no ser para tanto

Popularity
500+ learners.
USAGE NOTE
This idiom may be literally translated as "to not be for so much."
no ser para tanto(
noh
 
sehr
 
pah
-
rah
 
tahn
-
toh
)
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
intransitive verb phrase
1.
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
(idiom)
(used to play something down)
a. to not be all it's cracked up to be
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
(idiom)
Todos hablan maravillas de la película, pero no es para tanto.Everybody's praising the movie to the skies, but it's not all it's cracked up to be.
b. to not be such a big deal
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
(idiom)
Estuve en los Carnavales de Río y, la verdad, no creo que sean para tanto.I was at the Rio carnival, and, to be honest, I don't think it's such a big deal.
c. not to be that good (something seemingly very good)
Dicen que es la mejor novela americana de este siglo. - No será para tanto.They say it's the best American novel of the century. - It can't be that good.
d. not to be that bad (something seemingly very bad)
Sufrir un atasco a diario para ir a trabajar debe de ser un infierno. - Bueno, no es para tanto.Getting stuck in a traffic jam every day on the way to work must be hell. - Well, it's not that bad.
e.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Casi se estrella el avión. - Vamos, Charlie. No fue para tanto. Solo unas turbulencias.The plane almost crashed. - Come on, Charlie. It wasn't as bad as all that. Just some turbulence.
¿Por qué no me llamaste o me mandaste un mensaje? - Se me olvidó. Vamos, cariño. No es para tanto.Why didn't you call or text me? - I forgot. Come on, honey. There's no need to be like that about it.
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