One of the joys of learning other languages is the chuckle you get when you learn an idiomatic expression that is hilarious when translated literally. The hours I've spent in such pastimes...well, everyone has their hobbies, right?
(An idiom is a phrase which means something other than the actual words, such as "It's raining cats and dogs" or "He's pulling your leg".)
What's interesting is that many idioms did originate in more literal situations, such as "paying an arm and a leg" referring to having to pay more to have your whole portrait painted, as opposed to paying less to be drawn without a limb or two. (In French you sometimes have to pay "the eyes of the head".)
French
I call my newborn grandson a "piece of cabbage" all the time, while I sometimes encourage my students to "come back to our sheep" (get back on topic). If you ask me too personal a question, I might tell you it's not your onions, and if you drink too much you might wake up the next morning with a wooden face (hangover). And you'll be forgiven if you have the cockroach -- we all have days when we feel down in the dumps.
Spanish
If I call you a piece of bread, it's a compliment, trust me (like calling someone a peach). If I tell you you're peeing outside the flower pot, I mean you've completely missed the point. And don't get in bad milk just because I tell you you don't have hair on your tongue. (Don't get bent out of shape if I remark that you don't mince your words.)
We could obviously do multiple volumes on this subject, but here's just a smattering of idioms from more languages:
In Sweden, you'd best not get caught with your beard in a mailbox (caught with your pants down), and in Iran you can tell someone to go lose their grave if you're really upset with them (get the h*ll out of here).
An impatient Filipino might tell you to "baptize it already!" (get it over with), and most Germans know the morning hour has gold in its mouth. (The early bird gets the worm.) And if you're beating around the bush with a Norwegian, he might tell you to speak straight from the liver.
Yes, we could go on. But we'll leave it there for now, lest you get flies up your nose from reading this (Polish).
What idioms have you picked up from other languages? Please share with us below!