Like a fly on the wall

Question

Is there an expression in Spanish similar to this?

"I was like a fly on the wall." Means that no one noticed that I was there and I could listen to everything.

"I wish I could be a fly on the wall...." I wish that I could observe or listen to that unnoticed.

I don't think that you'd actually say "como una mosca en la pared" but I don't know what you say.

Thanks.

Answer 1

"I wish I could be a fly on the wall...." I wish that I could observe or listen to that unnoticed.

In Argentina is a very popular saying... It's really strange no one knows it!!

We say "Quisiera ser una mosca". Then you can add something or not ".... para verte con él en la fiesta" "... para verte cómo eres en clases" "... para ver qué haces con tus amigos"

.

Btw, I didn't know there was the same expression in English .

Hope it helps!!

Terrific! I was beginning to think that it didn't exist. In English, you have to add the "on the wall" at least I don't think that anyone would just say "I'd like to be a fly." Thanks :) - alba3, Mar 29, 2010

Answer 2

to be like a fly on the wall.

I think you can translate as "estar presente, estar allí, ser invisible".

You could say:

I’d like to have been a fly on the wall when he told her (me habría gustado estar allí or ver su reacción cuando se lo dijo);

The idea is that you would have wanted to be there but without being seen to see the reaction of the other person. Then, I think this sentence could be translated in several ways:

me habría gustado estar allí presente cuando se lo dijo

me habría gustado ver su reacción cuando se lo dijo

me habría gustado ser invisible y estar allí para ver su reacción cuando se lo dijo

I think there is no only one translation for that.

Answer 3

Alba, this is what I have found in the dictionary.

to be a fly on the wall: I’d like to have been a fly on the wall when he told her (me habría gustado estar allí or ver su reacción cuando se lo dijo);

I think the expression more similar is "ser invisible".

Answer 4

Se me ocurre la expresión "Como pintado en la pared". However, that really means something more like "hello, I'm standing right there and I am being ignored!"

get that in the phrasebook!!! :) - mountaingirl123, Mar 28, 2010

Done. :-) - Gekkosan, Mar 29, 2010

Answer 5

Hola amiga: Pues no se me ocurre nada ocurrente, valga la redundancia.

En mi tierra decimos:

Me sentía como si no estuviera.

Answer 6

Alba, have you looked in the phrasebook?

I just did and it's not in there so why don't you suggest it before someone beats you to it. - Yeser007, Mar 25, 2010