no hay moros en la costa
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Spanish[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Literally, “there are no Moors at the coast”.
The origin of this phrase comes from a time where the Moors, inhabitants of north Africa, used to invade from the sea and sack coastal villages in Spain. The phrase means that there are no Moors at the coast, which generally meant that there are no problems coming our way. In Cuba though,”Hay Moros en la costa” (There are Moors on the coast), is to alert someone that there are children present and adult conversations should not occur.
Phrase[edit]
- the coast is clear
- 2012, Carlos Laredo, El diagnóstico, page 200:
- Cuando estemos seguros que no hay moros en la costa, tú te vistes de mensajero, llegas en la moto con tu casco a la hora de comer del portero, un sábado, […]
- When we're sure the coast is clear, you dress up like a messenger, you arrive on your motorcycle with your helmet at the porter's mealtime, a saturday, […]
- 2010, Laura Kinsale, El profesor de francés, page 268:
- –En la costa, maman. No hay moros en la costa. –Trev buscó a tientas la vela que la enfermera acababa de apagar.
- –In the coast, maman. The coast is clear. –Trev blindly looked for the candle the nurse had just put out.
- 2012, Jorge E. González Ayala, Más noche que ayer en la noche, page 122:
- Tras un par de cuadras me detengo para cerciorarme de que no nos siguen. No hay moros en la costa. Todavía agitado y bufando le marco por teléfono a Carlos.
- After a couple of city blocks I stop to make sure they're not following us. The coast is clear. Still agitated and snorting I call Carlos on the telephone.