Weekly Expression:
Mas aceite da un ladrillo
Translates literally as ‘a brick gives more oil’. The saying refers to a person’s lack of generosity or willingness to help. The product mentioned is oil because Spain is one of the largest producers and exporters of Virgin Olive Oil, and it therefore has a certain value for the locals not just in Gran Canaria but all over the Canaries as a whole.
The English equivalent is ‘this person is very tight’.
Eg. Este hombre no me prestó cinco Euros cuando lo necesitaba y ahora me pide ayuda, mas aceite da un ladrillo – This man didn’t lend me €5 when I needed it, and now he’s asking me for help. How tight can a person be?
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