"On y va comme si on en revenait".

English translation: we go about it half-heartedly, as if retracing our steps

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:"On y va comme si on en revenait".
English translation:we go about it half-heartedly, as if retracing our steps

07:02 Jul 18, 2020
    The asker opted for community grading. The question was closed on 2020-07-21 22:55:28 based on peer agreement (or, if there were too few peer comments, asker preference.)


French to English translations [PRO]
Psychology / Making changes to our lives
French term or phrase: "On y va comme si on en revenait".
Hello

In this translation, there are 4 phases we go through when trying to make major changes in our lives (lifestyle, philosophy, approach)

Phase 2 is:

***On y va comme si on en revenait.***Le cœur n’y est plus. Il vaut mieux ne pas rester coincé en phase 2 car c’est dur pour nous et notre entourage. Dans cette phase, il faut se ressourcer, réfléchir à ses valeurs (voir chapitre sur les 6 valeurs).

So I get the drift, (we drag our feet, half-heartedly) but is there an English phrase that is closer to the French?

Thanks
SafeTex
France
Local time: 01:32
we go about it half-heartedly, as if retracing our steps
Explanation:
with acknowledgement to Tony M for 1st part

but "On y va comme si on en revenait" I think equates to retracing steps or

going back over the same old ground

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Note added at 4 days (2020-07-22 12:03:16 GMT) Post-grading
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glad to help. I like some of other answers but they are mostly dealing with "Le cœur n’y est plus" not with "comme si on en revenait" which is your question
Selected response from:

Yvonne Gallagher
Ireland
Local time: 00:32
Grading comment
thanks
2 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5One approaches it as if returning from it/ we go there as if coming back from it
Michael Roberts
4 +1we do it without conviction
Katarina Peters
3 +1"it is the same old grind"
Marco Solinas
4we go about it half-heartedly, as if retracing our steps
Yvonne Gallagher
3"We go there as if we were returning."
Lisa Rosengard
3We have) lost momentum
ormiston
3***We approach it as if we already know the result*** disinterested
Gloria Palubjakova
3Going through the motions
Robert Such


Discussion entries: 17





  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
"We go there as if we were returning."


Explanation:
The use of a simile presents a comparison between the process of going somewhere and returning or coming back from somewhere.

Example sentence(s):
  • On y va comme si on revenait. Le coeur n'y est plus. Il vaut mieux ne pas rester coincé en phase deux car c'est dur pour nous et notre entourage. Dans cette phase, il faut se ressourcer, réfléchir à ses valeurs.
  • We go there as if we were returning. The heart is no longer there. It's better to not remain stuck in the second phase since it's hard for ourselves and those nearby us. In this phase we need to rejuvenate, consider our values.
Lisa Rosengard
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:32
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: Far too literal, and does not convey in EN the real sense required here. There are other flaws in your proposed translation too.
13 mins
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
One approaches it as if returning from it/ we go there as if coming back from it


Explanation:
Formal/less formal

Michael Roberts
Morocco
Local time: 00:32
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  ormiston: What is this 'it' ?!
1 hr
  -> 'en'

neutral  B D Finch: A slavishly literal translation that fails to express the meaning.
10 days
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
We have) lost momentum


Explanation:
My stab at it, to reflect the idea of a 'parcours' and waning motivation!

ormiston
Local time: 01:32
Native speaker of: English
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5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
\\\"On y va comme si on en revenait\\\".
***We approach it as if we already know the result*** disinterested


Explanation:
***On y va comme si on en revenait.***Le cœur n’y est plus.
***We approach it as if we already know the result*** disinterested


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Note added at 5 hrs (2020-07-18 12:12:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

disinterested/uninterested

Gloria Palubjakova
Canada
Local time: 01:32
Native speaker of: English
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5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
"it is the same old grind"


Explanation:
You may want to consider an option along these lines.

Marco Solinas
Local time: 17:32
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in ItalianItalian
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Yolanda Broad
3 hrs

agree  Cyril Tollari
1 day 22 hrs

disagree  Yvonne Gallagher: "Grind" means same boring job or daily routine so not a match for this context. It should be "(going back over) same old GROUND"
2 days 21 hrs
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6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
we do it without conviction


Explanation:
just another suggestion

Katarina Peters
Canada
Local time: 20:32
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in HungarianHungarian, Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Romina Peralta
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, Romina!
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1 day 5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Going through the motions


Explanation:
Initially I thought it could be "dragging your feet" as well, but in this context, coming before "your heart's no longer in it" and the rest of the writer's advice, I'd suggest "going through the motions", which is along the lines of "it is the same old grind" and "we do it without conviction".

Robert Such
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: I really like this one. Shame I have already sent the job.

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10 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
we go about it half-heartedly, as if retracing our steps


Explanation:
with acknowledgement to Tony M for 1st part

but "On y va comme si on en revenait" I think equates to retracing steps or

going back over the same old ground

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 days (2020-07-22 12:03:16 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

glad to help. I like some of other answers but they are mostly dealing with "Le cœur n’y est plus" not with "comme si on en revenait" which is your question

Yvonne Gallagher
Ireland
Local time: 00:32
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 2
Grading comment
thanks
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