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.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
YrjÄNÄ	UYR-ya-na	Finnish
Verna	VUR-nə	English
Cephas	SEE-fəs (English)	Biblical, Biblical Latin
Hannas	-	Biblical Greek
Bethel	BETH-əl (English)	Biblical
Selvaggia	-	Italian