CONTRASTING "CLEVER" AND "LISTO"

 

Comparing and contrasting dictionary definitions is a fascinating pursuit that sheds light on dictionaries, dictionary makers, and bilingual interpretations. Monolinguals cannot do this, much to their loss, naturally. In my opinion, "pasarse de listo" and "too clever by half" have the same meaning in Spanish and English.   

Collins online dictionary defines the expression "too clever by half" as "they are very clever and they show their cleverness in a way that annoys other people." Oxford explains "annoyingly proud of their intelligence or skill and liable to overreach themselves." 

Manuel Seco's Diccionario (BVVA online) explains "pasarse de listo" as "equivocarse por exceso de malicia." DRAE says "intentar mostrarse en algo más inteligente que otros y estar equivocado." 

Below are my entries in my Phraseological Dictionary in progress:

Pasarse de listo Be too clever by half

Pablo se pasa de listo Paul is too clever by half

— “Lo que pasa es que hay algún chulillo joven que se pasa de listo y quiere forrarse en cuatro días.” Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, La soledad del mánager, 1977. Esp.

Be too clever by half Pasarse de listo, dárselas uno de listo

I think Jack is too clever by half Creo que Jack se pasa de listo

— “Some felt he was too clever by half; others that he trimmed his sails according to the prevailing political winds.” Telegraph.co.uk, 29 Oct 2003. UK.

What do you think?