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Spanish Idioms
244 Spanish Idiomatic Expressions
363
Language - Spanish
Graduate
11/16/2017
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Cards

Term
¡ojo al parche!
 Definition
look out!, stay alert!, don´t drop your guard!, keep your eyes peeled!
Term
¡que me quiten lo bailado!
 Definition
come what may, no one can take away from us the good times we’ve had.
Term
¿qué le hace una mancha más al tigre?
 Definition
What’s one more stripe on a tiger’s back?
Term
a banderas desplegadas
 Definition
with flying colors
Term
a caballo regañado no le mires el diente
 Definition
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth
Term
a chorros
 Definition
in great quantities
Term
a como de lugar
 Definition
at all costs, in any way possible
Term
a contramano
 Definition
in the wrong direction, against the traffic
Term
a destiempo
 Definition
untimely, ill-timed, inopportune
Term
a dos pasos
 Definition
very close, within an ace of
Term
a duras penas
 Definition
scarcely, with great difficulty
Term
a fin de cuentas
 Definition
at the end of the day, when all is said and done
Term
a gatas
 Definition
on all fours
Term
a granel
 Definition
in bulk
Term
a la carrera
 Definition
an unthorough, hurried way of doing something
Term
a la larga
 Definition
in the long run
Term
a la merced de
 Definition
at the mercy of
Term
a la vez
 Definition
at the same time
Term
a las espaldas de alguien
 Definition
– maybe, possibly– behind somebody´s back
Term
a lo major
 Definition
at best
Term
a mano
 Definition
by hand
Term
a más tardar
 Definition
at the latest
Term
a menudo
 Definition
often
Term
a ojo de buen cubero
 Definition
Spitballin it/right off the cuff taking a guess
Term
a palo seco
 Definition
without anything to go with it. This Spanish idiom is most commonly used referring to food or drink taken without anything else.
Term
a pesar de
 Definition
in spite of
Term
a propósito
 Definition
– by the way
Term
a punto de
 Definition
at the brink of
Term
a que…
 Definition
I bet that inflexibly, rigorously, strictly
Term
a regañadientes
 Definition
unwillingly, complaininglyOut with the old, in with the new
Term
a rienda suelta
 Definition
without any constraint or control, freely
Term
a solas
 Definition
alone, by one´s self
Term
a tientas
 Definition
guiding one´s self by feel, for instance in the darkness
Term
a toda costa
 Definition
at all costs
Term
a toda máquina
 Definition
very fast
Term
a todas luces
 Definition
– by all appearances, clearly, evidently
Term
a todo trapo
 Definition
– with luxury, in grand style
Term
a todo vapor
 Definition
– very fast, as fast as posible
Term
a troche y moche
 Definition
– thoughtlessly, inconsiderately, helter-skelter
Term
a trochemoche
 Definition
– thoughtlessly, inconsiderately, helter-skelter
Term
a tumba abierta
 Definition
– exposing one´s self to extreme danger, at breakneck speed
Term
a tutiplén
 Definition
– abundantly, profusely, copiously
Term
a última hora
 Definition
– at the last moment
Term
a ultranza
 Definition
– in the extreme, radically
Term
a veces
 Definition
– sometimes, at times
Term
a ver
 Definition
– we´ll see
Term
a voz en grito
 Definition
– loudly, at the top of one´s lungs
Term
abrirse paso a codazos
 Definition
– to elbow one´s way
Term
acoger en su regazo
 Definition
– to take someone under one´s wing
Term
acostarse con las gallinas
 Definition
– to retire to bed early
Term
aguzar el oído
 Definition
– to prick up one´s ears
Term
ahuecar el ala
 Definition
– Some English equivalents of this Spanish idiom are: to make one´s self scarce, to make off, to clear off, to hit the road
Term
al “ahí se va”
 Definition
– not thoroughly, with mediocrity
Term
al aire libre
 Definition
– outdoors
Term
al fin y al cabo
 Definition
– finally, at the end of the day, when all is said and done
Term
al hambre no hay pan duro
 Definition
– Beggars can’t be choosers
Term
al menos
 Definition
– at least
Term
al pie de la letra
 Definition
to the letter, to a T
Term
al por mayor
 Definition
– wholesale
Term
al revés
 Definition
– upside down, topsy turvy
Term
alzarle la mano a alguien
 Definition
– to threaten or hit someone
Term
amoscarse
 Definition
– to get angry
Term
andar a paso de tortuga
 Definition
– to walk or do something very slowly, at a snail´s pace
Term
andar como burro sin mecate
 Definition
– to be wild, out of control
Term
andar de cabeza
 Definition
to run around like a headless chicken
Term
andar de capa caída
 Definition
to be in low spirits, depressed
Term
andarse por las ramas
 Definition
to talk evasively, to beat around the bush
Term
apretar las clavijas a alguien
 Definition
to pressure somebody, to crack the whip
Term
apretarse el cinturón
 Definition
to cut expenses, to live on a shoestring
Term
aquí hay gato encerrado
 Definition
I smell a rat
Term
armado hasta los dientes
 Definition
armed to the teeth
Term
armar un jaleo
 Definition
to make a fuss
Term
armarse la gorda
 Definition
to make a big, fat fuss
Term
arriesgarse el pellejo
 Definition
risk one´s self, to risk one´s neck
Term
arrimar el ascua a su sardine
 Definition
to put one´s own benefit first, to provide grist to one´s mill
Term
arrimarse al sol que más calienta
 Definition
to seek out those from whom one can profit, to know which side one´s bread is buttered on
Term
arrojar a alguien a los lobos
 Definition
to deliver someone into danger, to throw someone to the wolves
Term
astuto como un zorro
 Definition
very smart, as sly as a fox
Term
ave nocturna
 Definition
night person, night owl
Term
bailar al son que tocan
 Definition
to dance to whatever music happens to be playing, to follow the current, to agree with anything
Term
bajársele los humos a alguien
 Definition
to be taken down a peg
Term
barrer para adentro
 Definition
to act advantageously
Term
bicho raro
 Definition
n odd (human) specimen
Term
blasfemar/ jurar/ renegar/ hablar como un carretero
 Definition
swear like a trooper
Term
borracho como una cuba
 Definition
– drunk as a skunk
Term
borrón y cuenta nueva
 Definition
to forget the past and start anew, to let bygones be bygones
Term
brillar por su ausencia
 Definition
to be conspicuous by one´s absence
Term
bueno como un angel
 Definition
extremelly good, saintly, referring to a person´s character and moral qualities
Term
buscar una aguja en un pajar
 Definition
to look for a needle in a haystack
Term
buscarle a alguien las cosquillas
 Definition
to provoke somebody
Term
buscarle tres pies al gato
 Definition
to look for trouble, to complicate things unnecessarily
Term
buscarle tres pies al gato sabiendo que tiene cuatro
 Definition
to look for trouble, to complicate things unnecessarily
Term
cabeza de chorlito
 Definition
scatterbrain
Term
cada hijo de vecino
 Definition
just about everyone, all and sundry
Term
cada muerte de Obispo
 Definition
very rarely, once in a blue moon
Term
caer bien/ mal
 Definition
– to be likeable/ not to be likeable
Term
caer como moscas
 Definition
– to die/ drop like flies
Term
calado hasta los huesos
 Definition
– soaked through
Term
calarse las gafas
 Definition
– to put on one´s glasses
Term
cerrar algo a cal y canto
 Definition
– to seal shut
Term
cerrar el pico
 Definition
– to shut one´s trap, to remain silent
Term
chapado a la antigua
 Definition
– old-fashioned
Term
chillar como un condenado
 Definition
– to scream very strongly out of pain or fear (to scream as if one were sentenced to death), to sob like a baby
Term
cocerse/ cocinarse en su propia salsa
 Definition
to stew in one´s own juices
Term
comer como un pajarito
 Definition
to pick at one´s food, to eat sparingly
Term
como los perros en misa
 Definition
luous, unnecessary
Term
como perro en barrio ajeno
 Definition
out of place
Term
como pez en el agua
 Definition
to be in one’s element, at home
Term
como si fuera poco
 Definition
as if it that weren´t enough
Term
con el sudor de su frente
 Definition
by the sweat of his brow
Term
con pelos y señales
 Definition
in all detail
Term
consultar algo con la almohada
 Definition
to sleep on something
Term
contra viento y marea
 Definition
come wind or high water; through thick and thin; against all odds; come rain, hail or snow
Term
cortar de raíz
 Definition
eradicate
Term
costar un ojo de la cara
 Definition
to be outrageously expensive, to cost an eye and a foot, to cost an arm and a leg
Term
creerse el ombligo del mundo
 Definition
to think the world revolves around one´s self
Term
cuando las ranas críen pelos
 Definition
This Spanish expression is used to say that something will never, ever happen. “When pigs learn to fly”
Term
cuanto antes
 Definition
s soon as possible, as soon as may be
Term
cuatro gatos
 Definition
saying that hardly anybody or a proportionately small group of people are on hand.
Term
dar a luz
 Definition
to give birth
Term
dar algo por bueno
 Definition
to approve of something, to accept
Term
dar de sí
 Definition
said of clothes and shoes, to give; said of people, to give of oneself, to be accommodating
Term
dar en el clavo
 Definition
to hit the nail on the head, to get something right
Term
dar gato por liebre
 Definition
to cheat, to decieve by giving something of similar appearance but inferior quality
Term
dar la lata/dar lata
 Definition
to bother, to be a pain in the neck
Term
dar la tabarra
 Definition
to pester, to bug
Term
dar luz verde
 Definition
to give the go ahead
Term
dar por sentado
 Definition
to take something as a given
Term
dar una de cal y una de arena
 Definition
to alternate different or opposite things for the purpose of being accommodating
Term
darle a algo el visto bueno
 Definition
to give one´s approval
Term
darle a alguien mala espina algo
 Definition
to have one´s suspicions aroused by something
Term
darle sopas con honda (alguien o algo a otra persona o cosa)
 Definition
to be overwhelmingly superior to something or somebody
Term
darse por vencido
 Definition
to give up
Term
darse prisa
 Definition
to hurry
Term
de buenas a primeras
 Definition
unexpectedly, suddenly, without notice
Term
de golpe
 Definition
all at once
Term
de higos a brevas
 Definition
very rarely, once in a blue moon
Term
de nuevo
 Definition
– again
Term
de par en par
 Definition
wide open
Term
de pelo en pecho
 Definition
manly, valiant
Term
de perlas
 Definition
– marvelously, excellently
Term
de plano
 Definition
entirely, absolutely
Term
de pronto
 Definition
suddenly
Term
de tal palo tal astilla
 Definition
A chip off the old block
Term
de una vez por todas
 Definition
once and for all
Term
dejar en paz a alguien
 Definition
– to leave somebody alone
Term
dejar plantado a alguien
 Definition
to fail to show up for an appointment leaving the person waiting, to stand somebody up
Term
descubrir la pólvora/ América / el agua caliente/ el Mediterráneo/ el hilo negro
 Definition
when someone “discovers” something which is plain common sense to realize, later than everybody else
Term
desde luego
 Definition
of course
Term
deshacerse en atenciones
 Definition
to go overboard in one´s displays of attention, amability or hospitality towards somebody, to bend over backward for somebody
Term
devanarse los sesos
 Definition
to rack one´s brains
Term
Dios los cría y ellos se juntan
 Definition
Birds of a feather flock together
Term
dormir a pierna suelta
 Definition
– to sleep like a log
Term
dormir como un lirón
 Definition
– to sleep a lot
Term
echar leña al fuego
 Definition
to add fuel to the fire, to aggravate an already difficult situation
Term
echar un cuarto a espadas
 Definition
: to give one´s two cents worth, to stick one’s oar in
Term
echar/tirar la casa por la ventana
 Definition
to spend without measure or restraint, to kill the fattened calf
Term
el mundo es un pañuelo
 Definition
It’s a small world
Term
el que la sigue la consigue
 Definition
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again
Term
empezar la casa por el tejado
 Definition
to do things in the wrong order, English equivalent of this Spanish idiom: to put the cart before the horse
Term
empinar el codo
 Definition
to consume intoxicating drinks by way of habit, to bend the elbow
Term
en boca cerrada no entran moscas
 Definition
A Spanish expression which means that you are better off keeping quiet and minding your own business
Term
en cueros
 Definition
naked, in the buff
Term
en el séptimo cielo
 Definition
exultant, English equivalents of this Spanish idiom: in seventh heaven, on cloud nine
Term
en fila india
 Definition
in single file, in Indian file
Term
en las barbas de alguien
 Definition
right under someone´s nose, in someone´s face
Term
en menos que canta un gallo
 Definition
in an instant, English equivalents of this Spanish idiom: quick as a wink, in two shakes of a lamb´s tail
Term
en un abrir y cerrar de ojos
 Definition
in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye
Term
endeudado hasta los ojos
 Definition
up to one´s ears in debt
Term
entre chanzas y versa
 Definition
half earnest, half in jest
Term
entre la espada y la pared
 Definition
trapped in a delicate situation, between the Devil and the deep blue sea
Term
es como hablar a la pared
 Definition
It’s like talking to a brick wall
Term
esperar la semana que no traiga viernes
 Definition
to procrastinate forever, to wait till the cows come home
Term
estar (loco) como una cabra
 Definition
– English equivalents of this Spanish idiom: to be as mad as a hatter, to be as nutty as a fruit-cake
Term
estar con un pie en el aire
 Definition
to be uncommitted, to sit on the fence
Term
estar de buenas
 Definition
to be in a good mood
Term
estar de mala leche
 Definition
to be in very bad humor
Term
estar en ascuas
 Definition
to be in a state of agitated suspense, to be on tenterhooks, to be on pins and needles, to be like a cat on hot bricks
Term
estar en boca de todos
 Definition
to be on everyone´s lips, to be the talk of the town
Term
estar en la flor de la edad
 Definition
to be in the prime of life
Term
estar en la luna
 Definition
– to have one´s head in the clouds
Term
estar en las nubes
 Definition
– same as above
Term
estar entre Pinto y Valdemoro
 Definition
– to be half of one mind and half of another…and also… to be slightly drunk, to be half seas over
Term
estar frito
 Definition
– to be in dire straits, to be toast
Term
estar hasta la coronilla
 Definition
– to be fed up …or… to be up to one´s neck in something
Term
estar más loco que una cabra
 Definition
– To be as mad as a hatter.
Term
estar más perdido que Carracuca
 Definition
– to be hopelessly lost
Term
estirar la pata
 Definition
– to die, English equivalent of this Spanish idiom: to kick the bucket
Term
exhalar el último suspiro
 Definition
– to die, to give up the ghost
Term
faltar el rabo por desollar
 Definition
– This Spanish expression is used to say that the hardest part of a task still remains to be accomplished.
Term
faltarle un tornillo a alguien
 Definition
– to have a screw loose, to have a few buttons missing
Term
fresco como una lechuga
 Definition
– fresh as a daisy
Term
fulano de tal
 Definition
– a certain person
Term
gajes del oficio
 Definition
– occupational hazards, the risks and inconveniences inherent to a trade or profession
Term
ganarse el pan
 Definition
– to earn one´s bread and butter
Term
gastar pólvora en chimangos
 Definition
– to waste time or effort in an unworthy cause.
Term
gastar saliva
 Definition
to speak uselessly, to waste one’s breath
Term
importarle a alguien un bledo algo
 Definition
to care not a wit for something or somebody
Term
ir de la ceca a la meca
 Definition
to run about all over the place
Term
ir de mal en peor
 Definition
to go from bad to worse
Term
ir por lana y salir trasquilado
 Definition
– We say this when we expect to obtain a benefit and instead suffer a loss
Term
irse al garete
 Definition
– to spoil, to go down the drain, to go up the creek
Term
irse cantando o silbando bajito
 Definition
– This Spanish idiom refers to the attitude of a person who in a state of shame abandons the scene discreetly, trying his best to go unnoticed
Term
irse con la música a otra parte
 Definition
to take one´s song and dance elsewhere, to take one´s act elsewhere
Term
irse o despedirse a la francesa
 Definition
to leave without saying good-bye
Term
irse por los cerros de Úbeda
 Definition
– to ramble, to digress
Term
írsele a uno el santo al cielo
 Definition
– This Spanish idiom is used when one forgets what one was just about to say or do
Term
jugarse el pellejo
 Definition
– to risk one’s skin or life
Term
La prudencia es la madre de la ciencia
 Definition
– Discretion is the better part of valor
Term
Las palabras se las lleva el viento
 Definition
– Actions speak louder than words
Term
Liso y llano!
 Definition
– Easy peasy/a piece of cake .
Term
llegar como agua en mayo
 Definition
– to be just what the doctor ordered
Term
llegar y besar el santo
 Definition
– to attain swiftly and luckily a goal which is usually demanding in terms of time and effort
Term
llevar la procesión por dentro
 Definition
– to suffer greatly without showing it, to hide one´s feelings
Term
llevarse como el perro y el gato
 Definition
– to fight like cats and dogs
Term
llevarse el secreto a la tumba
 Definition
– to take a secret to one´s deathbed
Term
llevarse un chasco
 Definition
to suffer a sudden, surprising, unexpected or unforeseen reverse or disappointment
Term
llorar a lágrima viva
 Definition
to cry very intensely, to cry one´s eyes out
Term
mandar a freír espárragos
 Definition
to tell someone “go jump in a lake”, to send somebody packing
Term
mandar a la porra
 Definition
to send somebody packing, to tell somebody to get lost
Term
mantener a raya
 Definition
to keep or hold something or somebody at bay, to keep someone at arm’s length
Term
mantener un tira y afloja
 Definition
to bargain alternating severity and flexibility, to alternate truculent and soothing attitudes
Term
mantenerse en sus trece
 Definition
to be persistent and obstinate in asserting one’s point of view or carrying out one’s plans, to stick to one’s guns
Term
más terco que una mula
 Definition
as stubborn as a mule
Term
más vale estar sólo que mal acompañado
 Definition
A Spanish expression which means solitude is better than bad company
Term
más vale maña que fuerza
 Definition
Brain is better than brawn
Term
más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando
 Definition
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Term
más vale tarde que nunca
 Definition
Better late than never
Term
matar dos pájaros de un tiro
 Definition
to kill two birds with one stone, to achieve two objectives with a single effort
Term
matar la gallina de los huevos de oro
 Definition
: to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs
Term
media naranja
 Definition
better half, soulmate
Term
meter la mula
 Definition
to chea
Term
meter la pata
 Definition
– to put one’s foot in it
Term
meter violín en bolsa
 Definition
to take one´s song and dance elsewhere, to take one´s act elsewhere
Term
meterse en camisa de once varas
 Definition
1. to bite off more than one can che
Term
meterse en la boca del lobo
 Definition
To hit the hay/go bed
Term
meterse en un berenjenal
 Definition
to enter into a dangerous situation
Term
mirar de hito en hito
 Definition
to stare intently at somebody or something
Term
morderse la lengua
 Definition
to keep one´s self from saying something indiscreet or compromising, to hold one’s tongue
Term
morir con las botas puestas
 Definition
to pass away when still active and at work
Term
mosquita muerta
 Definition
to persons who “look as if butter would not melt in their mouths”,
Term
mostrar la hilacha
 Definition
to show the cloven hoof, to show one´s true colors
Term
mover cielo y tierra
 Definition
to move heaven and earth, to leave no stone unturned, to go to great lengths in pursuit of a goal
Term
mucho ruido y pocas nueces
 Definition
All mouth and no trousers
Term
nacer de pie
 Definition
to be born lucky
Term
nada del otro mundo
 Definition
nothing to write home about, nothing surprising or even noteworthy
Term
nadar o ir contra la corriente
 Definition
to swim against the tide, to go against the grain, to exert oneself in a direction opposite to that of the crowd
Term
ni carne ni pescado
 Definition
neither fish nor fowl, something ambiguous or indefinite
Term
ni ebrio ni dormido
 Definition
by no means and under no circumstances
Term
ni fu ni fa
 Definition
– neither one thing nor the other, This Spanish expression is equivalent to ni carne ni pescado, see above
Term
ni lerdo ni perezoso
 Definition
– not to be backward in coming forward, This Spanish expression is used to comment on somebody´s agile and resolute way of deciding and acting in a certain situation.
Term
ni muy muy ni tan tan
 Definition
neither too much nor too little
Term
ni pincha ni corta
 Definition
to have no clout, to lack authority
Term
ni soñarlo!
 Definition
In your dreams!/No way!
Term
ni tanto que queme al santo ni tanto que no lo alumbre
 Definition
This Spanish expression is used to recommend the avoidance of extremes
Term
no caber ni un alfiler
 Definition
no room to swing a cat, to be packed full
Term
no dar pie con bola
 Definition
This Spanish expression is used when somebody just “can’t get it together”.
Term
no dar puntada sin nudo
 Definition
This Spanish expression is used to comment upon someone´s careful, premeditated way of acting, giving to understand that the person in question protects himself as much as possible against risks of all sorts.
Term
no dar su brazo a torcer
 Definition
to not let one´s arm be twisted
Term
no dar una
 Definition
We use this Spanish expression when someone “doesn’t get one right”.
Term
no dejar títere con cabeza
 Definition
– to spare nobody
Term
no es oro todo lo que reluce
 Definition
Not all that glitters is gold
Term
no hay moros en la costa
 Definition
the coast is clear,
Term
no hay pero que valga
 Definition
no ifs, ands or buts
Term
no hay tu tía
 Definition
there´s no remedy to a certain situation or problem
Term
no importarle a alguien un bledo algo
 Definition
or alternatively
Term
no pega ni con cola
 Definition
This is said about something which is totally incongruent and doesn´t make any sense at al
Term
no pegar un ojo
 Definition
to not sleep a wink, to not be able to sleep during the whole night
Term
no por mucho madrugar, amanece más temprano
 Definition
A Spanish expression which means everything will happen in its own time
Term
no saber a qué santo encomendarse
 Definition
to be at one’s wit’s end, to be at a loss for advice and not to know whom to turn to
Term
no saber alguien de la misa la media
 Definition
to not know the first thing about something, to be totally ignorant and incompetent
Term
no se ganó Zamora en una hora
 Definition
Rome wasn´t built in a day.
Term
no ser moco de pavo
 Definition
to be nothing to sneeze at
Term
no ser ni chicha ni limonada or no ser ni chicha ni limoná
 Definition
neither fish nor foul,
Term
no tener dónde caerse muerto
 Definition
This Spanish expression expresses the idea of abject poverty: not to have a penny to one’s name.
Term
no tener pelos en la lengua
 Definition
to not mince one’s words, to speak out without inhibition
Term
oír como quien oye llover
 Definition
To be indifferent to what one he hears;
Term
ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente
 Definition
Out of sight, out of mind.
Term
oler a rayos, saber a rayos
 Definition
to stink, to taste awful
Term
olérselas or olerse la tostada
 Definition
suspect what´s going on
Term
otro gallo cantara
 Definition
things would be different -better, it would be a different matter altogether
Term
otro que bien baila
 Definition
This Spanish expression is an ironical comparison between the person at hand and another with similar defects
Term
oveja negra or oveja negra de la familia
 Definition
black sheep, black sheep of the family, a person who stands out in a family or group of people due to negative qualities.
Term
pagar con la misma moneda
 Definition
to return a favor or take revenge for an offense
Term
pagar el pato
 Definition
to foot the bill, to get a bum rap, to suffer or be punished undeservedly for someone else´s negligence, mistake, wrongdoing, etc.
Term
pagar justos por pecadores
 Definition
innocents pay for the sins of the guilty
Term
pagar los platos rotos
 Definition
to foot the bill, to carry the can, to be left to clean up the mess, to assume responsability for the damage
Term
para colmo de males
 Definition
to top it all off, to make matters worse, This Spanish expression is used to name the “crowning” circumstance which makes an already uncomfortable situation unbearable.
Term
partirse de la risa
 Definition
to split your sides laughing
Term
pasar la noche en blanco
 Definition
to spend a sleepless night, to not sleep a wink
Term
pedir peras al olmo
 Definition
to ask for the impossible, to try to squeeze blood out of a stone, to try to get blood out of a turnip
Term
peor es nada
 Definition
better than nothing
Term
perder el tren
 Definition
to miss the boat, to miss one´s opportunity
Term
picar muy alto
 Definition
to aim too high for one´s possibilities, to be over-ambitious
Term
pisar los talons
 Definition
to be at somebody´s heels, to follow closely
Term
poner el arado delante de los bueyes
 Definition
to put the cart before the horse, to do things the wrong way around making it impossible to obtain positive results
Term
poner el dedo en la llaga
 Definition
to rub salt into the wound, to touch a sore spot
Term
poner el grito en el cielo
 Definition
to hit the ceiling, to blow a fuse, to fly off the handle
Term
poner en tela de juicio
 Definition
to call into question, to cast doubt on someone or something
Term
poner las cartas sobre la mesa
 Definition
to lay one’s cards on the table; to be totally open, truthful and sincere without holding anything back
Term
poner las manos en el fuego por alguien
 Definition
to put one’s hands in the fire for somebody
Term
poner los pelos de punta
 Definition
– to make one’s hairs stand on end, to give the creeps, to provoke a state of extreme fear and alteration
Term
poner los puntos sobre las íes
 Definition
to dot the i’s and cross the t’s
Term
poner pies en polvorosa
 Definition
to go on the lam, to flee abruptly and hastily
Term
poner u ofrecer la otra mejilla
 Definition
– to turn the other cheek,
Term
que si patatín, que si patatán
 Definition
This Spanish expression is an onomatopoeic rendition of stubborn, empty argumentation or vacuous excuses: blah, blah, blah.
Term
quedar el rabo por desollar
 Definition
This Spanish expression is used to say that the hardest part of a task still remains to be accomplished
Term
quedarse algo en el tintero
 Definition
certain things “remained in the inkwell”.
Term
quedarse con los brazos cruzados
 Definition
to remain with arms crossed/folded, to not lift a finger,
Term
quedarse para vestir santos
 Definition
to become an old maid, to remain unmarried
Term
quemarse las cejas
 Definition
to burn the midnight oil, to read or study a lot
Term
quemarse las pestañas
 Definition
to burn the midnight oil, to read or study a lot
Term
quien calla otorga
 Definition
Silence speaks volumes
Term
quitarse el sombrero ante alguien o algo
 Definition
to take one’s hat off to somebody or something.
Term
recoger el guante
 Definition
to pick up the gauntlet, to accept a challenge
Term
reinventar la rueda
 Definition
to reinvent the wheel,
Term
saber alguien dónde le aprieta el zapato
 Definition
to know where one´s sensitivities, foibles and vulnerabilities lie
Term
sacar a alguien de quicio
 Definition
to infuriate, enrage or madden somebody
Term
sacar a alguien de sus casillas
 Definition
to make someone lose his temper, to make someone go off the deep end
Term
salir el tiro por la culata
 Definition
to backfire
Term
salvarse por un pelo
 Definition
to be saved by a hair
Term
segundas partes nunca fueron buenas
 Definition
A Spanish expression which means that the second part of anything is never better or as good as the first
Term
ser algo el caballito de batalla de alguien
 Definition
to be somebody’s “old reliable” or “old standby
Term
ser de armas tomar
 Definition
someone who faces up to his circumstances and is determined and willing to fight
Term
ser de pocas pulgas
 Definition
to be short tempered
Term
ser harina de otro costal
 Definition
to be another question altogether
Term
ser más bueno que el pan
 Definition
to be as good as gold
Term
ser más el ruido que las nueces
 Definition
to be all smoke and no fire
Term
ser más viejo que Matusalén
 Definition
to be as old as the hills
Term
ser moneda corriente
 Definition
to be an everyday occurence, to be common currency
Term
ser pan comido
 Definition
to be as good as done… or… very easy: a piece of cake
Term
ser un cero a la izquierda
 Definition
to be a nobody, to be useless, to be unworthy of being taken notice of
Term
Ser uña y carne
 Definition
to be bosom buddies
Term
Siempre llueve sobre mojado
 Definition
– It never rains, it pours
Term
sobre gustos no hay nada escrito
 Definition
different strokes for different folks
Term
tal para cual
 Definition
made for one another, two of a kind
Term
tal vez
 Definition
maybe, perhaps
Term
an cierto como dos y dos son cuatro
 Definition
As sure as eggs
Term
Tanto monta, monta tanto
 Definition
It’s as broad as it is long
Term
tarde o temprano
 Definition
sooner or later
Term
tener a alguien en el bolsillo
 Definition
to have somebody in one’s pocket
Term
tener agallas
 Definition
to have guts, to be brave and daring
Term
tener algo en la punta de la lengua
 Definition
to have a word on the tip of one’s tongue
Term
tener el alma en un hilo
 Definition
to be on pins and needles
Term
tener en mente
 Definition
– to keep in mind, to have in mind
Term
tener siete vidas, como el gato
 Definition
to have nine lives, like a cat
Term
tirar de la lengua
 Definition
to induce a person to talk about something he would rather not speak about
Term
tirar la piedra y esconder la mano
 Definition
to hide the hand that throws the stone.
Term
to be worth its weight in gold, to be extremely valuable
 Definition
to sell like hot cakes, to sell very fast
Term
tomar a pecho
 Definition
– to take to heart
Term
tomar el pelo
 Definition
to pull somebody’s leg
Term
tomar el sol
 Definition
to bask in the sun
Term
tomar el toro por los cuernos
 Definition
to take the bull by the horns
Term
valer la pena
 Definition
to be worth it
Term
venir como anillo al dedo
 Definition
to fit like a glove
Term
ver el cielo abierto
 Definition
We apply this expression to someone who encounters an opportunity to get out of a troublesome situation or to fulfill his wishes.
Term
ver las estrellas
 Definition
to see stars
Term
vérselas negras
 Definition
to face great difficulties
Term
viento en popa
 Definition
to have the wind in one’s sails
Term
vivir en la luna
 Definition
– to be on the moon, to moon
Term
vivito y coleando
 Definition
live and kicking
Term
volver a las andadas
 Definition
to fall back into the grips of old, bad habits
Term
zapatero, a tus zapatos
 Definition
– let the cobbler stick to his last
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