Spanish idioms |
Literal translation |
English equivalent |
Picture representation |
no decir esta boca es mia |
not to say this mouth is mine |
not to say a word |
|
pedir peras al olmo |
to ask the elm tree for pears |
to ask for the impossible |
|
empinar el codo |
to bend your elbow |
to booze |
|
Tirarse de las barbas |
To tear your beard out |
To be tearing your hair out |
![tear-your-hair-out.jpg](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/tear-your-hair-out.jpg) |
Hablar pestes de alguien |
To talk plagues about somebody |
To bad mouth somebody |
|
Quedarse bizco |
To turn cross-eyed |
To be gob-smacked |
![quedarse-bizco.jpg](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/quedarse-bizco.jpg) |
Llevar la batuta |
To carry the baton |
To be in charge |
![carry-baton.jpg](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/carry-baton.jpg) |
Costar un ojo de la cara |
To cost an eye of your face |
To cost an arm and a leg |
![cost-an-arm-and-leg.jpg](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/cost-an-arm-and-leg.jpg) |
Chupar cámara |
To suck the camera |
To seek a lot of media attention |
![chupar camara](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/xchupar-camara.jpg.pagespeed.ic.KttFoGBaxp.jpg) |
Ponerse como un ají |
To look like a chilli |
To go bright red |
![red-as-a-chilli.jpg](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/red-as-a-chilli.jpg) |
Hacer mil maromas para |
To do a thousand acrobatic tricks in order to |
To go to a lot of trouble to, to spare no effort to |
![acrobatics](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/200x160xacrobatics.jpg.pagespeed.ic.5dyEdu1Pf3.jpg) |
Bajale de crema a tus tacos |
Decrease the cream in your tacos |
Don`t exaggerate |
![tacos](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/200x200xtacos.jpg.pagespeed.ic.w8mdgmvXT9.jpg) |
Estar al loro |
To be at the parrot |
To pay attention, be attentive, be up to date |
![parrot](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/parrot.jpg) |
Criado(a) a lo bruto |
raised in a brutish way |
Brought up in a barn |
![brought up in a barn](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/barn.jpg) |
Ser plato de segunda mesa |
To be second-table dish |
To play second fiddle |
![violinist](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/violinist.jpg) |
Jugar con dos barajas |
To play with two decks |
To cheat, act with duplicity |
![two decks of cards](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/decks-cards.jpg) |
Cantar de plano |
To sing clearly |
To spill the beans |
![spilled the beans](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/spilled-the-beans.jpg) |
Echar agua al mar |
To throw water into the sea |
To be pointless |
![water](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/water.jpg) |
Con los brazos cruzados |
With arms crossed |
Twiddling one`s thumbs |
![twiddling thumbs](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/twiddling-thumbs-quote.jpg) |
Marcando ocupado |
Dialling the busy signal |
Not understanding anything |
![out of it](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/outofit.jpg) |
Encendersele el bombillo |
To have the lightbulb turned on |
To get a brilliant idea |
![light bulb idea](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/lightbulb-idea.jpg) |
Más feo que el pecado |
Uglier than the sin |
As ugly as sin |
![ugly as sin](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/ugly.jpg) |
Hacer su santa voluntad |
To do one`s holy will |
To do as one pleases |
![saint of the day](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/saintoftheday.jpg) |
Por los buenas o por las malas |
For the good or the bad |
One way or another |
![good bad and ugly](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/good-the-bad-and-the-ugly.jpg) |
No saber ni papa de |
Not to know even a potato about |
To know nothing about |
![Mr Potato](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/200x200xpotato.jpg.pagespeed.ic.FqCeCTb8RF.jpg) |
Caer chuzos de punta |
To rain sharp spears |
To rain cats and dogs |
|
Tragarle a uno la tierra |
To be swallowed by the earth |
To disappear into nowhere |
![earth](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/earth.jpg) |
No cerrar la puerta |
To not close the door |
to not cut down on choices/options, or, not to burn one`s bridges |
![burning bridge](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/burning-bridge.jpg) |
Quedar a la altura de su zapatilla |
To remain at the height of one`s slipper |
To be a failure |
![slippers](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/slippers.jpg) |
Contigo ni a China me voy |
I`m not even going to China with you |
You`re impossible |
![travel to China](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/china-6.jpg) |
Andar de Herodes a Pilato |
To walk from Herod to Pilate |
To go from bad to worse |
![pontius pilate](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/200x140xpontius_pilate.jpg.pagespeed.ic.xyc1MWsSdE.jpg) |
Ser un espantapájaro |
To be a scarecrow |
Ugly as sin |
![scarecrow](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/scarecrow.jpg) |
Tener mal templada la guitarra |
To have one's guitar badly tuned. |
To be in a bad mood |
![bad mood](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/bad_mood.jpg) |
Ser del montón |
To be of the heap |
No great shakes, nothing to write home about |
![no great shakes](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/no-great-shakes.jpg) |
Llover sobre mojado |
To rain over the wetness |
It never rains but it pours. |
![it never rains but it pours](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/it-never-rains-but-it-pours.jpg) |
Ser mas del campo que las amapolas |
To be more from the country than the poppies |
To be a hick |
![poppies in flanders fields](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/poppies-in-flanders.jpg) |
Estar entre la espada y la pared |
To be between the sword and the wall |
To be caught between a rock and a hard place |
![rock and a hard place](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/rock-and-hard-place.jpg) |
Como pez en el agua |
Like a fish in the sea |
To be in one`s element |
![like a fish in the sea](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/peces.jpg) |
Un viento de mil demonios |
A wind of a thousand demons |
A howling gale |
![viento de mil demonios](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/viento-de-mil-demonios.jpg) |
Estar de veinticinco alfileres |
To be of twenty-five pins |
To be dressed to kill |
![dressed to kill](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/dressed-to-kill.jpg) |
Tener angel |
To have an angel |
to have charm, to be charming |
![rafael's angels](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/raphael's_angels.jpg) |
Darle perro a uno |
To give someone a dog |
To stand someone up, to break a date |
![give someone a dog](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/dogs.jpg) |
Largar a otro el mochuelo |
To pass the owl on to someone else |
To pass the buck |
![pass the buck](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/pass-the-buck.jpg) |
Dar en un hueso |
To hit a bone |
To hit a snag |
![to hit a snag](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/hit-a-snag.jpg) |
Flipar en colores |
To flip colours |
To be totally amazed |
![flipar en colores](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/flipar-en-colores.jpg) |
Parecerse como dos gotas de agua |
To look like two drops of water |
To look like two peas in a pod |
![two peas in a pod](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/two-peas-in-pod.jpg) |
Tener un tornillo flojo |
To have a loose screw |
To be crazy |
![to be crazy](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/crazy.jpg) |
El mundo es un pañuelo |
The world is a handkerchief |
It`s a small world |
![it`s a small world](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/small-world.jpg) |
Toda va viento en popa |
Everything goes wind at the stern |
All is going well |
![all is going well](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/all-is-going-well.jpg) |
Dejar a uno en la estacada |
To leave someone in the stockade |
To leave someone in the lurch |
![leave you in the lurch](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/lurch.jpg) |
No es cosa del otro mundo |
It`s not anything from another world |
It`s nothing to write home about |
![nothing to write home about](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/nothing-to-write-home-about.jpg) |
Decirle a alguien cuatro verdades |
To tell someone four truths |
To give someone a piece of one`s mind |
![to give someone a piece of your mind](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/give-someone-piece-of-your-mind.jpg) |
Coger a alguien con las manos en la masa |
To catch someone with his or her hands in the dough |
To catch someone red-handed |
![to catch someone red-handed](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/catch-someone-red-handed.jpg) |
Costar un ogo de la cara |
To cost an eye of the face |
To cost an arm and a leg |
![to cost an arm and a leg](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/cost-arm-and-leg.jpg) |
Aquello fue llegar y besar el santo |
That was arriving and kissing the saint |
It was like taking candy from a baby |
![taking candy from a baby](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/takingcandyfromababy.jpg) |
Andar pisando huevos |
To walk stepping on eggs |
To tread on thin ice |
![to tread on thin ice](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/tread-on-thin-ice.jpg) |
Venir con músicas |
To come with music |
To tell tall tales |
![tall things](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/tall-things.jpg) |
Reir con risa de conejo |
To laugh with the laughter of a rabbit |
To force a laugh |
![to force a laugh](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/to-force-laugh.jpg) |
Empezar la casa por el tejado |
To start building the house at the roof |
To put the cart before the horse |
![to put the cart before the horse](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/put-cart-before-horse.jpg) |
Ir al grano |
To go to the seed |
Get to the point |
![to get to the point](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/get-to-the-point.jpg) |
Faltarle a uno un tornillo |
to have a screw missing |
To be nuts |
![to be nuts](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/to-be-nuts.jpg) |
Cortar el bacalao |
To cut the codfish |
To rule the roost |
![rule the roost](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/rule-the-roost.jpg) |
No hay mal que por bien no venga |
There is not badly that by well come not |
Every cloud has a silver lining |
![every cloud has a silver lining](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/every-cloud-has-silver-lining.jpg) |
Tirar las frutas frescas con las pochas |
Throwing the fresh fruits with the green beans |
To throw the baby out with the bathwater |
![don`t throw baby out with bathwater](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/baby-out-with-bathwater.jpg) |
Nadie esta contento con su suerte |
Nobody is content with his luck |
the grass is always greener on the other side |
![the grass is always greener on the other side](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/grass-is-always-greener.jpg) |
A lo hecho pecho |
To it fact chest |
It`s no use crying over spilt milk |
![no use crying over spilt milk](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/cry_over_spilt_milk.jpg) |
Mas vale prevenir que curar |
More valuable to prevent than cure |
Better safe than sorry |
![better safe than sorry](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/better-safe-than-sorry.jpg) |
No hay que vender la piel del oso (antes de cazarlo) |
Don't sell the the bear skin before hunting it |
Don`t count your chickens (before they are hatched) |
![don't count your chickens](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/don't-count-your-chickens.jpg) |
Una puntada a tiempo ahorra ciento |
A stitch in times saves hundred |
A stitch in time saves nine |
![a stitch in time saves nine](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/stitch-in-time.jpg) |
Estar hasta en la sopa |
To be even in the soup |
There's no getting away from him |
|
No hay tiempo como el presente |
|
There's no time like the present |
![there's no time like the present](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/there's no time like the present.jpg) |
Caerse de su burro |
To fall from your donkey |
To admit your mistake |
|
Hay cuatro gatos |
There are four cats |
There's hardly anyone |
|
Estar como boca de lobo |
To be like a wolf's mouth |
To be pitch dark |
|
Darle perro a alguien |
To give someone a dog |
To stand someone up (on a date) |
|
Cuando las ranas críen pelo |
When frogs grow hair |
When pigs might fly |
|
No oír ni el vuelo de una mosca |
To not even hear a fly flying |
You could hear a pin drop |
![No oír ni el vuelo de una mosca](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/flyinflight.jpg) |
Mas vale pajaro en mano que ciento volando |
A bird in the hand is more valuable than a hundred flying |
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush |
![a bird in the hand](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/bird-in-hand.jpg) |
A quien madruga Dios lo ayuda |
To whom rises early God helps him |
It`s the early bird that catches the worm.
Early bed early to rise (makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise) |
![early bird catches worm](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/early-bird-catches-worm.jpg) |
mas vale mana que fuerza |
more value brain than strength |
brain is better than brawn |
![brain better than brawn](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/brain.jpg) |
No se gano Zamora en una hora |
You don`t win Zamora in an hour
(Zamora is a Spanish town where there was a battle) |
Rome wasn`t built in a day |
![Rome not built in a day](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/rome-not-built-day.jpg) |
Ojos que no ven, corazon que no siente |
Eyes that don`t see, heart that doesn`t feel |
out of sight, out of mind |
![out of sight out of mind](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/out-of-sight-out-of-mind.jpg) |
Nunca llueve a gusto de todos
or
Lo que a uno cura a otro mata |
It never rains to the liking of all
or
what to one priest another kills |
One man`s meat is another man`s poison |
![ones man meat is another mans poison](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/one-mans-meat.jpg) |
Antes de hablar pensar |
Before speaking think |
Think before you speak |
![think before you speak](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/think-before-speak.jpg) |
Lo que no cuesta dinero,siempre es bueno |
That which costs nothing, always is good |
The best things in life are free |
![best things in life are free](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/best-things-in-life.jpg) |
El que tiene boca se equivoca |
The one that has mouth is mistaken |
We all make mistakes |
![we all make mistakes](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/we-all-make-mistakes.jpg) |
Lo que siembres cosecharas quien siembra vientos recoge tempestades |
What sowings harvested who sows winds collects storms |
As you sow, so shall you reap |
![as you sow so shall you reap](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/as-you-sow.jpeg) |
Quien a hierro mata, a hierro muere |
Who to iron kills, to iron dies |
They that live by the sword die by the sword |
![live by sword die by sword](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/live-by-the-sword.jpg) |
Aunque la mona se vista de seda mona se queda |
Although the monkey itself monkey silk view remains |
You can`t make a silk purse out of a sow`s ear |
![silk purse out of sows ear](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/silk-purse-sows-ear.jpg) |
Nadie sabe lo que vale el agua hasta que falta |
Nobody knows what is worth the water until he lacks |
You never know what you`ve got till it`s gone |
![never know what you had](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/never-know-what-you-had.jpg) |
En el peligro se conoce el amigo |
In the danger the friend is known |
A friend in need is a friend indeed |
![friend in need is a friend indeed](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/friend-in-need.jpg) |
En boca cerrada no entran moscas |
Flies don`t enter a closed mouth |
If you keep your mouth shut, you won`t put your foot in it |
![keep your mouth shut](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/keep-your-mouth-shut.jpeg) |
lo barato sale caro |
cheap it leaves expensive |
If you buy cheaply, you pay dearly |
![lo barato sale caro](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/lo-barato-sale-caro.jpg) |
Al perro que duerme, no lo despiertes |
To the dog that sleeps it do not awake
|
Let sleeping dogs lie |
![let sleeping dogs lie](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/let-sleeping-dogs-lie.jpg) |
la nesesidad hace maestros |
the necessity makes teachers |
necessity is the mother of invention |
![necessity is the mother of invention](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/necessity-mother-of-invention.jpg) |
Loro viejo no aprende a hablar |
Old parrot does not learn to speak |
You can`t teach an old dog new tricks |
![you can`t teach an old dog new tricks](https://www.fun-learning-spanish.com/image-files/teach-an-old-dog.jpg) |