lost in translation
Adjective
Meaning
lost in translation (not comparable)
(idiomatic) Unable to be understood due to having been poorly translated.
I tried reading the instruction manual but many of the steps were unfortunately lost in translation.
The message of the Japanese Prime Minister's speech was lost in translation.
Related terms
Examples
Except maybe Scarlett Johannson in Lost in Translation, but it’s a close-run thing.
Inside Out by Lost in Translation.
Okay, this is one of those moments when I have to share a good laugh with you at my expense: let’s call this particular episode “Lost in Translation.”