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Klingon IDIOMS
by Eric Schulman
An idiom is a phrase in which the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words. Klingons use many idioms, which can be difficult for non-Klingons to understand unless they are familiar with the actual rather than the literal meaning of the phrases. Some common Klingon idioms are summarized below. ((1,2))
DoS wIqIp (“We hit a target.”): We agree.
DoSmey DIqIp (“We hit scattered targets.”): We disagree.
Hoch jaghpu’Daj HoHpu’ (“He has killed all his enemies.”): He leads a meaningless life.
mIv je DaS (“Helmet and boot.”): In full dress uniform (usually for a ceremonial affair).
ngaQ logmIt (“The door is locked.”): The outcome is set or the plan cannot be changed.
Hoch nuH qel (“Consider every weapon.”): Think of all the possibilities.
qul DIr yISop! (“Eat the fire skin!”): Hurry up! (“fire skin” is a Klingon dish consisting of flaming pieces of animal skin that should be eaten while they are still on fire)
vIHtaH gho (“The hoop is moving.”): Act quickly.
vaj Duj DachIj (“You navigate a warrior ship.”): You have strength of character.
Dujmey law’ DachIjpu’ (“You have navigated many ships.”): You are experienced.
jop ’ej way’ (“Lunge and deflect.”): Have an argument.
pollaH pagh PolHa’laH (“Can either keep it or discard it.”): It doesn’t matter.
ghe’torvo’ narghDI’ qa’pu’ (“When spirits escape from Gre’thor.”): Never.
yItAD! (“Be frozen!”): Don’t move! (to an individual; to a group it would be petaD!)
qagh HoH (“Kill gagh.”): To do something counterproductive.
latlh HIvje’Daq ‘Iw HIq bIr yIqang! (Pour the cold bloodwine into another glass!): Tell it to someone who might care (or tell it to someone who might believe you).
DaH may’ bom pIm bom (“Now you sing a different battle song.”): That’s a different matter altogether (usually said when new information is revealed about a topic of conversation).
to’waQ yIv (“Chew ligament.”): Take time to think about it.
yInajchu’ (“Dream perfectly!”): Have good dreams (said to one’s children at bedtime or to close friends on the night before a battle).
bIQ ngaS HIvje’lIj (“Your cup contains water.”): You’re completely wrong.
wa’maH cha’ pemmey wa’maH cha’ rammey je (“Twelve days and twelve nights.”): It (an important event) will last a long time (Kahless and his brother Morath fought for twelve days and twelve nights after Morath broke his word).
bIQ’a’Daq ’oHtaH ’etlh’e’ (“The sword is in the ocean.”): There’s no turning back.
ghaH vuv SuS neH (“He wants the wind to respect him.”): He is a fool.
Ha’qujlIj nge’ (“Take away your sash.”): Wound your pride.
Doq bIQtIq (“The river is red.”): Something momentous has occurred (e.g., a major victory).
Suv cha’ qabDu’ (“Two faces fight.”): Two individuals are fighting each other one-on-one.
Suv qabDu’ law’ (“Many faces fight.”): Many are fighting each other (e.g., a brawl.).
quSDaq bIba’ (“You sit in a chair.”): You state the obvious.
pel’aQDaj ghorpa’ (“Before it breaks its shell.”): While there’s still time.
bo’Dagh’a’ lo’ (“Use a big scoop.”): Exaggerate.
bo’DaghHom lo’ (“Use a little scoop.”): Understate.
jej pach (“The claw is sharp.”): The food is good (pungent).
jejHa’ pach (“The claw is dull.”): The food is bad (bland).
cha’maH cha’ joQDu’ (“Twenty-two ribs.”): Something is missing or not quite right (Klingons have 23 ribs).
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