This proverbial phrase is used to express that when there are rumors or indications about something, there might be some truth behind it. The literal translation in English is 'When the river sounds, it carries water'.
Examples
- Spanish: No quiero creer los rumores sobre Juan, pero ya sabes, cuando el río suena, agua lleva.
- English: I don't want to believe the rumors about Juan, but you know, where there's smoke, there's fire.