I thought it could be interesting to have a thread where we can post some idiomatic expressions we find when reading. I've collected a few ones from Petronius (it's good to mention the source if possible, unless someone remembers an expression but has forgotten where it came from). I'll give both literal translation - for people who don't know Latin, or not enough yet, that could come by here and be interested - and translation of the meaning for each one.
Ab acia et acu: from thread an needle = in great detail.
Ab asse crescere: to grow from a penny = to start from nothing (then become rich).
Aliquem in rutae folium conicere: to throw someone into a herb rue leaf = to defeat someone decisively, to make him feel very small, to "knock him into a cocked hat".
Apud se (non) esse: (not) to be among oneself = (not) to be in one's senses.
Costas alicuius recorrigere: to put someone's ribs right = to "put him on his feet again".
In ultimis esse: to be in the last ones = to be on the point of death.
Lorum in aqua: a leather strap in water = (someone) weak or flabby.
Malam parram pilare: to pluck a bad parra (a bird, don't know the exact species, whose cry was considered ill-omened) = to have bad luck.
Manum commodare: to lend a hand = this one has a perfect parallel in English, simply "to give a hand, help".
Manum de tabula!: hand off the table! = leave off! Stop working!
Mentum alicui/alicuius tollere: to raise someone's chin (as if above water) = to help someone out of trouble.
Sua re causa facere: to do, one's business (being) the reason = to relieve oneself, do one's business, satisfy the needs of nature.
Suaviter est alicui: it is sweetly/agreeably to someone = one is having a good time, enjoying oneself, having fun.
Suaviter sibi facere: to do sweetly/agreeably to oneself = to enjoy oneself, have a good time, have fun.
Suis se tenere: to keep oneself to one's things = to mind one's own business.
Ab acia et acu: from thread an needle = in great detail.
Ab asse crescere: to grow from a penny = to start from nothing (then become rich).
Aliquem in rutae folium conicere: to throw someone into a herb rue leaf = to defeat someone decisively, to make him feel very small, to "knock him into a cocked hat".
Apud se (non) esse: (not) to be among oneself = (not) to be in one's senses.
Costas alicuius recorrigere: to put someone's ribs right = to "put him on his feet again".
In ultimis esse: to be in the last ones = to be on the point of death.
Lorum in aqua: a leather strap in water = (someone) weak or flabby.
Malam parram pilare: to pluck a bad parra (a bird, don't know the exact species, whose cry was considered ill-omened) = to have bad luck.
Manum commodare: to lend a hand = this one has a perfect parallel in English, simply "to give a hand, help".
Manum de tabula!: hand off the table! = leave off! Stop working!
Mentum alicui/alicuius tollere: to raise someone's chin (as if above water) = to help someone out of trouble.
Sua re causa facere: to do, one's business (being) the reason = to relieve oneself, do one's business, satisfy the needs of nature.
Suaviter est alicui: it is sweetly/agreeably to someone = one is having a good time, enjoying oneself, having fun.
Suaviter sibi facere: to do sweetly/agreeably to oneself = to enjoy oneself, have a good time, have fun.
Suis se tenere: to keep oneself to one's things = to mind one's own business.
