Thread: Сейчас дождь пойдет!

Is there an exact English phrase for "Сейчас дождь пойдет" as said to somebody when he/she finally does a thing that he/she has been postponing for very long time? However, it doesn't always relate to procrastination. The reason could be the failure or inability to solve a problem until a certain moment. If there is no exact equivalent, what is the next best approximation?

Example:

Представляешь, он наконец-то прибрался в своей комнате. Точно дождь пойдет!

Maybe "It's about time" would be appropriate?

"It's about time" sounds fine but is not that metaphorical as the one about the rain. I was told another version today. It is good for conditional sentences with "if" or "when"....

If he cleans his room than elephants will fly
Если он приберется в комнате, то точно дождь пойдет!

Что-то наш вечный пессимист вдруг развеселился. К дождю что-ли? По-украински это будет: Щото в лісі здохло.

I can't think of the expression you are looking for so here is another that may be useful for someone.

It'll be a cold day in Hell when I speak perfect Russian.

Originally Posted by Lampada

Что-то наш вечный пессимист вдруг развеселился. К дождю что-ли? По-украински это будет: Щось у лісі здохло.

Про дождь не приходилось слышать. А вот "(Наверное) что-то в лесу сдохло" сплошь и рядом.
Это что, специфически украинское? В России нигде так не говорят?

Originally Posted by MasterAdmin

"It's about time" sounds fine but is not that metaphorical as the one about the rain. I was told another version today. It is good for conditional sentences with "if" or "when"....

If he cleans his room then pigs will fly
Если он приберется в комнате, то точно дождь пойдет!

We usually say pigs will fly
But you asked specifically in the case he actually did clean the room, then you could play off that metaphor

He is cleaning his room, pigs are now flying high and in formation!

But I of course just made that up... but everyone would understand!

Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie

He is cleaning his room, pigs are now flying high and in formation!

Good one!

If you play out the Russian metaphor like this then you switch from raining to raining cats and dogs to snowing.

There's also the phrase "to be a monkey's uncle".

If he cleans his room, then I'll be a monkey's uncle.

A kiwi phrase I assume! First time it crosses my eyes!

Another one: got off the dime

get off the dime
Take action, especially following a time of indecision or delay. For example, It's time this administration got off the dime and came up with a viable budget. This expression originated in the 1920s in dance-halls as an imperative for dancers to get moving. By 1926 it had been extended to other activities.

http://www.answers.com/topic/get-off-the-dime

"What they had a habit of doing was having ideas of their own, putting them in the mix and listening to the range of opinion and then making a decision and moving forward. Sometimes when you make a decision and move forward, it's wrong," he said, but "they got off the dime and did something. I don't see that happening today."

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/speci ... ads/3.html

Wow, I finally got off the dime on the beginning of that chapter -- and wrote 3200 words yesterday and today (mostly today).

http://www.toobeautiful.org/notes.pdf (page 34)

Originally Posted by DDT

I can't think of the expression you are looking for so here is another that may be useful for someone.

It'll be a cold day in Hell when I speak perfect Russian.

When Hell freezes over

Simply: "At long last" (you did it). Perhaps "better late than never" fits. Phrases like "when hell freezes over", "Pigs might fly" are used when something will never happen. Another is "He will never do x while he's got a hole in his arse".

Originally Posted by Dave T

Simply: "At long last" (you did it). Perhaps "better late than never" fits. Phrases like "when hell freezes over", "Pigs might fly" are used when something will never happen. Another is "He will never do x while he's got a hole in his arse".

This must be a strictly British expression

I don't get the Russian saying... What is so unexpected about rain?

Originally Posted by MasterAdmin

Is there an exact English phrase for "Сейчас дождь пойдет" as said to somebody when he/she finally does a thing that he/she has been postponing for very long time? However, it doesn't always relate to procrastination. The reason could be the failure or inability to solve a problem until a certain moment. If there is no exact equivalent, what is the next best approximation?

Example:

Представляешь, он наконец-то прибрался в своей комнате. Точно дождь пойдет!

"Сейчас дождь пойдет" = Well, I'll be darned. (An element of surprise/disbelief).
Well, I'll be darned... he is finally cleaning his room!

Many hits on Google. Here are just a few:

Well, I'll be darned. I did meet with Belize's Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries today. (He's also the area representative for Toledo district.) ...
www.travelingtiger.com/tiensblog/guatem ... arned.html


Well I'll be darned: Somebody actually saw that movie? Posted by: doodlius Posted on: 05/18/04 You are currently a: Guest | Login? | Terms of Use ...
talkback.zdnet.com/5208-9584-0.html?forumID=1&threadID=3335&messageID=69420&sta rt=36

Well, I'll be darned... …I just learned today that Neil Diamond's song Cracklin' Rosie is really him singing about a bottle of wine. ...
ishouldhavesaid.blogspot.com/2006/05/well-ill-be-darned.html