The Big Red Book of Spanish Idioms

by Peter Weibel

  ¡Vete a paseo! (fig., fam.) Go to hell! (fam.) Go to blazes! (sl.) Get lost! (fam.)

  dar el paseo a alg. (fig., Esp.) to shoot and kill s.o., to bump s.o. off (sl.)

  el pasmarote (fam.) halfwit, idiot, dummy (fam., Am.E.) ¡No te quedes ahí como un pasmarote! Don’t just stand there like an idiot!

  el paso step, way

  a pasos agigantados (fig.) by leaps and bounds (fig.), with giant strides (fig.) Las ganancias aumentaron a pasos agigantados. The profits increased by leaps and bounds. La informática sigue avanzando a pasos agigantados. Computer science is still advancing by leaps and bounds. Giant strides are still being made in computer science.

  dar los primeros pasos (fig.) to take one’s first steps (fig.), to start out (fam., Am.E.) Da los primeros pasos como escritor. He’s taking his first steps as a writer.

  marcar el paso (fig.) to mark time (fig.), not to get anywhere, to get nowhere

  salir al paso de algo (fig.) to nip s.th. in the bud (fig., fam.), to strangle s.th. at birth (fig., fam.), to forestall s.th.

  salir al paso a/de alg. (fig.) (a) to make concessions toward[s] s.o. (b) to confont s.o.

  seguir los pasos de alg. (fig.) to follow s.o.’s example, to follow in s.o.’s footsteps (fig.), to tread in s.o.’s steps (fig.) El hijo siguió los pasos de su padre. The son followed his father’s example.

  volver sobre sus pasos (fig.) to retract

  El primer paso es el que cuesta. (prov.) Nothing’s easy to start off with.

  paso (a ~ de buey/tortuga)

  la pasta dough, paste

  la pasta (fig., fam.) (money): dough (sl., Am.E.), bread (sl.), sugar (sl.), brass/dosh/lolly (sl., Br.E.), wampum (sl., Am.E.)

  soltar la pasta to cough up (fam.), to fork out (fam.), to stump up (fam., Br.E.)

  la pasta gansa (fig., fam.) big money

  el pastel pie, cake

  descubrir el pastel (fig., fam.) (a) to smell a rat (fig.), to get onto s.th. (fam.), to get wise to s.th. (fam.) (b) to take the lid off s.th. (fig., fam.), to expose s.th. (fig.), to give the game or show away (fam.), to blow the gaff (fam., Br.E.), to let the cat out of the bag Se le descubrió el pastel. He was found out. Somebody saw through his little game. His little game was found out. The lid was taken off his operation.

  quitar la hojaldre al pastel (fig.) to [try to] expose s.th. (fig.)

  la pastilla tablet

  a toda pastilla (fam., Esp.) [at] full lick (fam.), full-belt (sl.), at top speed, flat out (fam.), full blast (fam.) Trabajan a toda pastilla. They’re working flat out. Íbamos a toda pastilla. We were driving/going flat out or full-belt or at top speed or at full lick. Pusieron la música a toda pastilla. They put the music on full blast. Subió el volumen de la radio a toda pastilla. He turned the radio up full blast.

  el pasto pasture, fodder

  ser pasto de algo (fig.) El edificio fue pasto de la llamas. The building was engulfed in flames or was destroyed by fire. Su hermana es pasto de la murmuración. His sister is the subject of gossip. His sister sets tongues wagging. (fam.) El escándalo fue pasto de la prensa amarilla. The scandal was just what the tabloids were waiting for.

  a todo pasto (fam.) beber a todo pasto to drink to excess comer a todo pasto to eat until one is fit to burst (fam.), to eat until one is [as] full/tight as a tick (fam.) Comí y bebí a todo pasto. I ate and drank to my heart’s content. fumar a todo pasto to smoke like a chimney (fig.)

  la pata paw

  la pata (fig., pop., hum.) hand, paw (fam.), mitt (sl., Am.E.), leg/foot (person), leg (chair/table/etc.)

  la pata de palo (fam.) wooden leg

  ir a la pata chula (fig., pop.) to limp itener mala pata (fam.) to have bad luck, to be unlucky

  tener buena pata (fam.) to be lucky

  meter la pata (fig., fam.) to put one’s foot in it (fam.), to put one’s foot in one’s mouth (fam., Am.E.), to blot one’s copybook (fam.), to step out of line (fig.), to make a blunder, to make a boob (sl.), to show o.s. up

  estirar la pata (fig., fam.) to kick the bucket (fam.) cascar[la]

  a pata (fam.) on foot

  patas de gallo (fig.) crow’s feet (wrinkles at the corner of the eyes)

  estar patas arriba (fig., pop.) to be stone-dead (fam.), to be as dead as a doornail (fam.), to be as dead as mutton (fam.)

  patas arriba (fig., fam.) upside down, topsy-turvy, in a complete mess (fig.), a[n absolute] shambles (fig.) Tiene toda la casa patas arriba. His house is in a complete mess or is an absolute shambles.

  salir/quedar pata[s] (fig.) to draw even, to tie, to end in a tie/draw

  la patada kick

  dar la patada a alg. (fam.) (a) to ditch s.o. (sl.), to dump s.o. (fam.), to jilt s.o., to drop s.o., to give s.o. the bird (fam.) (b) to give s.o. the boot (fam.) dar el bote a alg.

  dar a alg. una patada en el culo (pop.) to kick s.o. up the backside (fam.)

  echar a alg. a patadas (fam.) to kick s.o. out Lo echaron del bar a patadas. He got kicked out of the bar.

  tratar a alg. a patadas (fig.) to treat s.o. [very] badly/rudely, to treat s.o. like dirt (fam.)

  a patadas (fig., fam.) in abundance, galore Había frutas a patadas. There were fruits galore.

  el patán (fam.) rustic, yokel

  el patán (fig., fam.) lout, yob (fam., Br.E.), boor (fig.)

  la patata potato

  la patata (fig., fam.) watch, fob watch

  una patata caliente (fig.) hot potato (fig.), hot issue

  ser una patata (fam., Esp.) to be a dud (fam.), to be a lemon (fam.)

  no entender ni patata (fam.) not to understand a word [of it]

  no saber ni patata de algo (fam.) not to know beans about s.th. (sl., Am.E.)

  patear a alg. (pop.) to boo s.o., to give s.o. the bird (fam.)

  la patena paten

  limpio como una patena (fig.) spick-and-span (fam.), squeaky clean (fam.), as bright/clean as a new pin (fig.), like a new pin (fig.), spotless Tiene la casa limpia como una patena. She keeps her house spick-and-span.

  patita (poner a alg. de ~s en la calle)

  el pato duck

  [tener que] pagar el pato (fig., fam.) to [have to] foot the bill, to [have to] carry the can (fam., Br.E.), to [have to] take the rap (sl., Am.E.), to be left holding the baby (Br.E.) or the bag (Am.E.) (fam.), to [have to] take the blame, to get the blame Ella pagó el pato. She footed the bill.

  estar hecho un pato (fig., fam.) to be soaked to the skin, to be wet through, to be soaking/dripping wet, to be drenched, not to have a dry stitch on one (fam.)

  paular (fam.)

  sin paular ni maular without a word, without so much as a word Lo aceptaron sin paular ni maular. They took it without a word.

  la pava (pop.) dog/fag end (fam., Br.E.), cigarette butt/end

  la pava turkey (hen)

  vivir/estar como pava en corral (fig.) to live/be in clover (fig.), to be as snug as a bug in a rug (fam.)

  la pavesa little particle of burning soot

  estar hecho una pavesa (fig., fam.) to be very weak

  el pavipollo young turkey

  un pavipollo (fig., fam.) twit (fam., Br.E.), idiot

  el pavo turkey (cock)

  comer pavo (fig., fam.) to be a wallflower (a girl that is not attractive and therefore is not asked to dance) (fig., fam.) Estaba comiendo pavo. Nobody asked her to dance.

  subírsele a alg. el pavo o ponerse hecho un pavo (fig., fam.) to blush like a beetroot (fam., Br.E.), to blush like a lobster (fig.), to go [bright] red

  un pavo (pop., Esp.) one duro (5-peseta coin)

  pavo (la edad del ~)

  paz (dejar la fiesta en ~)

  la pe name of the letter P/p

  de pe a pa (fam.) from A to Z de cabo a cabo

  la pea (pop.) drunkenness

  coger una pea to get legless (fam., Br.E.) cocerse (a)

  el pecado sin

  ser más original que el pecado (fig., fam.) to be more than imaginative

  sería un pecado no … (fam.) it would be a
sin (fig.) or a crime (fam.) not to …, it would be such a pity not to … Sería un pecado no hacerlo. It would be a sin not to do it. Sería un pecado no aprovecharlo. It would be such a pity not to make use of it.

  de mis pecados (fam.) damned (fam.), wretched este coche de mis pecados this wretched car of mine estas cuentas de mis pecados these damned bills

  pecado (ignorancia no quita ~)

  pecado (ser más feo que el ~)

  pecar to sin

  pecar de + adj. (fig.) to be [far/much] too + adj. pecar de generoso to be far too generous pecar de confiado to be too gullible pecar de ingenuo to be very naïve pecar de tonto to be as thick as they come no pecar de guapo to be anything but pretty or handsome, not to be exactly what you might call pretty or handsome

  Nunca se peca por demasiado cuidado. One can’t be too careful.

  pecar por exceso

  el pecho chest, breast

  no caberle algo a alg. en el pecho (fig.) s.o. can’t keep s.th. to himself, s.o. can’t keep s.th. under his hat (fam.) No les cabía el secreto en el pecho. They couldn’t keep the secret to themselves.

  no quedarse con nada en el pecho (fig., fam.) to talk (fam.), to blab (fam.), to spit it all out (fig.), to spill the beans (sl.)

  no pudrírsele a alg. nada o las cosas en el pecho (fig., fam.) s.o. can’t keep anything to himself, s.o. can’t keep anything [a] secret, s.o. can’t keep mum (fam.), s.o. can’t keep his mouth shut (fam.) No se le pudren las cosas en el pecho a ella. She can’t keep anything to herself. She can’t keep anything a secret.

  quedarse con algo entre pecho y espalda (fig.) to keep s.th. back

  echarse algo entre pecho y espalda (fam.) to drink s.th. down, to eat s.th. right up echarse algo al coleto (a), (b)

  descubrir/abrir el pecho a alg. (fig.) to pour one’s heart out to s.o., to unbosom o.s. to s.o.

  tomar algo a pecho[s] (fig.) to take s.th. to heart, to take s.th. seriously

  ¡Pecho al agua! (fig.) Courage! Chin up! (fam.)

  a pecho descubierto (fig.) intrepidly, undauntedly, boldly Se abalanzaron a pecho descubierto sobre el enemigo. They threw themselves intrepidly upon the enemy.

  ser hombre de pelo en pecho (fig., fam.) to be a real man, to be some guy (fam.)

  pecho (a lo hecho, ~)

  pecho (darse con un canto en los ~s)

  pecho (no caberle a alg. el corazón en ~)

  pecho (poner el puñal en el ~ a alg.)

  el pedal pedal

  hundir el pedal to floor it (fam., Am.E.), to put one’s foot down hard (fam.), to step on it (fam.), to go/drive at top speed, to go/drive flat out (fam.)

  el pedazo piece

  el pedazo del alma o del corazón o de las entrañas (fig., fam.) one’s darling, one’s love pedazo de mi alma o de mi corazón o de mis entrañas my darling, my love

  ser un pedazo de pan (fig., fam.) to be very good-natured, to be terribly nice (fam.)

  comprar algo por un pedazo de pan (fig.) to buy s.th. for a song (fig., fam.)

  vender algo por un pedazo de pan (fig.) to sell s.th. for a song (fig., fam.)

  trabajar por un pedazo de pan (fig., fam.) to work for peanuts (fam.), to work for a mere pittance

  estar hecho pedazos (fig., fam.) to be completely shattered (fam., Br.E.) estar hecho cisco

  pedazo (caerse [a ~s] de viejo)

  pedazo de alcornoque/atún/gloria

  el pedo (pop.) fart (vulg.)

  soltar/tirar[se] un pedo to fart (vulg.), to let off [a fart] (fam., Br.E.)

  el pedo (fam.) (a) drunkenness (b) trip (drug-induced) (sl.)

  agarrar[se] un pedo to get drunk cocerse (a)

  estar/andar pedo (a) (on drugs): to be high (fam.), to be on a trip (sl.), to be out of one’s head (sl.), to be stoned (sl.) (b) (drunk): to be sloshed (fam.), to be plastered (fam.), to be stoned (sl.), to be out of one’s head (sl.)

  la pedorrera (vulg.) string of farts (vulg.)

  soltar una pedorrera to let off a string of farts

  la pedrada throw of a stone

  caer/sentar como una pedrada (fig., fam.) to take it very ill, to go down very badly (fig.) La cosa le sentó como una pedrada al jefe. The boss took it very ill. The affair went down very badly with the boss.

  encajar/caer como pedrada en ojo de boticario (fig., fam.) to be a perfect fit/match

  venir como pedrada en ojo de boticario (fig., fam.) to be just what s.o. needs/needed, to be just what the doctor ordered (fig., fam.) El dinero me vino como pedrada en ojo de boticario. The money was just what I needed.

  matar a alg. a pedradas to stone s.o. to death

  Pedro Peter

  como Pedro por/en su casa (fig., fam.) quite uninhibitedly, as if one owned the place Se pasea por nuestro jardín como Pedro por su casa. He walks around in our garden as if he owned the place. Esa hembra entró como Pedro en su casa. That female came in as if she owned the place. That female came in quite uninhibitedly.

  Pedro Botero (las calderas de ~)

  la pega pitching, coat of pitch

  saber a la pega (fig., fam.) to have been brought up badly, s.o.’s manners betray or reveal a bad upbringing (fig.)

  pegar to stick

  no pegar (fig.) (a) not to make sense, not to add up (fig.) (b) not to go together No pega. It doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t add up. Estos colores no pegan. These colors don’t go together. Esta corbata no pega con tu chaqueta. This tie doesn’t go with your jacket. El vino tinto no pega con una fondue. Red wine doesn’t go [well] with a fondue.

  pegársela a alg. (fig., fam.) (a) to cuckold s.o., to deceive s.o., to be unfaithful to s.o., to cheat on s.o. (fam., Am.E.) (b) to double-cross s.o., to trick s.o., to take s.o. for a ride (fam.), to cheat s.o., to do s.o. down (fam., Br.E.) Se la pega a su marido. She’s cheating on her husband.

  pegar (no ~ ni con cola)

  pegar (ser más feo que ~ a Dios/a la madre)

  pegarse como una lapa a alg.

  pelado bald, bare, shorn

  [el] veinte/etc. pelado (fig.) exactly twenty/etc., twenty/etc. as a round number

  estar pelado (fig., fam.) to be broke (fam.), to be skint (fam., Br.E.) Salieron pelados del casino. They lost their shirts at the casino. (fig.)

  dejar pelado a alg. (fig., fam.) to fleece s.o. (fig.), to milk s.o. (fig.)

  el pelaje [thick] hair

  tener el pelaje de la dehesa (fig.) to betray (fig.) one’s rustic/humble origins

  pelar to cut the hair, to shear

  ser [un huevo] duro de pelar (fig., fam.) to be a hard nut to crack (fig.), to be a brain-twister (fam.), to be a tough one (fam.), to be a tough job (fam.)

  pelársela (vulg.) (to masturbate) tocar la campana

  pelar la jeta (pop.) to be pretty strong stuff (fam.) pasar de castaño oscuro Eso pela la jeta. That’s pretty strong stuff.

  hacer un frío que pela (fig., fam.) to be [absolutely] freezing (fam.), to be freezing cold (fam.), to be cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey (fam., Br.E.), to be brass monkey weather (sl., Br.E.), not to be half cold (fam., Br.E.)

  … que se las pela (fig., fam.) Corre que se las pela. He runs like the wind. (fam.) He runs like nobody’s business. (fam.) Miente que se las pela. She lies through her teeth. (fam.) She lies like nobody’s business. (fam.) Bailan que se las pelan. They’re dancing wildly and untiringly. They’re dancing like nobody’s business. (fam.)

  pelárselas por algo (fig., fam.) to crave for s.th., to drool over s.th. (fig.), to be very much after s.th.

  pelar (corre un gris que pela)

  pelechar to grow hair/feathers

  no pelechar (fig.) not to get anywhere, to get nowhere

  la película film

  contar su película a alg. (fam.) to pour one’s heart out to s.o.

  de película (fig., fam.) fantastic (fam.), incredible (fig.), absolutely wonderful, dream … (fig.) Viven en una casa de película. They live in a dream house. Anoche ocurrió algo de película. Something incredible happened last night.

  pe
ligro ( abocar a: verse abocado a un ~)

  el pelillo small hair

  echar pelillos a la mar (fig., fam.) to bury the hatchet (fig.), to make it up

  [no] pararse en pelillos (fig.) [not] to waste one’s time on little things, [not] to stick at trifles, [not] to split hairs

  el pellejo pelt, wineskin

  no caber en el pellejo (fig., fam.) to be very fat, to be [as] fat as a pig/sow (fam.)

  no caber en el pellejo de alegría (fig., fam.) to be bursting with joy (fig.), to be beside o.s. with joy (fig.)

  no caber en el pellejo de orgullo (fig., fam.) to be bursting [at the seams] with pride (fig.)

  salvar el pellejo (fig., fam.) to save one’s skin/neck (fam.), to save one’s bacon (fam., hum.), to save one’s life

  salvar el pellejo a alg. (fig., fam.) to save s.o.’s skin/neck (fam.), to save s.o.’s bacon (fam., hum.), to save s.o.’s life

  jugarse el pellejo (fig., fam.) to risk one’s neck (fam.), to risk one’s life

  no tener más que el pellejo (fam.) to be all skin and bone (fam.)

  No quisiera estar en su pellejo. (fam.) I wouldn’t like to be in his shoes. (fam.)

  mudar el pellejo (fig., fam.) to change, to change one’s life

  dar/soltar el pellejo (fam.) to die, to lose one’s life

  estar hecho un pellejo (fig., fam.) to be blind drunk (fam.) estar hecho un cesto

  pellizcar to pinch

  pellizcar los céntimos (fig., fam.) to count every penny, to be very stingy

  el pelo hair

  agarrarse o asirse a un pelo (fig., fam.) to clutch at straws, to clutch at any opportunity

  cortar un pelo en el aire (fig.) to be too clever by half (fam., Br.E.)

  dar a alg. para el pelo (fig., fam.) to beat s.o. up, to give s.o. a thrashing

  estar a medios pelos (fig., fam.) to be tipsy, to be tiddly (fam., Br.E.), to be sozzled (sl., Br.E.), to be half-seas over (fam.)

  echar buen pelo (fig., fam.) to be coming along [again], to be getting on fine [again], to be getting on one’s feet again (fig.)

  tener el pelo de la dehesa (fig.) to betray (fig.) one’s rustic/humble origins

  no tener un pelo de tonto (fig., fam.) to be no fool, to be nobody’s fool, there are no flies on s.o. (fam.)

  tener pelos en el corazón (fig., fam.) to have no heart (fig.)

  tener pelos en la lengua (fig., fam.) to be a tough one (fam.), to be a bitch (woman, sl.)