Literally translates to 'under the table'. It is used to describe something done secretly, unofficially or illegally, often in the context of bribes or under-the-table deals. Examples Spanish: El político aceptó dinero por debajo de la mesa para favorecer a la empresa. English: The politician took money under the table to favor the company.
por un tubo y siete llaves
An expression used to emphasize the abundance or excess of something, or to express that something is done intensively or in large quantities. It could be translated as 'a lot' or 'loads'. Examples Spanish: Estuvimos bailando por un tubo y siete llaves toda la noche. English: We were dancing a lot all night.
puesto de gasolina
This is not a slang term, it is a standard Spanish phrase that literally translates to 'gas station'. It refers to a place where fuel, gas, and other services for motor vehicles are sold. Examples Spanish: Necesito encontrar un puesto de gasolina para llenar el tanque de mi coche. English: I need to find a […]
que es lo que esta pa
A shortened version of '¿Qué es lo que está pasando?' It is an informal way to ask 'What's going on?' or 'What's happening?' Examples Spanish: Hey, ¿qué es lo que 'ta pa'? Hace rato que no te veo. English: Hey, what's going on? I haven't seen you for a while.
qué guiso!
An informal term used in Latin America, often to express surprise or amazement. It can also be used to address a situation or a problem. Examples Spanish: ¡Qué guiso! No puedo creer lo que pasó en la fiesta anoche. English: What a mess! I can't believe what happened at the party last night.
que mosquero!
A colloquial expression used in Spain to denote a situation that is chaotic, messy, or with lots of people, similar to the English expression 'a beehive of activity'. Examples Spanish: ¡Vaya, en el concierto había un que mosquero! English: Wow, the concert was such a beehive of activity!
que pisa y no arranca
A phrase used to describe someone who is indecisive or hesitant, or who often makes plans but never follows through. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre dice que va a dejar su trabajo y viajar por el mundo, pero es un que pisa y no arranca. English: Juan always says he's going to quit his job and […]
quedar seteado
A Chilean slang term that means to be shocked, surprised or stunned, often used when something unexpected happens or when you can't believe what just occurred. Examples Spanish: Cuando me contó que ganó la lotería, quedé seteado. English: When he told me he won the lottery, I was stunned.
quedarse jamona
A colloquial expression used in Spain, referring to a woman who has never married and is over the age of 25. It is often used in a pejorative sense. Examples Spanish: María tiene 30 años y no tiene novio, se va a quedar jamona. English: Maria is 30 years old and doesn't have a boyfriend, […]
quién te hace rico? El que te mantiene el pico
A sarcastic phrase used to criticize someone who talks a lot but does not contribute much. This expression literally translates to 'Who makes you rich? The one who keeps your beak'. In this context, 'beak' metaphorically refers to someone's mouth. Examples Spanish: Ya basta, Juan. ¿Quién te hace rico? El que te mantiene el pico. […]
repartir con la cuchara grande
This phrase literally translates to 'to serve with a big spoon' and is used when someone is being very generous or shares abundantly. Examples Spanish: Mi abuela siempre reparte con la cuchara grande cuando tenemos reuniones familiares. English: My grandmother always serves with a big spoon when we have family gatherings.
ron caña
A colloquial term for cheap, strong rum, often homemade or of low quality. Examples Spanish: Después de tomar ron caña toda la noche, tenía un dolor de cabeza terrible. English: After drinking 'ron caña' all night, I had a terrible headache.
sacar el chinchorro
An idiomatic expression in Spanish, 'sacar el chinchorro' literally translates to 'taking out the hammock'. It is commonly used in Venezuela and Colombia to represent the action of resting or relaxing, especially after a long day of work. Examples Spanish: Después de un largo día de trabajo, Juan dijo que iba a 'sacar el chinchorro' […]
sacarle de quicio
A Spanish slang phrase used to express the act of profoundly annoying or exasperating someone to the point of losing patience. Examples Spanish: El constante ruido de la construcción me está sacando de quicio. English: The constant noise from the construction is driving me crazy.
sacarse de la manga
The phrase 'sacarse de la manga' is a Spanish slang term, equivalent to the English phrase 'pull something out of one's sleeve', meaning to present or come up with an unexpected solution, idea, or skill. Examples Spanish: No sabía cómo resolver el problema, pero se sacó de la manga una solución increíble. English: He didn't […]
salir cagado a alguien
A colloquial phrase used primarily in Argentina, which means to look like someone or resemble someone, especially in terms of physical appearance or mannerisms. Examples Spanish: Ese chico siempre sale cagado a su padre, tienen los mismos ojos. English: That boy always looks like his father, they have the same eyes.
se acabó el evento
It's a colloquial expression that literally translates to 'the event is over'. It's often used to indicate that something has ended or is no longer available, or a situation or opportunity is over. Examples Spanish: No quedan más entradas para el concierto, se acabó el evento. English: There are no more tickets for the concert, […]
se cree que tiene el gato por el rabo
This phrase is used to describe someone who is overly confident or someone who thinks they're better than everyone else. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre gana en el poker, se cree que tiene el gato por el rabo. English: Juan always wins at poker, he thinks he's the cat's whiskers.
se fue ajuste
The phrase 'se fue ajuste' is Spanish slang that is commonly used in Latin America and it translates to 'it was a close call' or 'it just made it'. It is often used to express a situation where someone or something barely succeeded or just managed to work out. Examples Spanish: El autobús casi se […]
se le para la lengua
A Spanish slang phrase used to describe someone who is speechless or unable to articulate a response, often due to surprise or shock. Examples Spanish: Cuando le dije que gané la lotería, se le paró la lengua y no pudo decir nada. English: When I told him that I won the lottery, he was speechless […]
se le va a caer el kiosko
A Spanish slang phrase that is used to indicate that someone is going to get in trouble or face negative consequences for their actions. Examples Spanish: Si sigue llegando tarde al trabajo, se le va a caer el kiosko. English: If he keeps arriving late for work, he is going to get in trouble.
se metió en el lío de los pastores
This phrase translates literally to 'got into the shepherd's mess.' It is a slang term used to express that someone has gotten involved in a complex situation or a problem that is not easy to solve. Examples Spanish: Juan se metió en el lío de los pastores cuando decidió invertir en esa empresa sin investigarla […]
sea la madre
An expression used to express anger, frustration, or surprise. It is somewhat equivalent to 'damn it' or 'oh my god' in English. Note that it can be considered offensive and vulgar in some contexts. Examples Spanish: ¡Sea la madre! Se me olvidaron las llaves en casa. English: Damn it! I forgot the keys at home.
ser canalla
To be mischievous or naughty. It can also refer to being a rascal or scoundrel. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre está haciendo travesuras, es muy canalla. English: Juan is always getting into mischief, he is such a rascal.
ser muchos los hijos del muerto
A Spanish saying that means 'there are a lot of people interested in or affected by the same problem or situation'. It is often used when a problem or situation is complicated by the number of people involved. Examples Spanish: Con la herencia de la abuela, son muchos los hijos del muerto. English: With grandma's […]
ser por alguien
To have strong feelings or care deeply for someone. It can also mean to defend or stand up for someone. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes, yo siempre voy a ser por ti. English: Don't worry, I will always stand up for you.
ser un mantequilla
In Spanish slang, 'ser un mantequilla' is used to describe someone who is soft, easily folds under pressure, or lacks courage. It is equivalent to the English slang 'being a pushover'. Examples Spanish: No te dejes manipular por ellos, no seas un mantequilla. English: Don't let them manipulate you, don't be a pushover.
ser un pila de mierda
A vulgar phrase used to describe someone as a worthless or terrible person. It literally translates to 'be a pile of shit'. Examples Spanish: No me hables de él, es un pila de mierda. English: Don't talk to me about him, he's a piece of shit.
ser una guerrillera
Being a very brave, strong and determined person. Typically used to describe women who face challenges with courage and determination. Examples Spanish: María siempre lucha por lo que quiere, es una guerrillera. English: Maria always fights for what she wants, she is a guerrillera.
si madura como pinta
A phrase used to express the potential of something or someone, predicting that if things continue as they are, they will turn out very well. It's like saying 'If it matures as it looks'. Examples Spanish: Este chico tiene talento para el fútbol, si madura como pinta, será un gran jugador. English: This boy has […]