Thread: playing for keeps

Hola!

Estoy buscando la traducción exacta de esta frase "playing for keeps".

El contexto es la canción de Phil Collins, In Too Deep:

Listen, you know I love you, but I just can't take this,
You know I love you, but I'm playing for keeps,
Although I need you, I'm not gonna make this,
You know I want to, but I'm in too deep.

Sería algo así como "cortar por lo sano"? Estoy buscando alguna expresión idiomática que sea más o menos equivalente.

Gracias!

Algo como 'jugando/actuando en serio'

Dennis
en Indiana

Thank you Benilde and Dennis. I was not familiar with that meaning. It does make sense!
Thanks.

Hola! No se si esto te ayude pero, "playing for keeps" es cuando tu tomas algo muy en serio y, no es solo un juego. Ahora mismo desconozco que expresion idiomatica seria la mas adecuada pero, seria algo como "jugar para ganar", o estar en algo para ganar. Puedes ir a google y buscar "meaning" o "translation" de "playing for keeps" a ver que consigues.

Gracias Melissa por tu aporte!

Here's the idea behind the phrase.

The expression doubtlessly came from children. You have ten marbles and I have ten marbles. You win all my marbles. When we go home, you return to me the ten marbles that you have won. That is playing for fun. When we go home, you keep all my marbles and maybe call me "malparido" too, then that is playing for keeps.

The expression is often heard in military or police movies. "He plays for keeps" means "He will try to kill you." "To play for keeps" means to be quite serious about what one is doing. It's not a game to your opponent. It's not a joke to the other player/participant. He wants badly to win.

So, apuesto a lo seguro, is the one.
If you don't like that one then, as in Thomas example, it would be
voy por todas when talking about poker or marbles. The expression is used in any circumstance when you are determined to win.
voy a lo seguro, would also apply.

I really appreacite your feedback. I love this forum. I am learning a lot. That was a great explanation, thank you both!!!