HOOPS & AROS - IDIOMS/MODISMOS

 

Circuses are on the wane, but not that long ago they attracted large audiences in search of laughs, entertainment, and exotic animals. Lions, dogs, and tigers performed all kinds of tricks to the surprise and awe of the public. In one act, animals had to jump through hoops (aros) on fire which was no small feat because animals dread the fire. Circuses and such acts are the origin of the expression: 

Jump through hoops Pasar por el aro, aguantar (pasar por) carros y carretas

They made us jump through hoops to get the contract Nos hicieron pasar por el aro para conseguir el contrato

— “… why do they have to jump through hoops for every single accommodation?” Arizona State Press, March 22, 2021. US. || “… owners should have to jump through hoops to get building permits.” The London Free Press, February 5, 2021. UK.

En castellano tenemos:

Pasar (entrar) por el aro Jump through hoops, give in grudgingly, do someone’s bidding

Traté de convencerle pero se negó a pasar por el aro I tried to convince her but she refused to jump through the hoops

—  “Cuando el general se dio cuenta de que con buenas razones el gallego no entraba por el aro, de que se negaba a colaborar, llamó a los muchachos...” Jorge Andrade, Un solo dios verdadero, 1993. Arg. || “Otras deportistas se han negado a pasar por el aro…” Alicia Giménez Bartlett, La deuda de Eva, 2002. Esp.