Spanish Idiom: “Estirar la pata”
Spanish speakers are as prone as English speakers to use euphamisms when referring to something that is uncomfortable to talk about, and “estirar la pata” slips right into this category. So, false friend alert: “Estirar la pata” does not mean “go stretch your legs”; quite on the contrary, it is a subtle way to refer to someone’s […]
Spanish Idiom: “No tener un pelo de tonto”
The Spanish expression “No tener un pelo de tonto” is this weeks’ addition to our list of easy-to-remember, useful Spanish idioms. In short, if someone “no tiene un pelo de tonto” it means that they are not easy to trick or fool. They may be shy or quiet, but naïve? Not a chance! In fact, […]
Spanish Idioms: “Ser uña y carne”
Not only is this a useful expression, it’s easy to understand and easy to remember. Just take a look at the back of your hand. See your finger nails? Great! Now, try to bend one back slightly. Can’t do it, can you? That’s because the finger nail, the “uña” is really stuck to the flesh […]
Spanish Idioms: “Dar una mano a alguien”
Idiomatic expressions don’t always translate well literally or figuratively between English and Spanish, but good news, this one does. “Dar una mano a alguien” means to “Give somebody a hand”, or in other words, to help somebody out. It is an easy idiom to learn and it’s super practical – but just remember to avoid […]
Spanish Idioms: “Ser un caradura”
Okay, let’s get this straight: if someone is a “caradura”, it doesn’t mean that they literally have a hard face. Nope, but to get to the bottom of the meaning, we need to delve deep into the history o Spain. But before we go there, listen to how the expression is used in this audio […]
Spanish Idioms: “Hay gato encerrado”
Here is an easy Spanish idiom you can use in those situations where things just don’t seem on the up-and-up, and you suspect dishonesty or lack of transparency. Play the audio and hear how the idiom is used, then keep reading to learn about the likely origin of this curious expression. You might be surprised! […]