This is a Spanish phrase meaning one must give time, time. It's used to express the idea that things will happen or improve in their own time and that patience is needed. Examples Spanish: Sabes que todavía amo a Juan, pero entiendo que hay que darle tiempo al tiempo para superarlo. English: You know I […]

This phrase is not actually slang, but a standard Spanish phrase. It literally translates to 'you have to give the benefit of the doubt'. It is used when you are unsure about something or someone, but choose to remain positive or hold judgment until more information is known. Examples Spanish: No sé si Juan robó […]

This term is not exactly slang, but a common saying in Spanish. It translates to 'One must give to receive', indicating that in order to receive something, whether it be kindness, respect, or material things, one must also be willing to give the same. Examples Spanish: No puedes esperar que tus amigos te ayuden si […]

This phrase literally translates to 'you have to give from the wing to eat from the breast'. It's commonly used to imply that you sometimes have to make sacrifices to achieve something better or to enjoy the benefits later. Examples Spanish: No me gusta trabajar los fines de semana, pero hay que dar del ala […]

This phrase literally translates to 'it needs to be consulted with the pillow'. It is a Spanish slang expression used when someone needs to sleep on something before making a decision or when they need more time to think about something. Examples Spanish: No puedo tomar una decisión tan importante al instante. Hay que consultarlo […]

This phrase literally translates to 'you have to plow with the oxen you have.' It is used to imply that you must make do with what you have or the resources at your disposal, even if they are not ideal. Examples Spanish: No tenemos suficiente dinero para contratar a más empleados, así que hay que […]

This phrase is not exactly a slang. It is a common saying in Spanish that means there's a lot to gain and little to lose. It is often used to encourage someone to take a risk or a chance, indicating that the potential rewards outweigh the potential losses. Examples Spanish: Deberías intentar ese nuevo negocio, […]

A Spanish phrase used to indicate that someone's preferences or tastes are so questionable or odd that they could be punished for them. Examples Spanish: ¿Te gusta la música de ese cantante? Hay gustos que merecen palos. English: You like that singer's music? There are tastes that deserve punishment.

This Spanish slang phrase is used to convey that there is a wide variety of people, things, or situations in the world. It literally translates to 'There is everything in the vineyard of the Lord', which means that all kinds of people exist in the world. Examples Spanish: No puedo creer que a alguien le […]

This phrase is used when someone is exaggerating a situation or making a big deal out of a minor issue. It literally translates to 'making a mountain out of a grain of sand'. Examples Spanish: No entiendo por qué se preocupa tanto por eso, siempre hacen de un grano de arena una montaña. English: I […]

This phrase is used when someone says something that happens right after or very soon. It's similar to the English expression 'Speak of the devil' but it's not used with a negative connotation. Instead, it's used to express surprise when something that was just mentioned happens or becomes true. Examples Spanish: Hablaste de las vacaciones […]

To speak without holding anything back, to speak frankly and directly. Examples Spanish: Siempre me gusta hablar sin pelos en la lengua para evitar malentendidos. English: I always like to speak without mincing my words to avoid misunderstandings.

This phrase is used to describe the situation when someone talks about a subject that is uncomfortable or sensitive for another person present, similar to the English phrase 'to speak of the devil'. Examples Spanish: No deberíamos mencionar el divorcio en la cena, sería como hablar de soga en casa del ahorcado. English: We shouldn't […]

This phrase is equivalent to the English saying 'Speak of the devil'. It is used when someone you were just talking about appears unexpectedly. Examples Spanish: Estábamos hablando de Juan y, hablando del rey de Roma, aquí está. English: We were just talking about Juan and, speak of the devil, here he is.

This phrase is used to describe someone who has been around a lot or has had many experiences. It is a Puerto Rican saying that literally translates to 'has run more than an AMA bus', with AMA being the Metropolitan Bus Authority in Puerto Rico. Examples Spanish: Ese hombre ha corrido más que una guagua […]

This phrase is used metaphorically to describe a situation where someone has been working hard, nonstop or under high pressure. The phrase translates to 'has run even without oil', drawing a comparison to a machine running without lubrication. Examples Spanish: ¡Pobre Juan! Ha corrido hasta sin aceite para terminar el proyecto a tiempo. English: Poor […]

This phrase literally translates to 'genius and figure until the grave'. It is used to describe a person's character or behavior that remains unchanged throughout their life. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre ha sido muy terco. Genio y figura hasta la sepultura. English: Juan has always been very stubborn. Personality and appearance remain until the grave.

Used to describe someone who cannot be relied upon or trusted. It literally translates to 'someone is like a broken bridge'. Examples Spanish: No cuentes con Juan para ese proyecto, fulano es como un puente roto. English: Don't count on Juan for that project, he's like a broken bridge.

To blow something out of proportion or to make a big deal out of a minor issue Examples Spanish: No entiendo por qué estás tan enojado, estás formando una tormenta en un vaso de agua. English: I don't understand why you are so angry, you are making a storm in a glass of water.

This phrase is used to express that a situation is getting out of hand or becoming too extreme. Examples Spanish: Con todos estos problemas, esto ya se está pasando de castaño a oscuro. English: With all these problems, this is really getting out of hand.

This Spanish phrase is used to express that something is very unlikely to happen or is almost impossible. It translates to 'when frogs grow hair'. Examples Spanish: Yo voy a ganar la lotería, esto será cuando la rana eche pelo. English: I'm going to win the lottery, that will happen when frogs grow hair.

A colloquial phrase used to refer to someone who is working very hard, often without receiving fair compensation or recognition. The literal translation is 'working for the English'. Examples Spanish: Juan está siempre ocupado, parece que está trabajando para el inglés. English: Juan is always busy, it seems like he's working for the English.

This phrase is used to describe someone who is daydreaming or has unrealistic expectations. It directly translates to 'dreaming of pregnant birds', which conveys the idea of something unlikely or impossible. Examples Spanish: Si crees que vas a ganar la lotería sin siquiera comprar un boleto, estás soñando con pajaritos preñados. English: If you think […]

A phrase used to describe a situation where someone is experiencing the same treatment or situation they once caused to others. Similar to the English idiom 'taste of your own medicine'. Examples Spanish: Después de burlarse de Juan por perder su trabajo, Pedro está probando su propia medicina ahora que ha sido despedido. English: After […]

This phrase is used to describe someone who is out of place or in a difficult or uncomfortable situation. The literal translation is 'to be like a cockroach in a hen's dance', which paints a picture of a cockroach being in a dangerous or unwelcome environment. Examples Spanish: Juan se fue a la reunión sin […]

To be completely lost, confused, or disoriented. Literally translates to 'being more lost than a cross-eyed crab'. Examples Spanish: Con tantas calles en esta ciudad, estoy más perdido que un juey bizco. English: With so many streets in this city, I'm more lost than a cross-eyed crab.

This phrase is used to describe someone who is broke or doesn't have money. It literally translates to 'being more bald than a monkey's butt'. Examples Spanish: No puedo salir esta noche, estoy más pelado que el culo de un mono. English: I can't go out tonight, I'm broke.

This slang phrase is used in Chile to describe someone who is very distracted or absent-minded. It literally translates to 'to be more pulled than a bus bell', implying that the person's attention is being pulled in many different directions, like a bus bell that gets rung frequently. Examples Spanish: Mi hermano está más jalado […]

This phrase is used to describe someone who is overdressed or excessively adorned. It's an exaggerated way to say someone is wearing too much makeup or very flashy clothes. Comes from a Puerto Rican folk tale character, Juan Bobo, who dressed up his pig in women's clothing. Examples Spanish: María salió a la tienda de […]

This Spanish slang phrase is usually used to describe a situation or event that is highly orchestrated or planned in detail, similar to a horse race. It implies that something has been manipulated or arranged for a certain outcome. Examples Spanish: El sorteo de la lotería parecía estar más combinado que un cuadro del hipódromo. […]