TRADUguide - Your Guide to Translators and Translation Agencies

149 months ago

Amanda Haste PhD, DipTrans(IoLET), MCIL, CL   asked this question:

This question has already been answered and rated. Therefore, no new answers can be given.

149 months ago

Marie-Claire   wrote:

opinions are divided or they are poles apart

My comment:

"They are poles apart" is more casual. It shows they are pulled in completely opposite directions (sec).

The asker rated this answer best

149 months ago

Marie-Claire   wrote:

reveal sharp divisions

149 months ago

Marie-Claire   wrote:

they are torn between many defining answers

149 months ago

Marie-Claire   wrote:

doesn't hold water

My comment:

I think that the author means that the definition of socialism is incomplete and misleading, that it is neither coherent nor convincing.

Comments by other colleagues on this answer:

149 months ago

   wrote:

http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/not+hold+water

149 months ago

   wrote:

http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/not+hold+water

149 months ago

Claude Le Frapper   wrote:

doesn't hold water

My comment:

I think that the author means that the definition of socialism is incomplete and misleading, that it is neither coherent nor convincing.

149 months ago

Claude Le Frapper   wrote:

And that even besets/overwhelms it in a relentless kind of way.

My references:

Collins Robert Unabridged French/English Dictionary

149 months ago

Hazilein   wrote:

spread like wildfire

My comment:

As far as I know "tirailler sec" literally means "shooting like a madman in all directions as quickly as possible".

In your special case I think this expression is used figuratively according to my proposed translation.