kuambulia
koo-ah-mboo-LEE-ah
How to say it
Swahilikuambuliakoo-ah-mboo-LEE-ah
Frenchfinir avec, n’obtenir que; sauver
Meaning
To come away with only a small share or result after an effort, often less than hoped for.
Good to know
Kuambulia patupu is to come away with nothing; in sport kuambulia sare, to salvage a draw; kuambulia pointi moja, to get only one point.
Examples
- Walicheza vizuri lakini waliambulia sare tu.They played well but ended up with only a draw.
- Baada ya kazi yote, aliambulia patupu.After all the work, he came away with nothing.
- Wakulima waliambulia kilo chache za mahindi.The farmers ended up with only a few kilos of maize.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.