"ir con la cabeza partida": idiom?

Question

I'm translating a personal testimony written in the 30's or 40's. I came across this phrase which when translated literally doesn't seem right. Is it an idiomatic expression? If it is, what can it be its equivalent in English?

I write here the whole sentence and highlight the phrase I'm asking about:

Debemos estar dispuestos a todo, incluso a ir con la cabeza partida.

The meaning is literal, look at waltieco and margaret's posts - 00494d19, May 30, 2010

Answer 1

I think that what this soldier means is:

We need to be prepared for anything, including carrying on with our heads split open.

In the context of war, this makes sense to me. Keep in mind that the phrase does not only refer to having our skulls literally split open; it can also mean having a head wound that is bleeding profusely.

indeed, getting my vote - 00494d19, May 30, 2010

I think this is more like it. He was telling his friend and co-soldier that they should be ready to do anything for the convictions/cause they're fighting for in the war. - mafaldaspeaks, Jun 3, 2010

"Ir con la cabeza partida" then expresses the willingness to go to extremes physically and/or figuratively. - mafaldaspeaks, Jun 3, 2010

Answer 2

Well there is 'partirse la cabeza a alguien' which just means 'to split someone's head open'!! So my attempt would be 'We must be ready for anything even going with our head's split open'. We could analyze that further and remember that 'cabeza' can also mean 'head' as in 'leadership'...

yes, that is it;) - 00494d19, May 30, 2010

Answer 3

HI , Welcome to the forum

What is the context of this piece? I can only think of a literal translation.

It's from a soldier who fought in the Spanish civil war and he was writing to a friend about holding on to their convictions. - mafalda, May 30, 2010

Answer 4

ir con la cabeza partida.

I've never heard this phrase, but the immediate though that comes to mind is, Going off half cocked (The author is possibly talking about being ready to do whatever is necessary, even without thinking it through).

Can't agree that he's not thinking - he's trying to balance two conflicting ways of thought, his pre-war and his military existences - geofc, May 31, 2010

Answer 5

Sounds to me as if he's living with a need to be schizophrenic, "con la cabeza partida", maintaining his own mindset at the same time as living from day to day with a different, military, mindset.

It's not an uncommon theme for soldiers, particularly non-professional, conscripted, soldiers. Quite a number of the writers of the First World War express it.

See mafalda's comment on Heidita's post - "holding on to their convictions".

Interesting possibility! I wonder if more context from the original would shed more light on the matter? - waltico, May 30, 2010

Thanks waltieco - it's so obvious to me that he's talking about the inside of his head, his mind, not about a split skull. - geofc, May 30, 2010

Answer 6

A common expression in English is being half minded about doing something, perhaps he is being torn in two directions whether to fight or run.

Answer 7

It means to go with the head party.

I don't think so. In the original phrase, "cabeza" is the noun and "partida" is the adjective. - waltico, May 30, 2010

Answer 8

To approach with an open mind?

Answer 9

One definition of "partida" is "party of soldier" like as a gang or group. Maybe he is talking of keeping the mindset/attitude of a soldier/warrior.

Answer 10

What does "tener la alma partida" mean?