This Spanish expression is used to indicate that sometimes we have to face situations we don't like, not just once, but multiple times. It is similar to the English saying 'When it rains, it pours'. Examples Spanish: Perdí mi trabajo y, por si fuera poco, también me robaron el coche. Al que no le gusta […]
Al que madruga, Dios lo ayuda
This is not a slang, but a popular Spanish proverb that translates to 'God helps those who rise early.' It is used to convey the idea that those who make the effort to wake up early or those who start working on something early have an advantage and are more likely to succeed. Examples Spanish: […]
Al que le caiga el sello que se lo ponga
This phrase is typically used to express that if a comment or criticism applies to someone, they should accept it. It's similar to the English idiom 'If the shoe fits, wear it.' Examples Spanish: No estoy hablando de nadie en específico, al que le caiga el sello que se lo ponga. English: I'm not talking […]
Al que Dios se lo da que San Pedro se lo bendiga
This phrase is used to indicate that if someone has been blessed with a talent or good fortune, they should be happy and enjoy it. It's similar to the English expression 'If you've got it, flaunt it.' Examples Spanish: Maria tiene una voz increíble, siempre le digo: 'Al que Dios se lo da, San Pedro […]
Al que a buen árbol se arrima, buena sombra lo cobija
This proverbial phrase is used to express that if you are close to good, influential people or if you are in a good place, you will benefit from it. Examples Spanish: Marta siempre va con los estudiantes más inteligentes de la clase; ya sabes, al que a buen árbol se arrima, buena sombra lo cobija. […]
Al perro flaco, todas las pulgas le caen
This saying is used to refer to the idea that when someone is having a hard time, all the problems seem to pile on. It can be translated literally as 'to the skinny dog, all fleas fall'. Examples Spanish: Desde que perdió su trabajo, Juan no ha parado de tener problemas. Ya sabes, al perro […]
Al pan, pan y al vino, vino
This phrase is used to express the idea of calling things by their right name, without embellishing or hiding the truth. It's similar to the English idiom 'Call a spade a spade'. Examples Spanish: No busques excusas para justificar su comportamiento. Al pan, pan y al vino, vino. English: Don't look for excuses to justify […]
Al mejor cazador se le va la liebre
Even the best can make mistakes. This phrase literally translates to 'Even the best hunter can let the hare go'. It's used to express that everyone, no matter how skilled, can make mistakes. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes si cometiste un error en tu trabajo. Recuerda que al mejor cazador se le va la liebre. […]
Al mal paso, darle prisa
This phrase is used to express the idea that it's better to quickly get over a bad situation or difficult task. It's equivalent to the English saying 'If you're going through hell, keep going'. Examples Spanish: No me gusta nada hacer la limpieza, pero al mal paso, darle prisa. English: I don't like cleaning at […]
Ahorcarse con su propia soga
A Spanish idiom that literally translates as 'to hang oneself with one's own rope.' It is generally used to indicate that someone has caused their own problems or downfall through their actions. Examples Spanish: Se metió en un negocio sospechoso y perdió todo su dinero. Realmente se ahorcó con su propia soga. English: He got […]
Ahogarse en un vaso de agua
This phrase is used to describe someone who easily gets overwhelmed by simple problems or situations. Its literal translation is 'to drown in a glass of water'. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes tanto por los detalles, no te vayas a ahogar en un vaso de agua. English: Don't worry so much about the details, don't […]
Ahí si hay mucha tela de donde cortar
This Spanish slang term is used to imply that 'there is a lot to talk about' or 'there's a lot to deal with'. It is often used when there is a lot of information or many aspects to consider about a particular topic. Examples Spanish: De la situación política en nuestro país, ahí si hay […]
Agua pasada no mueve molino
Literally translating to 'past water doesn't move the mill', this phrase is used to mean that what happened in the past can't be changed and won't affect the present or future. It's similar to the English saying 'there's no use crying over spilt milk'. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes por lo que pasó. Agua pasada […]
Admisión de delito, relevo de prueba
This phrase is not really a slang term. It's a legal term which translates to 'Admission of guilt, relief of proof'. It refers to the situation where an individual admits their guilt in a legal context, hence relieving the prosecution from proving their case. Examples Spanish: El acusado facilitó el proceso con su admisión de […]
A ver si es verdad que el gas pela
This phrase is used to express skepticism or doubt about something that has been said. It literally translates to 'Let's see if it's true that gas peels.' The phrase is used to challenge someone's claim, asking for proof or evidence. Examples Spanish: Juan dice que ha conseguido un nuevo trabajo con un sueldo elevado. A […]
A su tiempo maduran las uvas
This phrase literally translates to 'grapes ripen in their own time.' It is used to convey the idea that good things take time and that one should be patient. Examples Spanish: No te desesperes por conseguir un trabajo, recuerda que a su tiempo maduran las uvas. English: Don't get desperate about finding a job, remember […]
A río revuelto, ganancia de pescadores
This phrase is used to indicate that in times of chaos or confusion, there are those who benefit from the disorder. The literal translation is 'At a turbulent river, gain for fishermen'. It is similar to the English saying 'one man's loss is another man's gain'. Examples Spanish: Con la crisis económica actual, hay muchas […]
A rey muerto rey puesto
This phrase literally translates to 'to a dead king, a king is put.' It is used to express the idea that when one thing or person is no longer there or no longer holds a position, it will be quickly replaced by another. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes por perder tu trabajo, ya sabes, a […]
¿A quién le amarga un dulce?
It's a rhetorical question used to say that it's rare for someone to reject something good when it's offered. The literal translation is 'Who would be upset by a sweet?' Examples Spanish: Me ofrecieron un ascenso en el trabajo, y ¿a quién le amarga un dulce? English: I was offered a promotion at work, and […]
A quien Dios no le da hijos el diablo le da sobrinos
This phrase is used to describe a situation where a person who does not have their own problems, the devil gives them other people's problems to worry about. It's often used when someone takes on the issues or problems of others unnecessarily. Examples Spanish: 'A quien Dios no le da hijos el diablo le da […]
A palabras necias oídos sordos
This phrase is used to indicate that one should ignore or not pay attention to absurd, senseless, or foolish comments. It's similar to the English saying 'To foolish words, deaf ears'. Examples Spanish: No hagas caso a los insultos de ese chico, siempre recuerda: 'A palabras necias, oídos sordos'. English: Don't pay attention to that […]
A otro perro con ese hueso
It's a colloquial phrase used to express disbelief or skepticism about something someone said. It translates to 'tell that to another dog with that bone', meaning 'you can't fool me'. Examples Spanish: ¿Que no tienes dinero? ¡A otro perro con ese hueso! English: You don't have money? Tell that to another dog with that bone!
A mi plin y a la madama dulce de coco
This phrase is not exactly slang but a colloquial expression, mostly used in Spain. 'A mi plin' means 'I don't care' or 'It doesn't bother me'. 'Y a la madama dulce de coco' is not a common phrase and its meaning might vary depending on the context, but it could be interpreted as a playful […]
A mala hora no ladra el perro
This phrase is used to express that warnings or signs often come at inconvenient times. It literally translates to 'the dog doesn't bark at a bad time', implying that if the dog barks, there must be a reason. Examples Spanish: Tengo una reunión importante y mi coche decidió averiarse hoy. Bueno, a mala hora no […]
A mal tiempo, buena cara
This phrase literally translates to 'in bad weather, a good face'. It is used as an idiom to mean that one should remain positive even in difficult circumstances, similar to the English expression 'keep a stiff upper lip'. Examples Spanish: Aunque perdió su trabajo, él sigue adelante. Siempre dice: 'A mal tiempo, buena cara'. English: […]
A lo hecho pecho
A phrase used to express that one must face the consequences of their actions, similar to 'you've made your bed, now lie in it'. It literally translates to 'to what is done, chest', implying that one should face what has been done bravely. Examples Spanish: Robó en la tienda y fue capturado por la policía. […]
A las millas de Chaflán
A Spanish slang phrase mostly used in Spain which means 'very far away' or 'in the middle of nowhere'. It implies a place that is hard to find or reach due to its remote location. Examples Spanish: No voy a ir a tu casa, vives a las millas de Chaflán. English: I'm not going to […]
A la tierra que fueres haz lo que vieres
This phrase literally translates as 'To the land where you go, do what you see'. It's a piece of advice that means when you are in a foreign place, you should adopt the customs or behaviors of the people around you. Examples Spanish: Si te mudas a México, recuerda: 'A la tierra que fueres, haz […]
A la larga todo se sabe
This phrase literally translates to 'in the long run everything is known'. It is used to express the idea that secrets or hidden truths will eventually be revealed over time. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes, si él mintió, a la larga todo se sabe. English: Don't worry, if he lied, in the long run everything […]
A la corta o a la larga con el tiempo todo se alcanza
This phrase literally translates to 'sooner or later, in time, everything can be achieved'. It's used to express the idea that with time and patience, all goals can be reached. Examples Spanish: 'No te desesperes, a la corta o a la larga con el tiempo todo se alcanza', me dijo mi mamá cuando estaba preocupado […]