This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Dutch to English
  3. General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

punten en komma's overnemen

English translation: to (merely) scratch at the surface

12:15 Sep 20, 2010
Dutch to English translations [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Dutch term or phrase: punten en komma's overnemen
"Een meerderheid van de goederenvervoerders vindt dat X te weinig doet met hun opmerkingen tijdens het consultatieprocess: [zij zeggen] 'X neemt alleen de punten en komma’s over'"

Does this mean something like 'X only integrates the unimportant/minor details in its report'...?
Oliver Pekelharing
Netherlands
Local time: 09:43
English translation:to (merely) scratch at the surface
Explanation:
Just a suggestion related to taking a superficial interest in something.

I would proffer that using "at" here is critical to the idiom. It adds nuance in the sense of this being a deliberate action that is indicative of disinterest (as opposed to one having indeed taken an inveterate interest in a topic, only to find out later that they really don't know much at all about it and, thereby, have merely scratched the surface).
Selected response from:

Bryan Crumpler
United States
Local time: 03:43
Grading comment
Clever solution, though I've opted to leave the quote untranslated, so I won't use it!
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3to (merely) scratch at the surface
Bryan Crumpler


Discussion entries: 8





  

Answers


4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
[alleen de] punten en komma's overnemen
to (merely) scratch at the surface


Explanation:
Just a suggestion related to taking a superficial interest in something.

I would proffer that using "at" here is critical to the idiom. It adds nuance in the sense of this being a deliberate action that is indicative of disinterest (as opposed to one having indeed taken an inveterate interest in a topic, only to find out later that they really don't know much at all about it and, thereby, have merely scratched the surface).

Bryan Crumpler
United States
Local time: 03:43
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 15
Grading comment
Clever solution, though I've opted to leave the quote untranslated, so I won't use it!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tina Vonhof (X): That would be a good translation imo.
8 hrs
agree  Elien Coppens: nice idiom!
14 hrs
agree  Elsje Apostel: nice one !
16 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search