get lost in translation
(redirected from have gotten lost in translation)get lost in translation
Of a word or words, to lose the full subtlety of meaning or significance when translated from one language to another, especially when done literally. My friend tried explaining a few French idioms to me, but I'm afraid they got lost in translation. It's amazing how much gets lost in translation in the subtitles of foreign films.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.