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. […]

To be in a difficult situation where you have to choose between two unpleasant options. Examples Spanish: No sé si quedarme en este trabajo mal pagado o arriesgarme a buscar otro: estoy entre la espada y la pared. English: I don't know whether to stay in this low-paying job or risk looking for another one: […]

This phrase is used to describe someone who wants to be involved in everything, even the things they have nothing to do with. It essentially means 'to want to have your cake and eat it too'. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre quiere estar en todas, está en la procesión y quiere tocar las campanas. English: Juan […]

To be in a difficult situation or under a lot of pressure, similar to the English expression 'to be at the end of one's rope'. Examples Spanish: Con todas estas deudas, realmente estoy con la soga al cuello. English: With all these debts, I'm really at the end of my rope.

A colloquial expression used in some Latin American countries to describe a person who is always present but rarely or never contributes anything of value. In English, it can be translated as 'to be like a frog in a latrine'. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre está en las reuniones, pero nunca aporta nada. Está como sapo […]

This is a Venezuelan slang term that is used to describe a person who is annoying or bothersome. Examples Spanish: No invites a Juan a la fiesta, está hecho una ladilla. English: Don't invite Juan to the party, he is such an annoyance.

A phrase used to describe someone or something that is in a very bad or pitiful state. It's equivalent to the English expression 'in a sorry state'. Examples Spanish: Después de la fiesta, la casa está como el matapiojo. English: After the party, the house is in a sorry state.

This phrase is used to describe someone or something that is extremely common or ubiquitous, similar to saying 'as common as white rice' in English. Examples Spanish: Mi vecino está como el arroz blanco, en todas las partes. Siempre lo veo en todas las tiendas del barrio. English: My neighbor is like white rice, everywhere. […]

This phrase is used when someone is interfering in matters that do not concern them or are being nosy. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre está en los asuntos de los demás, está buscando lo que no se le ha perdido. English: Juan is always involved in other people's business, he's looking for what he hasn't lost.

This phrase is used to refer to a completely different matter or issue. It is similar to the English phrase 'that's another story' or 'that's a different kettle of fish'. Examples Spanish: Sí, he terminado el informe, pero en cuanto a la presentación, eso son otros veinte pesos. English: Yes, I've finished the report, but […]

This phrase is used to express that a certain topic or situation is different, unrelated or too complex to be compared with another one. Its literal translation is 'That's flour from another sack'. Examples Spanish: Podríamos hablar de política todo el día, pero la economía, eso es harina de otro costal. English: We could talk […]

This phrase is used to express the impossibility or absurdity of a situation, similar to the English phrase 'getting blood from a stone.' It suggests requesting or expecting something from a person or situation that is unlikely or impossible to provide it. Examples Spanish: Pedirle a Juan que llegue temprano es como pedirle peras al […]

This phrase translates to 'it's like raining over wet ground.' It is used to describe a situation where someone adds unnecessary comments or actions to something that is already clear or resolved. Examples Spanish: Le dije a Juan que ya sabía todo sobre el problema. Él empezó a explicarlo de nuevo, eso es como llover […]

This phrase is used to express that you don't like someone or something, or that you do not feel comfortable with a particular person or situation. It literally translates to 'He/She/It is not a saint of my devotion'. Examples Spanish: 'No me inviten a la fiesta de Pedro. Ese no es santo de mi devoción'. […]

This is a spanish idiom literally translating to 'A new broom sweeps well'. It is often used to describe someone who is new to a job or position and is performing very well, or to express that new things often work better or are more efficient. Examples Spanish: Jorge es el nuevo gerente y está […]

This phrase is not a slang, but a literal statement that translates to 'It's a risk being alive'. It's typically used to express the inherent risks and uncertainties of life. Examples Spanish: Con todas las cosas malas que están pasando en el mundo, es un peligro estar vivo. English: With all the bad things happening […]

This phrase is not exactly a slang term, but a common saying or proverb in Spanish. It translates to 'It's better to prevent than to have to remedy (regret)'. It means that it's always better to prevent a problem from happening than to have to fix it or deal with the consequences later. Examples Spanish: […]

This phrase literally translates to 'a known evil is better than an unknown good.' It is used to express the idea that it's better to stick with a situation or person you are familiar with (even if it's bad), than to risk going for an unknown (even if it could turn out good). Examples Spanish: […]

This phrase is not really slang, but a widely used saying in Spanish. It translates directly as 'It's better to give than to receive.' It is used to express the idea that giving or helping others is more rewarding than receiving help or gifts. Examples Spanish: Como dice el dicho, 'es mejor dar que recibir', […]

This is a humorous Spanish phrase used to describe someone who is extremely lazy. It literally translates to 'he's lazier than the upper jaw', suggesting that even the upper jaw, which doesn't move during talking or eating, is more active than the person in question. Examples Spanish: Mi hermano no ayuda en casa, es más […]

This phrase literally translates as 'more stubborn than a mule'. It is used to describe someone who is extremely stubborn or obstinate. Examples Spanish: Mi abuelo no quiere usar su teléfono nuevo. ¡Es más terco que una mula! English: My grandfather doesn't want to use his new phone. He is more stubborn than a mule!

This phrase is used informally to describe someone or something as being very ugly or unpleasant. It literally translates to 'he/she/it is uglier than a drug case', which is an exaggerated way of saying someone or something is extremely unattractive or distasteful. Examples Spanish: No me gusta ese edificio, es más feo que un caso […]