A1 Idiom Informal

A da cu piciorul

To kick away / waste

Significado

To waste a good opportunity.

🌍

Contexto cultural

In Romania, 'noroc' (luck) is a very common greeting and concept. Kicking it away is seen as a major life error. The phrase is equally common in the Republic of Moldova, often used with a slightly more Russian-influenced intonation but the same meaning. In villages, the phrase might be used more literally regarding livestock or tools, but the figurative meaning remains strong. Used frequently in the tech startup scene when discussing VC funding or partnership offers.

💡

Use with 'noroc'

The most natural way to use this is with 'noroc' (luck). It sounds very native.

⚠️

Don't forget 'cu'

Saying 'a da piciorul' sounds like you are literally handing someone a severed leg. Always use 'cu'!

Significado

To waste a good opportunity.

💡

Use with 'noroc'

The most natural way to use this is with 'noroc' (luck). It sounds very native.

⚠️

Don't forget 'cu'

Saying 'a da piciorul' sounds like you are literally handing someone a severed leg. Always use 'cu'!

🎯

Dative Case

If you want to sound advanced, use the dative: 'I-am dat cu piciorul șansei' (I kicked the chance).

Ponte a prueba

Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'a da cu piciorul'.

Dacă nu accepți acest job, ______ unei mari oportunități.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: dai cu piciorul

The full idiom requires 'cu' and the verb 'a da' conjugated for 'tu'.

Which situation best fits the idiom 'a da cu piciorul'?

Situation:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: B

Ion is wasting a great opportunity (a free trip) for a trivial reason.

Match the Romanian phrase with its English meaning.

Match these:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 1-B, 2-A, 3-C

Distinguishing between literal and figurative use is key.

Complete the dialogue.

Andrei: 'Am primit o bursă în America, dar mi-e frică să merg.' Ioana: 'Ești nebun? ______!'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Nu da cu piciorul!

This is the standard way to encourage someone not to waste a chance.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'a da cu piciorul'. Fill Blank A1

Dacă nu accepți acest job, ______ unei mari oportunități.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: dai cu piciorul

The full idiom requires 'cu' and the verb 'a da' conjugated for 'tu'.

Which situation best fits the idiom 'a da cu piciorul'? Choose A2

Situation:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: B

Ion is wasting a great opportunity (a free trip) for a trivial reason.

Match the Romanian phrase with its English meaning. Match B1

Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 1-B, 2-A, 3-C

Distinguishing between literal and figurative use is key.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

Andrei: 'Am primit o bursă în America, dar mi-e frică să merg.' Ioana: 'Ești nebun? ______!'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Nu da cu piciorul!

This is the standard way to encourage someone not to waste a chance.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

4 preguntas

It can be a bit blunt, as it implies they are making a mistake. Use it with friends, not your boss.

Yes, but it's usually reserved for more significant opportunities like jobs or travel.

The opposite is 'a profita de o ocazie' (to take advantage of an opportunity).

Usually, yes. It implies that what you kicked away was actually good.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

A irosi

synonym

To waste

🔗

A rata o ocazie

similar

To miss an opportunity

🔗

A prinde ocazia de aripi

contrast

To catch the opportunity by the wings

🔗

A-și bate joc

builds on

To make a mockery of something

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