by Peter Weibel
traérselas (fig., fam.) Este problema se las trae. This is a difficult problem. El asunto se las trae. It’s a tough one. (fig.) It’s a sticky business. (fig., fam.) El trabajo se las traía. It was a difficult or tough (fig.) job. The job was tough going. (fam.) El examen real-mente se las traía. The exam was really tough. (fig.) Hace un calor que se las trae. This heat is too much of a good thing. This is an unbearable heat.
las tragaderas (fam.) gullet
tener buenas tragaderas (fig., fam.) (a) to be a big eater (b) to be very gullible, to swallow anything (fig.) (c) to put up with a lot, to be excessively tolerant
el/la tragaldabas (fam.) glutton, greedy-guts (hum., Br.E.)
el tragantón, la tragantona (fam.) glut-ton, greedy-guts (hum., Br.E.), guzzler (fam., Br.E.)
el/la tragaperras (fam.) slot machine, one-armed bandit (fam.)
tragar to swallow
no poder tragar a alg. (fig., fam.) s.o. can’t stand s.o., s.o. can’t stomach s.o. (fig.)
tragarlo (fig., fam.) to lie down under it (fig.), to take it lying down (fig.) Lo tragó. He lay down under it. Ésta no la tragamos. We won’t take this lying down.
tragárselas (fig., fam.) to put up with any-thing
tragar[se]las como puños (fig., fam.) to swallow anything (fig.), to buy anything (sl., Am.E.) Las tragará como puños. He’ll swallow anything. Se las tragó como puños. He bought it, the whole ball of wax. (fam, Am.E.)
tragar[se]las como ruedas de molino (fig., fam.) to swallow anything hook, line and sinker (fig.) Inventaron un cuento para explicar por qué habían faltado al colegio. El profesor se las tragó como ruedas de molino. They made up a story about why they had been absent from school. The teacher swallowed it hook, line and sinker.
tragar quina/saliva
tragarse la tierra a alg.
el trago sip, swig (fam.)
atizarse un trago (pop.) to hoist one (sl., Am.E.), to have a swig (fam.), to have a drink
pasar un trago amargo (fig.) to have a hard/rough time, to go through a bad/rough patch (Br.E.)
ser un trago amargo (fig.) to be a bitter pill [to swallow] (fig.), to be an awful or a bad experience, to be a cruel/terrible blow (fig.) Fue un trago amargo para él cuando su hija murió de una sobredosis de heroína. It was a bitter pill for him to swallow when his daughter ODed on heroin.
quedarle a alg. todavía el trago más amargo (fig.) the worst [of it] is yet/still to come Me/nos quedaba todavía el trago más amargo. The worst of it was still to come.
el tragón, la tragona (fam.) glutton, greedy-guts (hum., Br.E.), guzzler (fam., Br.E.)
el traje suit, dress
cortar un traje a alg. (fig., fam.) to gossip about s.o.
cortar trajes (fig., fam.) to gossip
traje (en ~ de Adán/Eva)
la tramontana north wind
perder la tramontana (fig., fam.) to lose one’s head
la trampa trap
hacer trampa[s] (fig., fam.) to cheat, to swindle, to be on the fiddle (fam., Br.E.) Hicieron trampa con los votos. They fiddled the voting. (fam., Br.E.) They juggled with the votes. (fig.)
las trampas (fig., fam.) debt estar comido de trampas to be up to one’s ears/eyeballs in debt (fam.), to be in Queer Street (fam., Br.E.)
trampa (hecha la ley, hecha la ~)
el trance critical juncture
a todo trance (fig.) at all costs (fig.), at any cost (fig.), whatever happens Hay que evitarlo a todo trance. It must be avoided at all costs.
el tranco big step, stride
en dos trancos (fig.) in two shakes [of a lamb’s tail] (fam., Am.E.), in two or in a couple of ticks (fam., Br.E.), before you can say Jack Robinson (fam.) Estoy allí en dos trancos. I’ll be there in two shakes/ticks or before you can say Jack Robinson.
el tranquillo (fig.) knack
coger el tranquillo a algo to get the knack of s.th., to get the hang of s.th. (fam.)
la trapaza swindle, fiddle (fam., Br.E.)
el bachiller Trapazas (fig., fam.) crook, swindler, racketeer, schemer, shyster (sl., Am.E.)
trapito (los trapos/~s de cristianar)
el trapo rag
los trapos/trapitos de cristianar (fig., fam.) one’s Sunday best (fam.), one’s glad rags (fam., Br.E.) Se puso los trapitos de cristianar. He put on his Sunday best.
poner a alg. como un trapo (fig.) (a) (debate): to flatten s.o. (fam.), to tear s.o. to pieces or to shreds or to bits (fig., fam.) (b) (to scold): to give s.o. a [good] dressing-down (fam.), to haul s.o. over the coals (fig.)
lavar los trapos sucios ante el mundo entero (fig.) to wash one’s dirty linen in public (fig.)
lavar los trapos sucios en casa (fig.) not to wash one’s dirty linen in public (fig.)
Los trapos sucios se lavan en casa. (fig.) You shouldn’t wash your dirty linen in pub-lic. (fig.)
sacar los trapos [sucios] a relucir (fig.) to bring out the skeletons in the closet (Am.E.) or in the cupboard (Br.E.) (fig.), to tell [a lot of] home truths Temen que la comisión investigadora saque todos los trapos a relucir. They fear that the investigating committee will bring out all the skeletons in the cupboard or will reveal all their [little] secrets.
ocultar los trapos sucios (fig.) to sweep it under the carpet (Br.E.) or under the rug (fig.)
soltar el trapo (fig., fam.) (a) to burst out laughing (b) to burst out crying, to burst into tears
hablar de trapos (fig., fam.) to talk about clothes/fashion
gastar una barbaridad en trapos (fig., fam.) to spend an awful lot on clothes
navegar a todo trapo (fig., fam.) to make an all-out effort, to make a supreme effort
trasconejar algo (fig., fam.) to mislay/misplace s.th., to lose s.th.
trasero back, rear, hind
el trasero (fam.) behind (fam., euph.), back-side (fam.), bottom (fam.), posterior (euph.), butt (fam., Am.E.), bum (fam., Br.E.)
traspintarse (fig., fam.) to turn out [very] differently or things turn out [very] differently [than one thinks/expects]
el traspontín (fam.) backside (fam.), behind (fam., euph.), bottom (fam.), posterior (euph.), butt (fam., Am.E.), bum (fam., Br.E.)
trasquilar (ir por lana y volver trasquilado)
la trastienda back room of a shop
la trastienda (fig., fam.) backside (fam.), behind (fam., euph.), bottom (fam.), posterior (euph.), butt (fam., Am.E.), bum (fam., Br.E.)
tener mucha trastienda (fig., fam.) to be very crafty, to be as sly as they come (fam.)
el trasto household utensil
el trasto (fig., fam.) good-for-nothing
los trastos (fam.) things, stuff (fam.), goods and chattels (fam., Br.E.) ¿Tienes tus trastos? Have you got [all] your things [together]?
tirar los trastos (fig., fam.) to chuck the whole thing (fam.), to chuck it all in/up (fam., Br.E.)
tirarse los trastos a la cabeza (fig., fam.) to have a blazing or a flaming [marital] row (fig., fam.)
tratar a alg. a coces ( coz)
tratar a alg. a cuerpo de rey
tratar a alg. a patadas/zapatazos
tratar a alg. como a un perro
trece thirteen
mantenerse/seguir en sus trece (fig., fam.) to stick to one’s guns (fig.), to hold/stand one’s ground (fig.), to stand firm (fig.), to stick firmly to one’s opinion
trecho (del dicho al hecho hay mucho ~)
la tremolina (fig., fam.) row (fam.), rumpus (fam.), ruckus (fam.), commotion Ayer se armó la/una tremolina. It was chaos yesterday. There was one hell of a row yesterday. There was a terrible rumpus yesterday.
el tren train
estar como un tren (fig., fam., Esp.) to have a great figure, to be hot stuff (fam.), to look terrific (fam.), to have stunning good looks
vivir a todo tren (fig.) to live on the fat of the land, to live high on the hog (fam., Am.E.), to live in grand style, to live a luxurious lifestyle, to live like a king (fig.)
la trena (pop.) jail, prison, clink (sl., Br.E.), can (sl., Am.E.), slammer (s
l.), jug (sl.), nick (sl., Br.E.)
estar en la trena to be in prison estar a la sombra
tres three
como [que] tres y dos son cinco (fig., fam.) as sure as eggs is/are eggs (fam., Br.E.), as sure as sure can be, as sure as the day is long (Am.E.), as sure as night follows day (Br.E.) Fue ella, como que tres y dos son cinco. As sure as eggs is eggs, it was she.
ni a la de tres (fig., fam.) not possibly, on no account, by no or not by any manner of means, not for the life of one (fam.) No puedo convencerla ni a la de tres. I cannot possibly persuade her. I cannot persuade her for the life of me.
tres (en un dos por ~)
tres (no ver ~ en un burro)
el trigo wheat
el trigo (fig., fam.) (money): dough (sl., Am.E.), bread (sl.), sugar (sl.), brass/dosh/lolly (sl., Br.E.), wampum (sl., Am.E.)
no ser algo/alg. trigo limpio (fig., fam.) (a) (s.th.): to be dishonest, to be fishy (fam.), to be dubious, not to be kosher (fig.), not to be aboveboard (b) (s.o.): not to be trustworthy, to be dishonest, to be a shady customer (fam.), to be a fly-by-night (fam.)
trinar to trill, to warble
estar alg. que trina (fig., fam.) to be hop-ping mad (fam.) estar hecho un basilisco Tu amigo está que trina. Your friend’s hopping mad.
la tripa intestine
echar tripa (fig., fam.) to start to get a paunch (fam.), to put on weight
sacar la tripa de mal año (fam.) to eat one’s fill, to eat well
hacer una tripa a alg. (fig., pop.) to get/make s.o. pregnant, to get s.o. in the family way (fam.), to knock s.o. up (sl.)
echar las tripas (fig., fam.) to spew one’s guts out (sl.), to throw up violently
revolver las tripas a alg. (fig., fam.) to turn s.o.’s stomach (fig.), to make s.o.’s stomach turn (fig.), to make s.o. sick to his stomach (fig.), to make s.o. [want to] puke (fam.) Esto me revuelve las tripas. This makes me sick to my stomach.
sacar las tripas a alg. (fig., fam.) to fleece s.o. of everything (fig.), to milk s.o. dry (fig.)
hacer de tripas corazón (fig.) (a) to pluck up (fig.) or screw up [one’s] courage (b) to make a virtue of necessity (c) to grasp the nettle (fig.), to grin and bear it (fam.)
tener malas tripas (fig.) to be cruel
la tripita diminutive of tripa
salir con [una] tripita (fig., fam.) to get pregnant
el triunfo triumph, trump
echar un triunfo (fig.) to play one’s trump card (fig.)
tener todos los triunfos [en la mano] (fig.) to hold all the trumps (fig.)
triunfo (las mieles del ~)
la trompa trunk (elephant)
la trompa (fig., fam.) (a) big nose, big conk (sl., Br.E.), big hooter (fam., hum.) (b) drunkenness
estar trompa to be plastered (fam.), to be sloshed (fam.), to be tight (fam.), to be smashed (sl.)
coger[se] una trompa to get plastered (fam.), to get tight (fam.)
el trompo spinning top
ponerse como un trompo (fig., fam.) to stuff o.s. (fam.), to eat to bursting point
roncar como un trompo (fig.) to snore heavily, to saw wood (fig., hum.)
el troncho stalk
el troncho (pop.) (penis) el calvo
el tronco trunk (tree)
dormir como un tronco (fam.) to sleep like a log (fam.)
dormirse o quedarse dormido como un tronco (fam.) to go out like a light (fig., fam.)
el trotacalles (fam., pej.) loafer, bum (fam., pej., Am.E.)
la trotacalles (fam.) (a) loafer, bum (fam., pej., Am.E.) (b) streetwalker, prostitute
la trotaconventos (fig., fam.) procuress, go-between
el trote trot
para todo trote (fig., fam.) for everyday use Zapatos para todo trote. Shoes for everyday use.
andar a trote corto (fig.) (walking): to mince
ya no estar para esos trotes (fig.) to be too old for that [sort of thing], not to be up to that [sort of thing] any more Ya no estamos para esos trotes. We’re not up to that sort of thing any more.
la trucha trout
pescar una trucha (fig., fam.) to get soaked to the skin
No se pescan truchas a bragas enjutas. (prov.) No pains, no gains. (prov.)
el trueno thunder
salir del trueno y dar con el relámpago to jump out of the frying pan into the fire
la tuerca (mechanics): nut
tener una tuerca floja (fig.) to have a screw loose (fam.), to have rocks in one’s head (sl., Am.E.), not to be all there (fam.) Tiene una tuerca floja. He’s not all there.
apretar las tuercas a alg. (fig.) to put the screws on s.o. (fig.), to put the pressure on s.o. (fig.), to apply pressure on s.o. (fig.)
tuerto (en tierra de ciegos el ~ es rey)
el tuétano marrow
estar mojado hasta los tuétanos (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.)
estar enamorado hasta los tuétanos (fig., fam.) to be head over heels in love Está enamorado hasta los tuétanos de ella. He’s head over heels in love with her.
ser español/etc. hasta los tuétanos (fig., fam.) to be a Spaniard/etc. to the core (fig.) or through and through
el tufo stink
tener muchos tufos (fig., fam.) to be very conceited, to be [as] conceited as a barber’s cat (fam.), to think no end of o.s. (fam.)
la tumba grave
tener un pie en la tumba (fig.) to have one foot in the grave (fig.) Mi abuelo tiene 92 años. Está con un pie en la tumba. My grandfather is 92 years old. He has one foot in the grave.
cavar su propia tumba (fig.) to dig one’s own grave (fig.)
estar mudo como una tumba o ser [como] una tumba (fig.) to be [as] silent as the grave, to keep absolutely quiet, to shut up like a clam (fam.), to keep one’s mouth shut (fam.)
correr/lanzarse a tumba abierta (fam.) to go at full lick (fam.), to go like the clappers (fam., Br.E.), to go/drive flat out (fam.)
tumbar to knock down, to knock to the ground
tumbar a alg. (fig., fam.) to waste s.o. (sl., Am.E.) cargarse a alg. (a)
tumbar a una mujer (fig., fam.) to lay a woman (sl.), to knock a woman off (sl., Br.E.) calzar[se] a alg.
beber hasta tumbar a alg. (fig.) to drink s.o. under the table
la tunda shearing
pegar una tunda a alg. (fig., fam.) to give s.o. a [good] hiding/thrashing (fam.)
túnel (hay luz al final del ~)
el tupé toupee
el tupé (fig., fam.) cheek (fam.), nerve (sl.) Tuvo el tupé de volver a asomar la jeta por aquí. He had the nerve to show his face around here again.
turco (cabeza de ~)
la tutía zinc oxide preparation
[Contra eso] no hay tutía. (fig., fam.) There’s no cure for that [yet].
U
Úbeda (irse por los cerros de ~)
último last
ir vestido a la última (fam.) to be dressed in the latest fashion/style Siempre va vestida a la última. She’s always dressed in the latest style.
tomar la última (fam.) to have one for the road (fam.) Vamos a tomar la última. ¡Barman! Let’s have one for the road. Bartender!
estar en las últimas (fam.) (a) to be at death’s door, to be breathing one’s last (b) to be on one’s last legs (fam.), to be on one’s beam-ends (fam., Br.E.), to be broke (fam.)
estar en las diez de últimas (fam.) to be on one’s last legs (fam.), to be on one’s beam-ends (fam., Br.E.)
hacer las diez de últimas (fam.) not to reach one’s goal (fig.), to queer one’s own pitch (fam., Br.E.), to damage one’s own cause
último (reír: quien ríe ~, ríe mejor)
último (dar el ~ golpe a algo)
último (dar el ~/[los ~s] toque[s] a algo)
último (en última instancia)
último (hasta la última gota)
último (jugar la última carta)
una one
Una no es ninguna. (pro
v.) Once doesn’t count. (prov.)
Una y no más, Santo Tomás. (fam., Esp.) Never again.
untar el carro/la mano/la palma a alg.
el unto (animal) fat
el unto de Méjico o de rana (fig., fam.) backhander (fam.), bribe [money]
la uña nail (fingernail/toenail)
vivir de la uña (pop.) to live from/by stealing, to make one’s living from/by stealing
ser uña y carne (fig.) to be inseparable, to be as thick as thieves (fam.), to be hand in glove
tener algo en la uña (fam.) to have a good grip on s.th. (fig.), to have complete command of s.th. (fig.), to have got the hang of s.th. (fam.), to know s.th. very well
empezar a afilarse las uñas (fig.) to start work, to set to work, to roll up one’s sleeves (fig.)
dejarse las uñas en algo (fig., fam.) to work one’s fingers to the bone at s.th. (fig.), to work very hard at s.th., to break one’s back doing s.th. (fig.)
caer en las uñas de alg. (fig.) to fall into s.o.’s clutches (fig.)
enseñar/mostrar las uñas (fig.) to show one’s claws/teeth (fig.)
estar de uñas con alg. (fam.) to be at daggers drawn with s.o. (fig., Br.E.)
uña (ser largo de ~s)
el/la uñetas (fam.) thief, light-fingered person (fam.)
el urdemalas (fam.) schemer
la urraca magpie
ser una urraca (fig., fam.) to hoard [up] anything, to be a hoarder, to be a squirrel (fig., fam.), to be a pack rat (fig., fam., Am.E.), to be a magpie (fig., fam., Br.E.)
hablar más que una urraca (fig., fam.) to be a real chatterbox (fam.)
ser más ladrón que una urraca (fig., fam.) to steal anything one can get one’s hands on, to steal anything that isn’t nailed down (fig.) Es más ladrona que una urraca. She’ll steal anything she can get her hands on.
la uva grape
estar hecho una uva (fig., fam.) to be [completely] sloshed (fam.) estar hecho un cesto
estar de buena/mala uva (fig., fam.) to be in a good or in a bad/foul mood
tener mala uva (fig., fam.) to be nasty (fig.) tener mala leche
entrar a por uvas (fig.) to take the plunge (fig.) Estoy a punto de entrar a por uvas. I’m on the point of taking the plunge. I’m about to take the plunge.
de uvas a peras (fam.) very rarely, once in a blue moon (fam.) Nos hacen una visita de uvas a peras. They pay us a visit once in a blue moon.