40 Essential Spanish Idioms to Master
Level up your fluency. Explore the top 40 common idioms in Spanish, complete with literal translations, real-life conversation examples, and audio playback.
Tomar el toro por los cuernos
Literal Translation:"To take the bull by the horns"
Meaning:To tackle a difficult situation directly and with confidence
Decidí tomar el toro por los cuernos y hablar con mi jefe sobre el problema
I decided to take the bull by the horns and talk to my boss about the problem
Estar en las nubes
Literal Translation:"To be in the clouds"
Meaning:To be distracted or daydreaming
Mi hermano está siempre en las nubes, no se da cuenta de lo que pasa a su alrededor
My brother is always in the clouds, he doesn't realize what's going on around him
Hacer una montaña de un grano de arena
Literal Translation:"To make a mountain out of a grain of sand"
Meaning:To exaggerate or make something seem more important than it is
No hagas una montaña de un grano de arena, es solo un pequeño problema
Don't make a mountain out of a grain of sand, it's just a small problem
Tomar la delantera
Literal Translation:"To take the lead"
Meaning:To take the initiative or get ahead of others
La empresa tomó la delantera en el mercado gracias a su innovadora tecnología
The company took the lead in the market thanks to its innovative technology
Estar entre la espada y la pared
Literal Translation:"To be between the sword and the wall"
Meaning:To be in a difficult or precarious situation
Me encontré entre la espada y la pared cuando me ofrecieron dos trabajos al mismo tiempo
I found myself between the sword and the wall when I was offered two jobs at the same time
Hacer de tripas corazón
Literal Translation:"To make heart out of guts"
Meaning:To make a great effort or overcome a difficult situation
Tuve que hacer de tripas corazón para terminar el proyecto a tiempo
I had to make a great effort to finish the project on time
Estar con el agua al cuello
Literal Translation:"To be up to one's neck in water"
Meaning:To be in a desperate or critical situation
La empresa está con el agua al cuello después de la crisis económica
The company is up to its neck in water after the economic crisis
No tener pelos en la lengua
Literal Translation:"To not have hair on the tongue"
Meaning:To speak frankly or directly
Mi amigo no tiene pelos en la lengua, siempre dice lo que piensa
My friend doesn't have hair on his tongue, he always says what he thinks
Estar en la cuerda floja
Literal Translation:"To be on the tightrope"
Meaning:To be in a delicate or precarious situation
El equilibrista está en la cuerda floja mientras cruza el río
The tightrope walker is on the tightrope while crossing the river
A gatas
Literal Translation:"On all fours"
Meaning:To do something slowly and with difficulty
Después de la lesión, tuve que caminar a gatas para no lastimarme más.
After the injury, I had to walk on all fours so as not to hurt myself more.
Bajar del burro
Literal Translation:"To get off the donkey"
Meaning:To calm down or become less arrogant
Después de que lo regañaron, decidió bajar del burro y pedir disculpas.
After being scolded, he decided to calm down and apologize.
Caer como un guante
Literal Translation:"To fall like a glove"
Meaning:To fit perfectly or be very suitable
El nuevo traje le cae como un guante, se ve muy elegante.
The new suit fits him perfectly, he looks very elegant.
Coger el rábano por las hojas
Literal Translation:"To take the radish by the leaves"
Meaning:To take the wrong approach or make a mistake
Intenté arreglar el coche, pero cogí el rábano por las hojas y lo empeoré.
I tried to fix the car, but I took the wrong approach and made it worse.
Dar gato por liebre
Literal Translation:"To give cat for hare"
Meaning:To deceive or cheat someone
Me dieron gato por liebre cuando me vendieron este coche usado.
I was deceived when they sold me this used car.
Echar la culpa al muerto
Literal Translation:"To throw the blame on the dead"
Meaning:To blame someone who is not present or cannot defend themselves
Es injusto echar la culpa al muerto, él ya no puede defenderse.
It's unfair to blame the dead, he can no longer defend himself.
Hacer de tripas corazones
Literal Translation:"To make hearts out of guts"
Meaning:To make a great effort or overcome difficulties
Para terminar el proyecto a tiempo, tuvimos que hacer de tripas corazones.
To finish the project on time, we had to make a great effort.
Ir a la par
Literal Translation:"To go to the pair"
Meaning:To go at the same pace or be equal
Los dos equipos van a la par en la clasificación.
The two teams are tied in the standings.
Llevar las de perder
Literal Translation:"To carry the ones that lose"
Meaning:To be at a disadvantage or have a low chance of success
Con este equipo, llevamos las de perder en el campeonato.
With this team, we are at a disadvantage in the championship.
No estar en la misma longitud de onda
Literal Translation:"Not to be on the same wavelength"
Meaning:To not be in agreement or have different opinions
Mi hermano y yo no estamos en la misma longitud de onda en cuanto a la política.
My brother and I are not in agreement on politics.
Costar trabajo
Literal Translation:"to cost work"
Meaning:to be difficult
Me costó trabajo aprender a tocar el piano.
It was difficult for me to learn to play the piano.
Dejar algo en el tintero
Literal Translation:"to leave something in the inkwell"
Meaning:to leave something unsaid or undone
Decidí dejar el tema en el tintero para no ofender a nadie.
I decided to leave the topic unsaid so as not to offend anyone.
Estar al loro
Literal Translation:"to be at the their's"
Meaning:to be alert or aware of something
Estoy al loro para no perderme nada importante.
I'm alert so as not to miss anything important.
Hacer una gran labor
Literal Translation:"to do a great job"
Meaning:to do something very well
El equipo hizo una gran labor en el proyecto.
The team did a great job on the project.
Ir con cuidado
Literal Translation:"to go with care"
Meaning:to be cautious or careful
Ir con cuidado al cruzar la calle.
Be careful when crossing the street.
Llevar la batuta
Literal Translation:"to carry the baton"
Meaning:to be in charge or lead
El director lleva la batuta en la orquesta.
The director leads the orchestra.
No dar pie con bola
Literal Translation:"not to give foot with ball"
Meaning:to not be able to do something
No doy pie con bola para resolver este problema.
I'm not able to solve this problem.
Poner los puntos sobre las íes
Literal Translation:"to put the dots over the i's"
Meaning:to clarify or explain something in detail
Necesito poner los puntos sobre las íes para que entiendas el problema.
I need to clarify things so you understand the problem.
Sacar de nuestras casillas
Literal Translation:"to take out of our houses"
Meaning:to drive someone crazy or annoy them
Ese ruido me saca de mis casillas.
That noise is driving me crazy.
Tomar las riendas
Literal Translation:"to take the reins"
Meaning:to take control or lead
Ella tomó las riendas del proyecto después de la renuncia del director.
She took control of the project after the director's resignation.
Aclarar el agua
Literal Translation:"To clear the water"
Meaning:To clarify or resolve a confusing situation
Después de la discusión, aclarar el agua fue lo mejor que hicimos.
After the discussion, clearing the water was the best thing we did.
Bailar con la más fea
Literal Translation:"To dance with the ugliest one"
Meaning:To accept and make the best of an undesirable situation
En la fiesta, bailé con la más fea y me divertí mucho.
At the party, I danced with the ugliest one and had a lot of fun.
Cargar con el muerto
Literal Translation:"To carry the dead"
Meaning:To take responsibility for someone else's mistakes or problems
Mi hermano siempre carga con el muerto de mis errores.
My brother always carries the dead weight of my mistakes.
Comer galletas
Literal Translation:"To eat cookies"
Meaning:To have an easy time or to do something effortlessly
En el examen, comí galletas porque estaba muy preparado.
On the exam, I ate cookies because I was very well prepared.
Dar la cara
Literal Translation:"To give the face"
Meaning:To show courage or to take responsibility for something
En la reunión, di la cara y defendí mi idea.
In the meeting, I gave the face and defended my idea.
Estar en la luna de Valencia
Literal Translation:"To be on the moon of Valencia"
Meaning:To be in a state of confusion or disorientation
Después del accidente, estuve en la luna de Valencia durante varios días.
After the accident, I was on the moon of Valencia for several days.
Hacer de la necesidad virtud
Literal Translation:"To make virtue out of necessity"
Meaning:To make the best of a bad situation
Cuando me quedé sin trabajo, hice de la necesidad virtud y empecé a estudiar.
When I lost my job, I made virtue out of necessity and started studying.
Ir de farra
Literal Translation:"To go on a spree"
Meaning:To go out and have a good time, often in a reckless or irresponsible way
El fin de semana, fuimos de farra con los amigos.
On the weekend, we went on a spree with friends.
Llorar sobre la leche derramada
Literal Translation:"To cry over spilled milk"
Meaning:To waste time feeling sorry for something that has already happened and cannot be changed
No llores sobre la leche derramada, mejor piensa en el futuro.
Don't cry over spilled milk, better think about the future.
Meter la pata
Literal Translation:"To put the leg"
Meaning:To make a mistake or to do something foolish
En el examen, metí la pata y me equivoqué en la respuesta.
On the exam, I put the leg and got the answer wrong.
Ser pan comido
Literal Translation:"To be eaten bread"
Meaning:To be very easy to do
Me pareció ser pan comido resolver el problema con su ayuda.
It seemed to be very easy to solve the problem with her help.
Tomar el pelo
Literal Translation:"to pull the hair"
Meaning:To pull someone's leg; to tease or trick someone.
No me creas, solo te estoy tomando el pelo.
Don't believe me, I'm just pulling your leg.
Echar leña al fuego
Literal Translation:"to throw wood on the fire"
Meaning:To add fuel to the fire; to make an argument or bad situation worse.
No le digas nada más, no queremos echar leña al fuego.
Don't tell him anything else, we don't want to add fuel to the fire.
Estar como una cabra
Literal Translation:"to be like a goat"
Meaning:To be completely crazy or eccentric.
Ese hombre está como una cabra, habla solo por la calle.
That man is as mad as a hatter, he talks to himself on the street.
Tirar la casa por la ventana
Literal Translation:"to throw the house out the window"
Meaning:To spare no expense; to spend a lot of money to celebrate something.
Para la boda de su hija, tiraron la casa por la ventana.
For their daughter's wedding, they spared no expense.
No pegar ojo
Literal Translation:"to not stick an eye"
Meaning:To not sleep a wink; to be unable to sleep.
Anoche no pegué ojo por el ruido de los vecinos.
Last night I didn't sleep a wink because of the neighbors' noise.
Empezar la casa por el tejado
Literal Translation:"to start the house by the roof"
Meaning:To put the cart before the horse; to do things in the wrong order.
Comprar los muebles antes de tener piso es empezar la casa por el tejado.
Buying furniture before having an apartment is putting the cart before the horse.
Matar dos pájaros de un tiro
Literal Translation:"to kill two birds with one shot"
Meaning:To kill two birds with one stone; to accomplish two tasks with one action.
Si voy al banco ahora, puedo comprar pan también y así mato dos pájaros de un tiro.
If I go to the bank now, I can buy bread too and kill two birds with one stone.
Quedarse de piedra
Literal Translation:"to stay of stone"
Meaning:To be completely stunned, shocked, or speechless.
Me quedé de piedra cuando escuché la noticia de su renuncia.
I was stunned when I heard the news of his resignation.
Ser un trozo de pan
Literal Translation:"to be a piece of bread"
Meaning:To be a very kind, good-natured, and helpful person.
El abuelo de Juan siempre ayuda a todos, es un trozo de pan.
Juan's grandfather always helps everyone, he is a sweetheart.
Dar en el clavo
Literal Translation:"to hit the nail"
Meaning:To hit the nail on the head; to guess or find the exact answer or solution.
Con su diagnóstico del problema, el técnico dio en el clavo.
With his diagnosis of the problem, the technician hit the nail on the head.
Echar de menos
Literal Translation:"to throw of less"
Meaning:To miss someone or something.
Echo de menos mi país cuando estoy fuera.
I miss my country when I am away.
A buenas horas, mangas verdes
Literal Translation:"at good hours, green sleeves"
Meaning:Too little, too late; said when help arrives after the problem has already been solved.
Ahora vienes a ayudarme, cuando ya he terminado todo. ¡A buenas horas, mangas verdes!
Now you come to help me, when I've already finished everything. Too little, too late!
Costar un ojo de la cara
Literal Translation:"to cost an eye of the face"
Meaning:To cost an arm and a leg; to be extremely expensive.
El nuevo coche deportivo de Pedro le costó un ojo de la cara.
Pedro's new sports car cost him an arm and a leg.
Pedir peras al olmo
Literal Translation:"to ask the elm tree for pears"
Meaning:To ask for the impossible; to expect something from someone who cannot give it.
Pedirle que sea puntual es pedir peras al olmo.
Asking him to be on time is like asking for the impossible.
Irse por las ramas
Literal Translation:"to go along the branches"
Meaning:To beat around the bush; to avoid talking about the main topic.
No te vayas por las ramas y responde a mi pregunta.
Don't beat around the bush and answer my question.
Ver las orejas al lobo
Literal Translation:"to see the wolf's ears"
Meaning:To see the danger just in time; to realize the threat or risk close at hand.
Cuando casi choca, le vio las orejas al lobo y empezó a conducir más despacio.
When he almost crashed, he saw the wolf's ears and started driving slower.
Hacerse el sueco
Literal Translation:"to make oneself the Swede"
Meaning:To play dumb; to pretend not to understand or hear something.
Le pregunté por el dinero y se hizo el sueco.
I asked him about the money and he pretended not to hear.
Estar chupado
Literal Translation:"to be sucked"
Meaning:To be extremely easy; a piece of cake.
El examen de matemáticas estaba chupado.
The math exam was a piece of cake.
Poner la mano en el fuego
Literal Translation:"to put one's hand in the fire"
Meaning:To guarantee or vouch completely for someone's honesty or loyalty.
Yo pongo la mano en el fuego por la honestidad de mi hermano.
I'd put my hand in the fire for my brother's honesty.
Llover sobre mojado
Literal Translation:"to rain on wet ground"
Meaning:To repeat something already known or to make a bad situation even worse with more of the same.
Otra discusión sobre el mismo tema es llover sobre mojado.
Another argument about the same topic is just beating a dead horse.
Tomar viento fresco
Literal Translation:"To take cool wind"
Meaning:To go away; to get lost (often used as an imperative: '¡Vete a tomar viento fresco!').
¡Vete a tomar viento fresco y déjame en paz!
Go away and leave me alone!
Estar como pez en el agua
Literal Translation:"To be like a fish in the water"
Meaning:To feel very comfortable and confident in a particular situation or environment.
En la biblioteca, ella está como pez en el agua.
In the library, she feels completely at home.
A pedir de boca
Literal Translation:"To ask of mouth"
Meaning:Perfectly; exactly as desired; without any problems.
Todo salió a pedir de boca durante el evento.
Everything went perfectly during the event.
Hablar por los codos
Literal Translation:"To talk through the elbows"
Meaning:To talk excessively; to be very talkative.
Mi hermana habla por los codos, nunca se calla.
My sister talks excessively, she never stops.
Tirar la toalla
Literal Translation:"To throw the towel"
Meaning:To give up; to surrender or admit defeat.
El problema era difícil, pero decidimos no tirar la toalla.
The problem was difficult, but we decided not to give up.
Hacer puente
Literal Translation:"To make a bridge"
Meaning:To take an extra day off between a holiday and the weekend to create a long weekend.
Como el jueves es festivo, voy a hacer puente el viernes.
Since Thursday is a holiday, I'm going to take Friday off for a long weekend.
Ponerse las pilas
Literal Translation:"To put in the batteries"
Meaning:To get one's act together; to wake up and start working hard.
Si quieres aprobar el examen, tienes que ponerte las pilas.
If you want to pass the exam, you have to get your act together.
Estar sin blanca
Literal Translation:"To be without white"
Meaning:To be broke; to have no money.
No puedo ir al cine porque estoy sin blanca.
I can't go to the cinema because I'm broke.
En un abrir y cerrar de ojos
Literal Translation:"In an opening and closing of eyes"
Meaning:In the blink of an eye; very quickly.
El verano se pasó en un abrir y cerrar de ojos.
Summer passed in the blink of an eye.
Ahogarse en un vaso de agua
Literal Translation:"To drown in a glass of water"
Meaning:To make a mountain out of a molehill; to worry excessively over minor problems.
No te preocupes por este detalle, te ahogas en un vaso de agua.
Don't worry about this detail, you are making a mountain out of a molehill.
Dar el brazo a torcer
Literal Translation:"To give the arm to twist"
Meaning:To yield; to give in or compromise on one's opinion or stance.
A pesar de las críticas, él no dio su brazo a torcer.
Despite the criticism, he did not yield.
Echar agua al mar
Literal Translation:"To throw water into the sea"
Meaning:To do something completely useless or redundant; to carry coals to Newcastle.
Tratar de convencerlo es como echar agua al mar.
Trying to convince him is completely useless.
Estar de mala leche
Literal Translation:"To be of bad milk"
Meaning:To be in a bad mood; to have a bad temper.
No le hables hoy, está de mala leche.
Don't speak to him today, he is in a bad mood.
Ir al grano
Literal Translation:"To go to the grain"
Meaning:To get straight to the point; to cut to the chase.
No tenemos mucho tiempo, así que ve al grano.
We don't have much time, so get straight to the point.
Cruzar los dedos
Literal Translation:"To cross the fingers"
Meaning:To cross one's fingers; to wish for good luck.
Cruzo los dedos para que consigas el trabajo.
I'm crossing my fingers that you get the job.
Consultar con la almohada
Literal Translation:"To consult with the pillow"
Meaning:To sleep on it; to think about a decision overnight.
Es una gran decisión, voy a consultarlo con la almohada.
It's a big decision, I'm going to sleep on it.
Perder la cabeza
Literal Translation:"To lose the head"
Meaning:To lose one's mind; to act crazily or lose control under pressure.
No pierdas la cabeza por sus amenazas.
Don't lose your head over his threats.
Hacer la vista gorda
Literal Translation:"To make the fat sight"
Meaning:To turn a blind eye; to pretend not to notice something wrong.
El guardia hizo la vista gorda y nos dejó entrar.
The guard turned a blind eye and let us in.
Ser uña y carne
Literal Translation:"To be nail and flesh"
Meaning:To be inseparable; to be hand in glove; very close friends.
Esos dos amigos son uña y carne.
Those two friends are inseparable.
Tener la mosca detrás de la oreja
Literal Translation:"To have the fly behind the ear"
Meaning:To smell a rat; to be suspicious; to sense that something is wrong.
Cuando me ofreció el trato gratis, me quedé con la mosca detrás de la oreja.
When he offered me the deal for free, I smelled a rat.
Poner el grito en el cielo
Literal Translation:"to put the shout in the sky"
Meaning:To complain loudly; to express great anger or indignation.
Mi padre puso el grito en el cielo cuando vio la factura.
My father raised a hue and cry when he saw the bill.
Quedarse con la boca abierta
Literal Translation:"to stay with the mouth open"
Meaning:To be astonished, surprised, or shocked.
Nos quedamos con la boca abierta al ver el truco de magia.
We were left gaped in surprise when we saw the magic trick.
Ser un cero a la izquierda
Literal Translation:"to be a zero to the left"
Meaning:To be worthless or insignificant; to have no influence.
En la toma de decisiones, él se siente como un cero a la izquierda.
In decision making, he feels like a complete nobody.
Tener la sartén por el mango
Literal Translation:"to have the frying pan by the handle"
Meaning:To hold the upper hand; to be in complete control of a situation.
En esta negociación, el cliente tiene la sartén por el mango.
In this negotiation, the client holds the upper hand.
Ir sobre ruedas
Literal Translation:"to go on wheels"
Meaning:To go smoothly; to run like clockwork.
Los preparativos del viaje van sobre ruedas.
The preparations for the trip are going smoothly.
Hacer castillos en el aire
Literal Translation:"to make castles in the air"
Meaning:To build castles in the air; to daydream or plan unrealistic things.
En lugar de estudiar, pasa el día haciendo castillos en el aire.
Instead of studying, he spends the day building castles in the air.
Echar un ojo
Literal Translation:"to throw an eye"
Meaning:To look after; to keep an eye on something or someone.
¿Puedes echar un ojo a mi equipaje un momento?
Can you keep an eye on my luggage for a moment?
Ver las cosas de color de rosa
Literal Translation:"to see things in pink color"
Meaning:To see the world through rose-colored glasses; to be overly optimistic.
Ella siempre ve las cosas de color de rosa y no se preocupa por el futuro.
She always sees the world through rose-colored glasses and doesn't worry about the future.
Quedarse sin palabras
Literal Translation:"to stay without words"
Meaning:To be speechless; unable to say anything due to shock or surprise.
Me quedé sin palabras ante su generosidad.
I was left speechless by her generosity.
Ser la oveja negra
Literal Translation:"to be the black sheep"
Meaning:To be the black sheep; the odd or disreputable member of a family or group.
Él siempre fue la oveja negra de la familia por no querer estudiar medicina.
He was always the black sheep of the family for not wanting to study medicine.
No tener dos dedos de frente
Literal Translation:"not to have two fingers of forehead"
Meaning:To lack common sense; to be foolish or unintelligent.
Ese chico no tiene dos dedos de frente, siempre hace tonterías.
That boy has no common sense; he is always doing silly things.
Llevarse el gato al agua
Literal Translation:"to take the cat to the water"
Meaning:To win an argument; to succeed in a difficult enterprise.
Después de discutir mucho tiempo, ella se llevó el gato al agua.
After arguing for a long time, she finally won the debate.
Echar una mano
Literal Translation:"to throw a hand"
Meaning:To lend a hand; to help someone out.
¿Me puedes echar una mano con estas cajas pesadas?
Can you lend me a hand with these heavy boxes?
Tener un corazón de oro
Literal Translation:"to have a heart of gold"
Meaning:To have a heart of gold; to be extremely kind and generous.
Ella siempre ayuda a los necesitados, tiene un corazón de oro.
She always helps those in need; she has a heart of gold.
Nacer de pie
Literal Translation:"to be born standing up"
Meaning:To be born lucky; to always have good fortune.
Tiene tanta suerte en los negocios que parece haber nacido de pie.
He is so lucky in business that he seems to have been born standing up.
Pagar el pato
Literal Translation:"to pay the duck"
Meaning:To take the blame or be punished for something one didn't do.
Yo no rompí la ventana, pero al final me tocó pagar el pato.
I didn't break the window, but in the end I had to take the blame.
Hacer borrón y cuenta nueva
Literal Translation:"to make a smudge and a new account"
Meaning:To wipe the slate clean; to forget past disputes and start anew.
Decidieron hacer borrón y cuenta nueva después de su gran discusión.
They decided to wipe the slate clean after their huge argument.
Dorar la píldora
Literal Translation:"to gild the pill"
Meaning:To sweeten the pill; to make bad news sound better; or to flatter someone.
No me dores la píldora, dime la verdad directamente.
Don't sweeten the pill for me; tell me the truth directly.
Tener pies de plomo
Literal Translation:"to have lead feet"
Meaning:To proceed with great caution and care.
Hay que tener pies de plomo con esa propuesta de negocio.
We must proceed with great caution regarding that business proposal.
Quedarse de brazos cruzados
Literal Translation:"to stay with crossed arms"
Meaning:To stand by doing nothing; to remain inactive.
No podemos quedarnos de brazos cruzados mientras ellos necesitan ayuda.
We cannot stand by doing nothing while they need help.
Dormirse en los laureles
Literal Translation:"To sleep on the laurels"
Meaning:To stop trying after achieving success; to become lazy.
No debes dormirte en los laureles, la competencia es fuerte.
You shouldn't rest on your laurels, the competition is strong.
Quien mucho abarca poco aprieta
Literal Translation:"He who grasps too much squeezes little"
Meaning:If you try to do too many things at once, you will fail at all of them.
Elige solo dos proyectos; recuerda que quien mucho abarca poco aprieta.
Choose only two projects; remember that he who grasps too much squeezes little.
A la tercera va la vencida
Literal Translation:"To the third goes the defeated"
Meaning:Third time's a charm; persistence eventually pays off.
He fallado dos exámenes, pero a la tercera va la vencida.
I failed two exams, but the third time's a charm.
Ver la paja en el ojo ajeno
Literal Translation:"To see the straw in another's eye"
Meaning:To criticize minor faults in others while ignoring one's own major faults.
Siempre críticas sus errores; te encanta ver la paja en el ojo ajeno.
You always criticize his mistakes; you love to see the mote in another's eye.
Estar más sano que una manzana
Literal Translation:"To be healthier than an apple"
Meaning:To be in excellent health; as fit as a fiddle.
El médico me dijo que estoy más sano que una manzana.
The doctor told me I am as fit as a fiddle.
Poner las cartas sobre la mesa
Literal Translation:"To put the cards on the table"
Meaning:To reveal one's true intentions or plans; to speak frankly.
Es hora de poner las cartas sobre la mesa y decidir qué haremos.
It is time to put the cards on the table and decide what we will do.
Gato con guantes no caza ratones
Literal Translation:"A cat with gloves does not hunt mice"
Meaning:If you are too soft, overly polite, or cautious, you will not achieve your goals.
Tienes que ser más firme en la negociación; gato con guantes no caza ratones.
You have to be firmer in the negotiation; a cat with gloves doesn't catch mice.
No hay mal que por bien no venga
Literal Translation:"There is no bad from which good does not come"
Meaning:Every cloud has a silver lining; bad situations can bring positive results.
Perdí el tren, pero conocí a un viejo amigo; no hay mal que por bien no venga.
I missed the train but met an old friend; every cloud has a silver lining.
En boca cerrada no entran moscas
Literal Translation:"Flies do not enter a closed mouth"
Meaning:It is best to keep quiet or keep your mouth shut to avoid trouble.
Es mejor no opinar sobre ese tema, recuerda que en boca cerrada no entran moscas.
It is better not to comment on that topic; remember that silence is golden.
Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando
Literal Translation:"A bird in hand is worth more than a hundred flying"
Meaning:A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush; value certainties over possibilities.
Acepta esa oferta de trabajo; más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando.
Accept that job offer; a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
El que no arriesga, no gana
Literal Translation:"He who does not risk, does not win"
Meaning:Nothing ventured, nothing gained; you must take risks to succeed.
Invertí todo mi dinero en el negocio porque el que no arriesga, no gana.
I invested all my money in the business because nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Cría cuervos y te sacarán los ojos
Literal Translation:"Raise crows and they will gouge out your eyes"
Meaning:Show kindness to ungrateful people and they will eventually betray you.
Le di trabajo a mi sobrino y ahora me roba clientes; cría cuervos y te sacarán los ojos.
I gave a job to my nephew and now he steals my clients; raise crows and they'll gouge out your eyes.
Llover a cántaros
Literal Translation:"To rain by pitchers"
Meaning:To rain heavily; to rain cats and dogs.
No podemos salir ahora, está lloviendo a cántaros.
We cannot go out now, it is raining cats and dogs.
Pan para hoy y hambre para mañana
Literal Translation:"Bread for today and hunger for tomorrow"
Meaning:A short-term solution that leads to long-term problems or deprivation.
Gastar todos los ahorros en ropa es pan para hoy y hambre para mañana.
Spending all savings on clothes is bread for today and hunger for tomorrow.
Ver el vaso medio lleno
Literal Translation:"To see the glass half full"
Meaning:To be optimistic; to focus on the positive aspects of a situation.
A pesar de las dificultades, siempre intenta ver el vaso medio lleno.
Despite the difficulties, he always tries to see the glass half full.
A ojo de buen cubero
Literal Translation:"By the eye of a good cooper"
Meaning:By rule of thumb; roughly; by estimation without measuring tools.
Calculé la distancia a ojo de buen cubero.
I calculated the distance by rule of thumb.
Buscar tres pies al gato
Literal Translation:"To look for three feet on the cat"
Meaning:To overcomplicate things; to look for trouble where there is none.
No le busques tres pies al gato, la explicación es muy sencilla.
Don't look for trouble where there is none; the explanation is very simple.
De tal palo, tal astilla
Literal Translation:"From such stick, such splinter"
Meaning:Like father, like son; children behave like their parents.
Su padre es músico y él toca el piano muy bien; de tal palo, tal astilla.
His father is a musician and he plays the piano very well; like father, like son.
Pasar la noche en vela
Literal Translation:"To spend the night in candle / wakefulness"
Meaning:To spend a sleepless night; to stay awake all night.
Pasé la noche en vela preocupado por los resultados de hoy.
I spent a sleepless night worried about today's results.
Costar un riñón
Literal Translation:"To cost a kidney"
Meaning:To cost a fortune; to be extremely expensive; to cost an arm and a leg.
Ese coche nuevo le costó un riñón.
That new car cost him a kidney.
Al mal tiempo, buena cara
Pronunciation: [al mal ˈtjempo ˈbwena ˈkaɾa]
Literal Translation:"To bad weather, a good face"
Meaning:To look on the bright side; to face adversity with optimism.
Perdimos el partido, pero al mal tiempo, buena cara.
We lost the game, but we must look on the bright side.
A la vejez, viruelas
Pronunciation: [a la βeˈxeθ βiˈɾwelas]
Literal Translation:"To old age, smallpox"
Meaning:Said when someone does something unexpected or atypical for their advanced age.
Mi abuelo se compró una moto deportiva; a la vejez, viruelas.
My grandfather bought a sports motorcycle — talk about an old dog learning new tricks.
Echar margaritas a los cerdos
Pronunciation: [eˈt͡ʃaɾ maɾɣaˈɾitas a los ˈθeɾðos]
Literal Translation:"To throw daisies to pigs"
Meaning:To offer something valuable to people who cannot appreciate it; pearls before swine.
Explicarle arte clásico a él es echar margaritas a los cerdos.
Explaining classical art to him is like throwing pearls before swine.
Ojo por ojo, diente por diente
Pronunciation: [ˈoxo poɾ ˈoxo ˈðjente poɾ ˈðjente]
Literal Translation:"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth"
Meaning:Retaliation; seeking revenge in equal measure to the offense.
Ellos respondieron con la misma agresión: ojo por ojo, diente por diente.
They responded with the same aggression: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Zapatero a tus zapatos
Pronunciation: [θapaˈteɾo a tus θaˈpatos]
Literal Translation:"Shoemaker to your shoes"
Meaning:Mind your own business; stick to what you know best and don't meddle in other fields.
No me digas cómo programar si tú eres diseñador; zapatero a tus zapatos.
Don't tell me how to code if you are a designer; stick to what you know.
Perro que ladra no muerde
Pronunciation: [ˈpero ke ˈlaðɾa no ˈmweɾðe]
Literal Translation:"A dog that barks does not bite"
Meaning:People who make threats rarely carry them out; bark is worse than bite.
Él grita mucho, pero no te preocupes, perro que ladra no muerde.
He yells a lot, but don't worry, his bark is worse than his bite.
El hábito no hace al monje
Pronunciation: [el ˈaβito no ˈaθe al ˈmoxe]
Literal Translation:"The habit does not make the monk"
Meaning:Appearances can be deceiving; clothes do not make the man.
Aunque vista ropa de marca, el hábito no hace al monje.
Even though he wears designer clothes, appearances can be deceiving.
A palabras necias, oídos sordos
Pronunciation: [a paˈlaβɾas ˈneθjas oˈiðos ˈsoɾðos]
Literal Translation:"To foolish words, deaf ears"
Meaning:Do not pay attention to insults, gossip, or foolish comments.
Ignora sus críticas destructivas; a palabras necias, oídos sordos.
Ignore his destructive criticism; turn a deaf ear to foolish words.
Cada oveja con su pareja
Pronunciation: [ˈkaða oˈβexa kon su paˈrexa]
Literal Translation:"Each sheep with its partner"
Meaning:People seek others with similar interests or backgrounds; birds of a feather flock together.
Ellos son igual de desordenados; cada oveja con su pareja.
They are equally messy; birds of a feather flock together.
En casa del herrero, cuchillo de palo
Pronunciation: [en ˈkasa ðel eˈɾeɾo kuˈt͡ʃiʎo ðe ˈpalo]
Literal Translation:"In the blacksmith's house, a wooden knife"
Meaning:The cobbler's children go barefoot; where a skill is present, the family often lacks the product.
Mi padre es electricista y las lámparas de casa no funcionan: en casa del herrero, cuchillo de palo.
My dad is an electrician and our house lamps don't work — the cobbler's children go barefoot.
Mucho ruido y pocas nueces
Pronunciation: [ˈmut͡ʃo ˈrwiðo i ˈpokas ˈnweθes]
Literal Translation:"Much noise and few walnuts"
Meaning:Much ado about nothing; a lot of talk or fuss with very little substance.
Prometió grandes cambios en la empresa, pero fue mucho ruido y pocas nueces.
He promised big changes in the company, but it was much ado about nothing.
Querer es poder
Pronunciation: [keˈɾeɾ es poˈðeɾ]
Literal Translation:"To want is to be able to"
Meaning:Where there's a will, there's a way.
Si estudias duro conseguirás la beca, porque querer es poder.
If you study hard you will get the scholarship, because where there's a will, there's a way.
Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente
Pronunciation: [ˈoxos ke no βen koɾaˈθon ke no ˈsjente]
Literal Translation:"Eyes that do not see, heart that does not feel"
Meaning:Out of sight, out of mind; what you don't know won't hurt you.
Ella no sabe nada de los problemas, así que ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente.
She knows nothing of the problems — out of sight, out of mind.
Más vale tarde que nunca
Pronunciation: [mas ˈβale ˈtaɾðe ke ˈnuŋka]
Literal Translation:"Better worth late than never"
Meaning:It is better to do something late than not to do it at all.
Entregó el informe con retraso, pero más vale tarde que nunca.
He submitted the report late, but better late than never.
El tiempo todo lo cura
Pronunciation: [el ˈtjempo ˈtoðo lo ˈkuɾa]
Literal Translation:"Time heals everything"
Meaning:Time heals all wounds; emotional pain fades over time.
Sé que ahora sufres, pero ten paciencia, el tiempo todo lo cura.
I know you are suffering now, but be patient, time heals all wounds.
Matar el gusanillo
Pronunciation: [maˈtaɾ el ɣusaˈniʎo]
Literal Translation:"To kill the little worm"
Meaning:To have a small snack to keep from being hungry; to take the edge off one's appetite.
Voy a comer una manzana para matar el gusanillo.
I'm going to eat an apple to take the edge off my appetite.
Tirar la esponja
Pronunciation: [tiˈɾaɾ la esˈpoxa]
Literal Translation:"To throw the sponge"
Meaning:To give up; to throw in the towel.
No tires la esponja ahora que estás tan cerca de lograrlo.
Don't give up now that you are so close to achieving it.
A otro perro con ese hueso
Pronunciation: [a ˈotɾo ˈpeɾo kon ˈese ˈweso]
Literal Translation:"To another dog with that bone"
Meaning:Tell it to someone else; I don't believe your story/excuse.
¿Que no fuiste tú? ¡A otro perro con ese hueso!
It wasn't you? Tell that to someone else!
Cortar el bacalao
Pronunciation: [koɾˈtaɾ el βakaˈlao]
Literal Translation:"To cut the cod"
Meaning:To run the show; to be the boss or make the decisions.
En esta oficina, la secretaria es la que corta el bacalao.
In this office, the secretary is the one who runs the show.
No tener pies ni cabeza
Pronunciation: [no teˈneɾ ˈpjes ni kaˈβeθa]
Literal Translation:"To have neither feet nor head"
Meaning:To make no sense; to be completely illogical.
Ese argumento tuyo no tiene pies ni cabeza.
That argument of yours makes no sense.
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