if it fits here

los tiempos verbales, etc. - con más contexto, sería posible dar una opción más correcta

patricia scott
Spain
Local time: 12:09
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 24

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  María Eugenia Wachtendorff
44 mins
  -> Thank you María Eugenia. Un saludo.
agree  Lydia De Jorge
5 hrs
  -> Thank you Lydia. Saludos.
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7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
cheek by jowl


Explanation:
not sure if it fits the context but it's a possibility

peter jackson
Spain
Local time: 12:09
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  María Eugenia Wachtendorff
44 mins
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
tooth and nail


Explanation:
Another idea to emphasize the savageness. Just a suggestion.

Owen Munday
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:09
Works in field
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Yvette Neisser Moreno: This is a very good option.
23 mins
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
elbow to elbow


Explanation:
While it doesn't seem quite right in this context, "elbow to elbow" sounds familiar to me in English as well.

Yvette Neisser Moreno
United States
Local time: 06:09
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 12
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
in a desperate bid for/in a close/tight battle/vying closely


Explanation:
According to Collins, "codo a codo" means "a close battle" or "neck and neck", whereas, "codo CON codo" means "together" or "side by side": ie, not the same thing.
In fact, since "pelear" doesn't have to be physical fighting, but can also mean struggling/striving hard for st, I feel sure that the context we have here leads not to vicious fisticuffs, but a struggle for a bigger cut/rakeoff/ bite of the cherry/slice of the cake, or whatever:

They watched their father struggling hungrily, in a desperate bid for a bigger share of...
OR (since I don't terribly like struggling hungrily)

they watched their father's hungry struggle for a bigger...

Carol Gullidge
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:09
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 315
Grading comment
Hi Carol, thanks a lot for your help. Yes, that is the context, a struggle in a negotiation, fighting for a bigger chunk of money...basically. Thanks a lot. Carolyn

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  patricia scott: Yes,you might be right - still, more context would certainly help.
5 mins
  -> thanks, Patricia - as you say, it's easier to answer the actual question when you don't have to work out the rest od it
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