A term used to describe being tightly packed or squeezed in a small space or crowd. Examples Spanish: Estábamos tan apretujados en el autobús que apenas podíamos movernos. English: We were so squeezed on the bus that we could barely move.
aprontado
A term used mostly in Argentina and Uruguay to describe someone who is always ready or prepared, often in a cunning or sly way. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre tiene una excusa para todo, es muy aprontado. English: Juan always has an excuse for everything, he is very sly.
apunta pero no dispares
A phrase used to describe someone who always threatens or promises to do something, but never actually does it. Examples Spanish: Siempre dice que va a dejar su trabajo, pero sabemos que él 'apunta pero no dispara'. English: He is always saying that he is going to quit his job, but we know that he […]
apuntarse el baño
A Spanish slang term that literally translates to 'signing up for the bath', which is used to imply that someone wants to join in on something, be included or participate in an event or activity. Examples Spanish: ¿Vamos a la playa esta tarde? ¡Me apunto al baño! English: Are we going to the beach this […]
aquí están que cortan
A Spanish slang phrase used to express a tense or uncomfortable situation. The literal translation is 'here they cut', but it's used to indicate 'the tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife'. Examples Spanish: Después de la pelea en la reunión familiar, aquí están que cortan. English: After the fight at […]
aquí hay gato encerrado
This idiom is used to express suspicion, implying that something strange or suspicious is going on. Examples Spanish: Este negocio parece demasiado rentable, aquí hay gato encerrado. English: This business seems too profitable, there's something fishy going on here.
aquí tú ya no mojas
A phrase used to indicate that someone no longer has influence, power, or is no longer successful in a particular situation or place. Examples Spanish: Este es mi barrio, aquí tú ya no mojas. English: This is my neighborhood, you no longer have any influence here.
arañitas
Literally translated as 'little spiders', 'arañitas' is a Spanish slang term often used in some Latin American countries to refer to small varicose veins or spider veins that appear mainly on the legs. Examples Spanish: He estado caminando mucho últimamente y me han salido unas arañitas en las piernas. English: I've been walking a lot […]
arisco
A term used to describe a person who is unsociable, grumpy, or difficult to deal with. Examples Spanish: Mi vecino es muy arisco, nunca saluda cuando lo veo. English: My neighbor is very grumpy, he never greets me when I see him.
arranca en fá
An Argentinian slang phrase which means 'start in first gear' or 'start slowly', often used to refer to starting anything from the beginning or from the simplest level. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes, vamos a arrancar en fá con este proyecto. English: Don't worry, we are going to start in first gear with this project.
arranca p’ allá
A phrase most commonly used in Caribbean Spanish, especially in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, that means 'get out of here' or 'go away'. It is often used when someone is annoying or bothering you. Examples Spanish: 'Estás molestando mucho, arranca p’ allá'. English: 'You're really bothering me, get out of here'.
arrancarle el brazo
This phrase is a colloquial expression used mainly in Argentina. It literally translates to 'tear off someone's arm', but it is used to indicate that someone has been charged a lot for something, or that something is very expensive. Examples Spanish: Me arrancaron el brazo con lo que me cobraron por las reparaciones del auto. […]
arrancarle la mano
A Spanish slang term that literally translates to 'tear off one's hand'. It's often used to describe the act of winning or taking something from someone, especially in a game or competition. Examples Spanish: Vamos a jugar al póker, pero te advierto que voy a arrancarte la mano. English: Let's play poker, but I warn […]
arrebatado
In Spanish slang, 'arrebatado' refers to a person who behaves impulsively, without thinking about the consequences, or someone who is overly excited or agitated. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre es muy arrebatado, nunca piensa antes de actuar. English: Juan is always very impulsive, he never thinks before he acts.
arreglar cuentas
To settle scores or deal with unresolved issues. Often used in situations where a dispute or conflict needs to be resolved. Examples Spanish: Después de años de desacuerdos, Juan y su hermano decidieron finalmente 'arreglar cuentas'. English: After years of disagreements, Juan and his brother finally decided to 'settle scores'.
arresmillado
The term 'arresmillado' is a Colombian slang which means being overwhelmed, stressed, or extremely busy. Examples Spanish: Estoy arresmillado con tantos trabajos que tengo que hacer. English: I am overwhelmed with so many tasks that I have to do.
arresmillarse
A colloquial slang from Spain, particularly Andalusia, meaning 'to laugh heartily or uncontrollably'. Examples Spanish: Cada vez que cuenta ese chiste, me arresmillo tanto que se me saltan las lágrimas. English: Every time he tells that joke, I laugh so heartily that tears spring to my eyes.
arrimado
In Spanish slang, 'arrimado' typically refers to a person who is living or staying in someone else's house without paying rent. It can also refer to someone who is always hanging around without being invited or contributing anything. Examples Spanish: Juan es un arrimado, siempre está en nuestra casa pero nunca contribuye con nada. English: […]
arrollado
In Spanish slang, 'arrollado' is often used to describe someone who is overwhelmed, confused, or extremely busy. It can also refer to someone who is completely defeated or crushed in a particular situation. Examples Spanish: Estoy completamente arrollado con todo el trabajo que tengo que hacer. English: I'm completely overwhelmed with all the work I […]
asalto!
In Spanish slang, 'asalto' often refers to a surprise visit or a surprise party. It can also mean 'attack' or 'assault' in a more formal context. Examples Spanish: Vamos a hacer un asalto en la casa de Juan para su cumpleaños. English: We are going to make a surprise visit to Juan's house for his […]
asi es la cosa
A phrase meaning 'that's how things are' or 'that's the way it is'. It is commonly used to express the acceptance of a situation as it is, often implying that one cannot or will not change it. Examples Spanish: No podemos cambiar la situación, así es la cosa. English: We can't change the situation, that's […]
asi murió un indio
A Spanish slang phrase used to express that something ended badly or abruptly. Often used to describe situations that end in failure or disaster. Examples Spanish: No estudió para el examen y lo reprobó. ¡Así murió un indio! English: He didn't study for the exam and he failed it. That's how it all went downhill!
asomar
In Spanish slang, 'asomar' generally means 'to show' or 'to appear'. It refers to the action of revealing something or someone, or making them visible, often used when something or someone begins to appear or comes into view. Examples Spanish: El sol empieza a asomar por el horizonte. English: The sun begins to appear on […]
asombrado
A term used to express surprise, astonishment, or amazement. It's not considered slang, but rather standard Spanish. Examples Spanish: Estaba asombrado por la belleza del paisaje. English: He was amazed by the beauty of the landscape.
asopao
In Puerto Rican slang, 'asopao' refers to a type of food similar to a soupy rice or a gumbo. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation or a person that is a mess. Examples Spanish: 1. Hoy vamos a comer asopao de camarones. 2. Después de la fiesta, la casa estaba toda […]
ataque de cuernos
A term used to describe extreme jealousy, specifically when someone believes their partner is being unfaithful. Literally translated as 'horn attack', it is equivalent to 'fit of jealousy' in English. Examples Spanish: Cuando vio a su novia hablando con otro chico, tuvo un ataque de cuernos. English: When he saw his girlfriend talking to another […]
atar cabos sueltos
To put together the missing or unclear parts of a situation or story; to tie up loose ends. Examples Spanish: Antes de que termine el proyecto, necesito atar cabos sueltos. English: Before I finish the project, I need to tie up loose ends.
atarugado
A term used in certain regions of Latin America to describe someone who is stubborn or hard-headed. Examples Spanish: No intentes cambiar su opinión, es muy atarugado. English: Don't try to change his mind, he is very stubborn.
ATH
An acronym for 'A Toda Hora' which translates to 'At All Times'. It is commonly used in Puerto Rico to refer to ATM machines. Examples Spanish: Necesito encontrar un ATH para retirar dinero. English: I need to find an ATM to withdraw money.
atollado
In Spanish slang, 'atollado' is used to describe someone who is overwhelmed, swamped or bogged down, usually by work or a similar situation. Examples Spanish: Estoy muy atollado con el trabajo, no tengo tiempo para nada más. English: I am very swamped with work, I don't have time for anything else.