Close, but no cigar / err on the side of caution / play it by ear / I hear you / sooner rather than later

Close, but no cigar : 아주 비슷하지만 정답은 아닌
to fall short of a successful outcome and therefore get no reward

ex. Joe, you were close, but no cigar.

조, 넌 거의 근접했지만, 정답은 아니야.

A: I don't remember your birthday, well.. is it Christmas?

A: 너 생일이 기억이 안나, 음... 크리스마스인가?

B: Nope. Close, but no cigar.

B: 아니, 근접했지만 정답은 아니야.

err on the side of caution : 지나치게 조심하다
to be especially careful rather than taking a risk and making a mistake

It is human nature to err on the side of caution in such circumstances.

그런 환경에서 지나치게 신중한 것은 인간의 본성이야.

When there is a clear and serious problem, we must err on the side of caution.

분명하고도 심각한 문제가 있을 때, 우리는 지나친 주의를 기울여 실수를 하지 않아야 한다.

 

play it by ear : 그때그때 봐서 처리하다
to decide what to do when you know what is happening instead of planning in advance

ex. Maybe what about playing it by ear and see what happens?

혹시모르니, 즉흥적으로 처리해서 무슨 일이 벌어지는 지 보는 건 어때?

we haven't decided where to go, so we'll just play it by ear.

어디로 갈지 결정하지 않았기 때문에 되는대로 갈 거야.

Why don't we forget the itinerary and play it by ear?

일정을 잊어버리고 되는대로 일을 처리하는 게 어때?

A: So, when are you getting back from New York?

B: Oh, I don't know. Play it by ear. Why?

A: 그래서, 뉴욕에서 언제 돌아올건데?

B: 음, 잘모르겠어. 상황봐서, 왜?

 

I hear you : 나도 그래요
said when trying to empathize or agree with someone's point of view

ex. A: We don't have as much money as you.

A: 우리는 당신만큼 돈이 많지 않아요.

B: I hear you.

나도 그래요.

sooner rather than later : 차라리 일찌감치
sooner or later
something will happen in the future, but you are uncertain when it will happen

ex. Just try to make it sooner rather than later, huh?

그냥 일찌감치 그것을 해내도록 노력해보세요, 네?

I just wish they'd walk away sooner rather than later.

저는 단지 그들이 일찌감치 떠나면 좋겠습니다.

Situation would have to be resolved sooner rather than later.

상황은 더 늦기 전에 해결되어야 할 것이다.