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  3. Idioms / Maxims / Sayings

לקיים על קוצו של יוד

English translation: to uphold punctiliously

07:43 Jun 9, 2017
Hebrew to English translations [PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / לקיים על קוצו של יוד
Hebrew term or phrase: לקיים על קוצו של יוד
Dear ALL!
What is the English for

לקיים על קוצו של יוד

Many thanks in advance!
o_delia
Local time: 05:25
English translation:to uphold punctiliously
Explanation:
Or "observe" or such, depending on the context. The tip of a yod is symbolic of a tiny detail.

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Note added at 7 mins (2017-06-09 07:51:32 GMT)
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שבת שלום!
Selected response from:

David Greenberg
Israel
Local time: 05:25
Grading comment
thank you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5to uphold punctiliously
David Greenberg
3 +2to follow to the letter / adhere strictly
Robert Forstag


  

Answers


1 min   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
to uphold punctiliously


Explanation:
Or "observe" or such, depending on the context. The tip of a yod is symbolic of a tiny detail.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 mins (2017-06-09 07:51:32 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

שבת שלום!

David Greenberg
Israel
Local time: 05:25
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
thank you!
Notes to answerer
Asker: תודה רבה, שבת שלום!

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6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
to follow to the letter / adhere strictly


Explanation:
David has of course accurately described the meaning of the Hebrew idiom. I would only say that "to uphold punctiliously" is of such a highly formal register that it would not work in most contexts (even in formal legal or business contexts).

The two alternatives that I offer sound entirely natural in English, can be used in a wide variety of contexts, and do not risk coming off as stilted or pompous.


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Note added at 6 hrs (2017-06-09 13:47:38 GMT)
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i.e.:
adhere strictly to...

Robert Forstag
United States
Local time: 22:25
Native speaker of: English
Notes to answerer
Asker: תודה רבה!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Chaya Cohen
1 day 5 hrs
  -> Thank you, Chaya.
agree  Geoffrey Black: I agree. This expression is actually Kabbalistic, referring to Sephirat Keter, which is so high, that it only uses the top of the Yod.
3 days 2 hrs
  -> Very interesting. I did not know that. Thank you, Geoffrey.
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