This phrase is used in Spain and it means to avoid a difficult or unpleasant situation, similar to the English idiom 'dodge a bullet'. Examples Spanish: ¡Menos mal que llegué a tiempo para la reunión, me libré la coca! English: Thank goodness I arrived on time for the meeting, I dodged a bullet!
liga
In Spanish slang, 'liga' is often used to refer to a rubber band. It can also be used to refer to a sports league or a garter. Examples Spanish: Necesito una liga para recoger mi cabello. English: I need a rubber band to tie up my hair.
ligar
A Spanish slang term meaning to flirt or to pick up someone romantically. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre intenta ligar cuando vamos a la discoteca. English: Juan always tries to flirt when we go to the disco.
limazo
A term used in Spain, which means a hard hit or a punch. It can be used both literally, referring to physical violence, or figuratively, indicating a strong emotional blow. Examples Spanish: Juan le dio un limazo a la puerta que la hizo temblar. Mi jefe me dio un limazo al decirme que estaba despedido. […]
limber
In Puerto Rican slang, 'limber' refers to a homemade frozen treat made from fruit juice or milk, similar to an ice pop or a slushie. Examples Spanish: Cuando hace calor, me encanta hacer limber de coco para refrescarme. English: When it's hot, I love making coconut limber to cool off.
limón
In Latin American slang, 'limón' is often used to refer to a person who is bright, intelligent, or clever. However, its primary meaning is 'lemon'. The slang usage can vary depending on the region. Examples Spanish: Eres un verdadero limón, resolviste ese problema matemático muy rápido. English: You're a real limón, you solved that math […]
limpiarle la cacharra
A colloquial phrase that means 'to scam someone' or 'to trick someone out of their money' Examples Spanish: Juan le limpió la cacharra a su amigo vendiéndole un coche que no funcionaba. English: Juan scammed his friend by selling him a car that didn't work.
liquear
In Spanish slang, 'liquear' refers to the act of leaking or revealing confidential or secret information intentionally or unintentionally. Examples Spanish: No debes liquear la información de la empresa a nadie. English: You should not leak the company's information to anyone.
llaga
In Spanish slang, 'llaga' is often used to refer to a person who is annoying or bothersome. Examples Spanish: Deja de ser tan llaga y déjame trabajar en paz. English: Stop being such a pain and let me work in peace.
llamar para atrás
This term literally translates to 'call back'. It is used to refer to the action of returning a phone call. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes, si no contesto, te voy a llamar para atrás. English: Don't worry, if I don't answer, I will call you back.
llegar con la peste
A Spanish slang phrase that literally translates to 'arrive with the plague'. It is used to describe someone who brings bad luck or problems wherever they go. Examples Spanish: Cada vez que Juan viene a la fiesta, siempre ocurre algo malo. Realmente él siempre llega con la peste. English: Every time Juan comes to the […]
llevar la voz cantante
To be the one who makes the decisions or controls a situation, similar to 'to call the shots' in English Examples Spanish: En todas las reuniones de la empresa, es el jefe quien lleva la voz cantante. English: In all the company meetings, it's the boss who calls the shots.
llevarse hasta los clavos de la cruz
This phrase is used to describe someone who takes everything when leaving a place or ending a relationship. It's similar to the English expression 'take everything but the kitchen sink'. Examples Spanish: Cuando Juan rompió con su novia, se llevó hasta los clavos de la cruz. English: When Juan broke up with his girlfriend, he […]
llorar a moco tendido
This Spanish idiom is used to describe someone crying uncontrollably or intensely. Examples Spanish: Después de la pelea, ella estaba llorando a moco tendido. English: After the fight, she was crying her eyes out.
lloriqueo
Lloriqueo is a Spanish slang term, often used to describe someone who is whining or complaining excessively, similar to the continuous crying of a baby. Examples Spanish: Deja de lloriqueo, la vida no es tan mal como piensas. English: Stop whining, life is not as bad as you think.
llover sobre mojado
This phrase literally translates to 'rain over wet', and is used to describe a situation where the same unfortunate event occurs repeatedly, or when someone insists on a subject that is already known or obvious. Examples Spanish: Tener que repetir lo mismo una y otra vez se siente como llover sobre mojado. English: Having to […]
lo dices y no lo sabes
A phrase used when someone unintentionally says something that is actually true or prophetic, similar to the English phrase 'you said it without knowing'. Examples Spanish: Te vas a enamorar de ella, lo dices y no lo sabes. English: You're going to fall in love with her, you say it without knowing.
lo mismo raspa que pinta
This phrase is used to indicate that someone or something is versatile, or capable of doing many different things. It is similar to the English idiom 'Jack of all trades'. Examples Spanish: Mi tío trabaja como mecánico, cocinero y hasta pintor, lo mismo raspa que pinta. English: My uncle works as a mechanic, a cook, […]
lo pasaron por la piedra
A Spanish slang phrase used to indicate that someone has been through a hard time or had a tough experience. It literally translates to 'they passed him through the stone'. Examples Spanish: Después de trabajar 12 horas al día durante una semana, realmente lo pasaron por la piedra. English: After working 12 hours a day […]
lo puso como chupa de china
A Spanish slang phrase generally used to describe someone who is completely worn out, beaten or exhausted. Literally translates to 'he/she put him/her like a Chinese lollipop', but the intended meaning is 'he/she wore him/her out'. Examples Spanish: Después de la larga caminata, Juan lo puso a Pedro como chupa de china. English: After the […]
lo puso en un tres y dos
A baseball term, originally used to indicate a critical moment where the batter has three balls and two strikes. In a broader context, it's used to describe a situation of pressure or decision making. Examples Spanish: Juan se encuentra en una situación complicada en su trabajo, realmente lo pusieron en un tres y dos. English: […]
lo que le salga de los pantalones
A phrase used to express that someone does whatever they want or feel like doing, without considering the consequences or others' opinions. Literally translates to 'what comes out of their pants'. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre hace lo que le salga de los pantalones, sin importarle lo que los demás piensen. English: Juan always does whatever […]
lo salvó la campana
This phrase literally translates to 'saved by the bell.' It is used when someone avoids a problem or difficult situation at the last minute, just in time. Examples Spanish: Iba a llegar tarde a la reunión, pero lo salvó la campana porque se canceló en el último momento. English: He was going to be late […]
lo tuyo viene
The phrase 'lo tuyo viene' is a Spanish slang that literally translates to 'yours is coming'. It is used to denote that something (often a consequence, reward, or retribution) is on its way for the person being addressed. Examples Spanish: Has trabajado muy duro, no te preocupes, lo tuyo viene. English: You have worked very […]
lo último en la avenida
A phrase used to describe the latest or most fashionable trend. It is equivalent to the English 'latest thing on the street'. Examples Spanish: Los pantalones de campana son lo último en la avenida. English: Bell-bottom pants are the latest thing on the street.
loquera
A term used to describe craziness, madness or a chaotic situation. It can also refer to a wild or crazy action. Examples Spanish: Esta fiesta es una loquera, todo el mundo está bailando y riendo. English: This party is craziness, everyone is dancing and laughing.
los huevos se van a poner a peso
An expression used to denote that something will become devalued or less important, it can be used to refer to a situation or a product. Examples Spanish: Con tantos artistas emergentes, los huevos se van a poner a peso en el mundo de la música. English: With so many emerging artists, everything will become devalued […]
los kioskos
A colloquial term typically used in Spain and some Latin American countries to refer to small stores or booths on the streets that sell various items like newspapers, magazines, snacks, cigarettes, drinks, etc. Examples Spanish: Voy a comprar el periódico en los kioskos de la esquina. English: I'm going to buy the newspaper at the […]
los niños hablan cuando las gallinas mean
A Spanish proverb that translates to 'children speak when hens pee.' It is used to tell someone, usually a child, to not interrupt adults when they are talking. Examples Spanish: Los adultos están hablando ahora, los niños hablan cuando las gallinas mean. English: The adults are talking now, children speak when hens pee.
lucirse chayote
The phrase 'lucirse chayote' is not a commonly recognized or used term in Spanish slang. The term 'lucirse' generally means 'to show off' or 'to stand out'. 'Chayote' is a type of squash common in Latin America, but it doesn't have a slang usage that fits in this context. This phrase might be specific to […]