a da cu bâta-n baltă
to mess things up, to blunder (lit. to hit the puddle with a stick)
Advanced Phrase
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Pronunciation
/a da ku ˈbɨ.tan ˈbal.tə/
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Cultural Note
This idiom literally paints the picture of someone hitting a puddle with a stick — splashing muddy water everywhere and making a mess. It vividly describes someone who blunders or ruins a situation through clumsiness or poor judgment. It is one of Romania's most expressive and widely used idioms.
📝 Example Sentences
A dat cu bâta-n baltă la prezentare.
He messed things up at the presentation.
De fiecare dată dau cu bâta-n baltă.
Every time I mess things up.
Ai grijă să nu dai cu bâta-n baltă!
Be careful not to blunder!