I came across the phrase "byt v jednom kole" the other day. I can work out the literal meaning but am I right in thinking that the figurative meaning is something akin to the English expression "a one-armed (wall)paper hanger"? (i.e. very busy)
Yes, you are right - the literal meaning is "to be in one wheel", comparing sb to a squirrel closed in a running wheel.
Sorry, I should have asked this before: So that I can explain an English equivalent to my friend, how would "a one-armed wallpaper hanger" be translated into Czech (literally rather than figuratively)?
Are you sure of it? My understanding was always “to be in one circle” as “to be in one circular (=permanent) movement”. And it could also mean “to dance” or “to wrestle”.
Yes we dance in circles and it is most probably origin of this saying but I worry that the "running wheel" will make more sense than "dancing circles" for our English speaking friends. "nevyšla z kola" = she danced for whole party