![\"Common](\"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/20-Common-Spanish-Idioms-th-fb.png\" "\\"20-common-spanish-idioms-th-fb\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\nI mean, how would you know that a Spaniard is flirting with you when they refer to it as throwing disks at you (te tira los tejos)<\/em>? And how are you to understand that a funny guy is also a horny person (es un cachondo<\/em>)?<\/p>\n Learning about Spanish idioms will not only make you truly understand real Spanish as it is actually spoken by native speakers\u2026.it will also make you sound a little more natural.<\/p>\n Sounds like a great deal, huh? So today, we\u2019ll take a look at 20 common Spanish idioms and discover what they mean.<\/p>\n \n via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n Literal meaning: Hit on the nail<\/p>\n What it really means: To be assertive<\/p>\n Aggressive, assertive, unyielding\u2026.hard-hitting. This one\u2019s pretty easy to understand.<\/p>\n Example: \u00a1Nuestro gobierno nunca parece dar en el clavo con sus decisiones!<\/em> Our government never seems to hit on the nail with their decisions!<\/p>\n Literal meaning: Fall asleep in the laurels<\/p>\n What it really means: To cease to make an effort after achieving success<\/p>\n This is quite similar to the English version \u201cto rest on your laurels\u201d.<\/p>\n Example: Nuestro equipo simplemente se ha dormido en los laureles. Our team has simply fallen asleep on the laurels.<\/p>\n Literal meaning: Between the sword and the wall<\/p>\n What it really means: Having to choose between two equally bad things<\/p>\n Does this remind you of \u201ca rock and a hard place\u201d? It\u2019s basically the same thing.<\/p>\n Example: Mi amigo me ha puesto entre la espada y la pared, \u00a1quiere que elija entre gatos o perros! <\/em>My friend put me between the sword and the wall, he wants me to pick a favourite between cats or dogs!<\/p>\n Literal meaning: With the rope to the neck<\/p>\n What it really means: To be in a situation of a lot of pressure<\/p>\n A noose around your neck. That sure feels like a whole lot of pressure, doesn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n Example: Cuando mi novia quiere salir de compras conmigo me siento como con la soga al cuello.<\/em> Whenever my girlfriend wants to go out shopping I feel as if I have a rope tied to the neck.<\/p>\n \n via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n Literal meaning: Missing a screw<\/p>\n What it really means: To be crazy<\/p>\n To put it nicely, someone with a screw loose is an eccentric person. Or a nutjob and a wacko, if one can be so blunt about it.<\/p>\n Example: Est\u00e1 comprobado que las personas que odian el chocolate sufren de una rara enfermedad: \u00a1les falta un tornillo.<\/em> \/ It has been scientifically proven that those who hate chocolate suffer from a rare disease: they’re missing a screw!<\/p>\n Literal meaning: Two birds with one shot<\/p>\n What it really means: To get two things done at once<\/p>\n Similar to its English counterpart, when you hit two birds with one shot (or with one stone), you are accomplishing two things at once! (hey, good for you)<\/p>\n Example: Al quedarme dormido mat\u00e9 dos p\u00e1jaros de un solo tiro: ahorre energ\u00eda y mis empleados tienen tiempo extra para terminar sus obligaciones. <\/em>By falling asleep I killed two birds with one stone: I saved some energy and my employees have extra time to finish their obligations.<\/p>\n \n via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n Literal meaning: The hen that lays the golden eggs<\/p>\n What it really means: A source of wealth<\/p>\n Example: \u00a1Alg\u00fan d\u00eda encontrare mi gallina de los huevos de oro! <\/em>Someday I will find my chicken with the golden eggs!<\/p>\n Literal meaning: Put the foot in<\/p>\n What it really means: To screw up\/ to mess up\/ make a blunder<\/p>\n Example: Cuando me preguntan si poseo alguna habilidad especial yo siempre hago alarde de mi talento para meter la pata. <\/em>Whenever I’m asked if I have any special skill I always brag about my talent to screw up<\/p>\n Literal meaning: To cross the line<\/p>\n What it really means: To do something that can’t be tolerated<\/p>\n I\u2019m pretty sure you already know what crossing the line means, right? Same as with English, this one means that you have reached a point where you can no longer be tolerated.<\/p>\n Example: Nunca me paso de la raya, pero siempre busco estar encima de ella.<\/em> I never cross the line, but I always try to stay on top of it.<\/p>\n Literal meaning: Asking for pears from the elm<\/p>\n What it really means: Expect something that is impossible<\/p>\n This one is somewhat similar to the English counterpart \u201cgetting blood from a stone\u201d or \u201ctrying to squeeze blood from a stone\u201d. Either way, what you\u2019re asking for is impossible.<\/p>\n Example: Pedirle a nuestro gobierno transparencia total es como pedirle peras al olmo.<\/em> Asking our government for total transparency is like asking pears from an elm tree.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/span>\n See also:<\/p>\n Spanish Idioms Quiz: How Many of This Do You Know?<\/a><\/p>\n Popular Spanish Proverbs<\/a><\/p>\n Literal meaning: To put your finger on it<\/p>\n What it really means: To be straightforward about the source of a bad situation<\/p>\n Example: No le preguntes sobre su ruptura con su novio, eso s\u00ed es poner el dedo en la llaga. <\/em>Don’t ask her about her breakup with her boyfriend, now that’s really putting the finger on the wound.<\/p>\n Literal meaning: Get away with it<\/p>\n What it really means: To succeed at getting something through obnoxious methods<\/p>\n Example: Nuestra mascota siempre logra salirse con la suya.<\/em> Our pet always manages to get away with it.<\/p>\n \n via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n Literal meaning: to be eating bread<\/p>\n What it really means: to be easy<\/p>\n Example: Para m\u00ed, todas esas actividades son pan comido. <\/em>To me all of those activities are eaten bread.<\/p>\n Literal meaning: To be a zero to the left<\/p>\n What it really means: To not have any influence<\/p>\n Example: Tus comentarios negativos son un cero a la izquierda para nosotros. <\/em>Your negative comments are just a zero to the left to us.<\/p>\n Literal meaning: to have guts<\/p>\n What it really means: To be brave<\/p>\n Example: Tener las agallas para decir que no a una pizza gratis es una acci\u00f3n respetable… \u00a1y muy tonta! <\/em>Having the guts to say no to a free pizza is a respectable action… and a very foolish one too!<\/p>\n Literal meaning: At tough hardship<\/p>\n What it really means: To barely achieve something<\/p>\n Example: Pude terminar todo mi trabajo pendiente a duras penas. <\/em> I was barely able to finish all of my pending work.<\/p>\n Literal meaning: To cost an eye of the face<\/p>\n What it really means: Something very expensive<\/p>\n In English, it would cost you an arm and a leg. The Spanish version, however, is an eye. Either way, it means that something would cost you a fortune.<\/p>\n Example: Salir con mi familia casi siempre me cuesta un ojo de la cara. <\/em>Going out with my family almost always cost me an eye off my face.<\/p>\n Literal meaning: To lose the stirrup<\/p>\n What it really means: To get angry<\/p>\n \n via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n When you \u201close the stirrup\u201d, you\u2019ve basically lost your temper. It is also similar to the English idiom \u201cto fly off the handle\u201d.<\/p>\n Siempre pierdo los estribos cuando hablan mal de Derrick Rose. <\/em> I always lose it when people talk badly about Derrick Rose.<\/p>\n \n via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n Literal meaning: To throw wood to the fire<\/p>\n What it really means: To raise the intensity of something<\/p>\n When something is already burning and you add more wood to it, you are making things escalate further. This is quite similar to the English version \u201cto add fuel to the fire\u201d.<\/p>\n Example: Echar le\u00f1a al fuego cuando otros discuten es malo, \u00a1debemos asegurarnos de echar suficiente gasolina primero! <\/em>Throwing wood into the fire when others argue is bad, we should always make sure to put enough gasoline first!<\/p>\n Literal meaning: Of good faith<\/p>\n What it really means: To do something with good intentions<\/p>\n This one is self-explanatory. Doing something in good faith means you have clear intentions and aren\u2019t up to something shady.<\/p>\n Example: Todo lo que hago por mis amigos es de buena fe<\/em>. Everything I do for my friends is in good faith<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Spanish idioms are fun and easy enough to learn. They also make conversations so much more colorful. Which idiomatic expression is your favorite so far? Share it with us in the comments!<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Try using one of the Spanish idioms above in a sample sentence. Share it with us in the comments!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You can learn all the Spanish words that you want, but unless you understand common Spanish idioms, you\u2019d still be at a complete loss when talking to Spanish speakers. I mean, how would you know that a Spaniard is flirting with you when they refer to it as throwing disks at you (te tira los […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":913,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","tve_updated_post":" You can learn all the Spanish words that you want, but unless you understand common Spanish idioms, you\u2019d still be at a complete loss when talking to Spanish speakers.<\/p><\/div> I mean, how would you know that a Spaniard is flirting with you when they refer to it as throwing disks at you (te tira los tejos)<\/em>? And how are you to understand that a funny guy is also a horny person (es un cachondo<\/em>)?<\/p> Learning about Spanish idioms will not only make you truly understand real Spanish as it is actually spoken by native speakers\u2026.it will also make you sound a little more natural.<\/p> Sounds like a great deal, huh? So today, we\u2019ll take a look at 20 common Spanish idioms and discover what they mean.<\/p><\/div> Literal meaning: Hit on the nail<\/p> What it really means: To be assertive<\/p> Aggressive, assertive, unyielding\u2026.hard-hitting. This one\u2019s pretty easy to understand.<\/p> Example: \u00a1Nuestro gobierno nunca parece dar en el clavo con sus decisiones!<\/em> Our government never seems to hit on the nail with their decisions!<\/p> Literal meaning: Fall asleep in the laurels<\/p> What it really means: To cease to make an effort after achieving success<\/p> This is quite similar to the English version \u201cto rest on your laurels\u201d.<\/p> Example: Nuestro equipo simplemente se ha dormido en los laureles. Our team has simply fallen asleep on the laurels.<\/p> Literal meaning: Between the sword and the wall<\/p> What it really means: Having to choose between two equally bad things<\/p> Does this remind you of \u201ca rock and a hard place\u201d? It\u2019s basically the same thing.<\/p> Example: Mi amigo me ha puesto entre la espada y la pared, \u00a1quiere que elija entre gatos o perros! <\/em>My friend put me between the sword and the wall, he wants me to pick a favourite between cats or dogs!<\/p> Literal meaning: With the rope to the neck<\/p> What it really means: To be in a situation of a lot of pressure<\/p> A noose around your neck. That sure feels like a whole lot of pressure, doesn\u2019t it?<\/p> Example: Cuando mi novia quiere salir de compras conmigo me siento como con la soga al cuello.<\/em> Whenever my girlfriend wants to go out shopping I feel as if I have a rope tied to the neck.<\/p> Literal meaning: Missing a screw<\/p> What it really means: To be crazy<\/p> To put it nicely, someone with a screw loose is an eccentric person. Or a nutjob and a wacko, if one can be so blunt about it.<\/p> Example: Est\u00e1 comprobado que las personas que odian el chocolate sufren de una rara enfermedad: \u00a1les falta un tornillo.<\/em> \/ It has been scientifically proven that those who hate chocolate suffer from a rare disease: they're missing a screw!<\/p> Literal meaning: Two birds with one shot<\/p> What it really means: To get two things done at once<\/p> Similar to its English counterpart, when you hit two birds with one shot (or with one stone), you are accomplishing two things at once! (hey, good for you)<\/p> Example: Al quedarme dormido mat\u00e9 dos p\u00e1jaros de un solo tiro: ahorre energ\u00eda y mis empleados tienen tiempo extra para terminar sus obligaciones. <\/em>By falling asleep I killed two birds with one stone: I saved some energy and my employees have extra time to finish their obligations.<\/p> Literal meaning: The hen that lays the golden eggs<\/p> What it really means: A source of wealth<\/p> Example: \u00a1Alg\u00fan d\u00eda encontrare mi gallina de los huevos de oro! <\/em>Someday I will find my chicken with the golden eggs!<\/p> Literal meaning: Put the foot in<\/p> What it really means: To screw up\/ to mess up\/ make a blunder<\/p> Example: Cuando me preguntan si poseo alguna habilidad especial yo siempre hago alarde de mi talento para meter la pata. <\/em>Whenever I'm asked if I have any special skill I always brag about my talent to screw up<\/p> Literal meaning: To cross the line<\/p> What it really means: To do something that can't be tolerated<\/p> I\u2019m pretty sure you already know what crossing the line means, right? Same as with English, this one means that you have reached a point where you can no longer be tolerated.<\/p> Example: Nunca me paso de la raya, pero siempre busco estar encima de ella.<\/em> I never cross the line, but I always try to stay on top of it.<\/p> Literal meaning: Asking for pears from the elm<\/p> What it really means: Expect something that is impossible<\/p> This one is somewhat similar to the English counterpart \u201cgetting blood from a stone\u201d or \u201ctrying to squeeze blood from a stone\u201d. Either way, what you\u2019re asking for is impossible.<\/p> Example: Pedirle a nuestro gobierno transparencia total es como pedirle peras al olmo.<\/em> Asking our government for total transparency is like asking pears from an elm tree.<\/p> [thrive_leads id='2261']<\/p> See also:<\/p> Spanish Idioms Quiz: How Many of This Do You Know?<\/a><\/p>1 . Dar en el clavo<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Dormirse en los laureles<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. Entre la espada y la pared<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Con la soga al cuello<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Le falta un tornillo<\/strong><\/h3>\n
6. Dos pajaros de un tiro<\/strong><\/h3>\n
7. La gallina de los huevos de oro<\/strong><\/h3>\n
8. Meter la pata<\/strong><\/h3>\n
9. Pasarse de la raya<\/strong><\/h3>\n
10. Pedir peras al olmo<\/strong><\/h3>\n
11. Poner el dedo en la llaga<\/strong><\/h3>\n
12. Salirse con la suya<\/strong><\/h3>\n
13. Ser pan comido<\/strong><\/h3>\n
14. Ser un cero a la izquierda<\/strong><\/h3>\n
15. Tener agallas<\/strong><\/h3>\n
16. A duras penas<\/strong><\/h3>\n
17. Costar un ojo de la cara<\/strong><\/h3>\n
18. Perder los estribos<\/strong><\/h3>\n
19. Echar le\u00f1a al fuego<\/strong><\/h3>\n
20. De buena fe<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n
Writing practice<\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/div>1 . Dar en el clavo<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
2. Dormirse en los laureles<\/strong><\/h3>
3. Entre la espada y la pared<\/strong><\/h3>
4. Con la soga al cuello<\/strong><\/h3>
5. Le falta un tornillo<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
6. Dos pajaros de un tiro<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
7. La gallina de los huevos de oro<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
8. Meter la pata<\/strong><\/h3>
9. Pasarse de la raya<\/strong><\/h3>
10. Pedir peras al olmo<\/strong><\/h3>