Translation Article Number 691: Idioms “comb through, cover one’s tracks.” Definitions, origins, translations into Spanish and Portuguese
Michael D. Powers, Ph.D., USCCI
US Certified Court Interpreter 1980 / Ph.D. Spanish Portuguese 1981 / 24 years university professor / Estimates: 12,000+ depositions, hearings, etc. / 850 trials / 3000 documents / Conference Interpreter 650 conferences
?
Translation Article Number 691: Idioms “comb through, cover one’s tracks.” Definitions, origins, translations into Spanish and Portuguese
?
1) comb through
?
Definition
Meticulously investigate or research something
?
Origin
A nice explanation of the probable origin of “come through” is provided in TheIdioms.com :
“Origin
The word from which the expression “comb through” must have come, “comb,” has an etymology that can be used to determine the phrase’s origin. It is believed that in the 1400s, the word “comb” came into common use. The popular use of the word “comb” in the English language might be through Old English, which might have been derived from German. By the 1600s and 1700s, the phrase “comb something through” was already in common figurative use after its derivation from German to the English language through Old English.
This idiom and common English expression that most people use today has a common answer: fine combs can “comb through” things, especially the hair on your scalp, with care. “Combing through” is a literal representation of how a comb would move in a person’s scalp, covering every part and being thorough.
?
Translations into Spanish
?
1) examinar
[examine]
?
2) revisar cuidadosamente
[carefully review / examine]
?
3) investigar minuciosamente
[investigate / research in great detail]
?
4) ahondar en
[go deep into]
?
Translations into Portuguese
?
1) inspecionar
[inspect]
?
2) vasculhar
[sweep, comb through, go through, scrutinize]
?
2) cover one’s tracks
?
Definition
When somebody covers his tracks they destroy evidence of identity or actions.
?
Origin
Just as in the idiom above, this idiom’s origin is also quoted from TheIdioms.com:
“In a literal sense, “track” was first used in the late 15th century to describe footprints or marks left by a moving object or being. Though the term has developed more uses throughout time, the original meaning is still used today.
To?cover?one’s tracks, in a figurative sense, can be traced back to the 1870s. At a time when most roadways were still dirt and crime was modernizing, it was essential for lawbreakers and outlaws to hide their movements so as not to be caught by authorities.?
The exact origin of the idiom is unknown, which also makes it homological. (To “cover one’s tracks” covered its tracks.)
Source:?theidioms.com”
?
Translations into Spanish
?
1) borrar sus huellas
[erase one’s tracks]
?
?Translations into Portuguese
?
1) encobrir rastos
[cover up traces / signs / trails]
?
?Sources
WordReference Spanish-English Dictionary app up through 2025
WordReference Portuguese-English Dictionary app up through 2025
Oxford Portuguese Dictionary, Oxford University Press, 2015.
Word Magic Complete and Unabridged English-Spanish Dictionary 8.8.0 2020 by Word Magic Software, Ltda.
?
?