This phrase literally translates to 'the sheet stuck to him/her', and it is commonly used to say someone overslept or stayed in bed longer than intended. Examples Spanish: No llegó a tiempo a la reunión porque se le pegó la sábana. English: He didn't arrive on time for the meeting because he overslept.
se le subieron los humos a la cabeza
This Spanish slang is used when someone is acting arrogant or overly proud because of some success or achievement. It is akin to the English phrase 'getting too big for one's boots'. Examples Spanish: Desde que ganó la lotería, se le subieron los humos a la cabeza y ya no habla con sus viejos amigos. […]
se le trancó el bolo
A colloquial phrase used primarily in Venezuela and Colombia, 'se le trancó el bolo' literally translates to 'the bolo got stuck'. It is used to describe when someone forgets something, can't remember something, or spaces out. Examples Spanish: Juan iba a decir algo importante, pero se le trancó el bolo y olvidó lo que iba […]
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 le van a poner los ojos como vaca que va pa’ risco
This phrase is used to describe someone who is about to be surprised or shocked. It literally translates to 'their eyes will be like a cow's going up a slope', suggesting wide open eyes due to surprise or fear. Examples Spanish: Cuando vea el regalo, se le van a poner los ojos como vaca que […]
se le viró la tortilla
The phrase 'se le viró la tortilla' is a Spanish slang term that means 'the tables have turned' or 'the situation has reversed unexpectedly'. It's often used to refer to a situation where someone who was in a position of advantage is now at a disadvantage. Examples Spanish: Al principio, el equipo rival estaba ganando, […]
se lo muerde
A phrase often used in a teasing or mocking manner, implying that someone is jealous or envious. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre compra nuevos juguetes para su coche, se lo muerde a todos. English: Juan always buys new toys for his car, everyone is jealous of him.
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 […]
se puso como sapo de letrina
This is a colloquial expression used in some Latin American countries. It translates literally as 'he/she has become like a toad in a latrine.' It is used to describe someone who has become very angry or upset. Examples Spanish: Cuando se enteró de que había perdido su empleo, se puso como sapo de letrina. English: […]
se vistió como la puerca de Juan Bobo
This phrase is used when someone is poorly or ridiculously dressed. It originates from a Puerto Rican folk tale where Juan Bobo dresses a pig in his mother's clothes. Examples Spanish: ¿Viste a Carlos hoy? Parece que se vistió como la puerca de Juan Bobo. English: Did you see Carlos today? It looks like he […]
se volvió un ocho
This phrase is used when something becomes complicated or messy. It is equivalent to the English phrase 'to become a mess' or 'to get tangled up'. Examples Spanish: La situación se volvió un ocho cuando llegó la policía. English: The situation became a mess when the police arrived.
se volvió una crayola
A slang term primarily used in Latin America which loosely translates to 'became a crayon.' It is often used to describe someone who has changed drastically or became more colorful, eccentric, or diverse in their personality or style. Examples Spanish: Desde que viajó por el mundo, ella se volvió una crayola. English: Since she traveled […]
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.
seguir de rolimpín
A Spanish colloquial phrase that means to continue doing something without a break, to keep going, or to carry on in the same way. Examples Spanish: Pablo ha estado trabajando toda la semana y seguirá de rolimpín hasta el próximo mes. English: Pablo has been working all week and will continue without a break until […]
seguir de rolo
A slang term primarily used in Cuba, 'seguir de rolo' means to continue with something, to persistently follow something or to keep going. Examples Spanish: A pesar de los obstáculos, él decidió seguir de rolo con su proyecto. English: Despite the obstacles, he decided to keep going with his project.
seguro? Seguro está Dios en los cielos
This phrase is used to express doubt or skepticism in response to a statement, much like 'are you sure?' in English. The full phrase 'seguro está Dios en los cielos' literally translates to 'God is sure in heaven', emphasizing the certainty of God's existence as a contrast to the uncertainty of the statement in question. […]
señorito
A colloquial term which originally means 'little sir'. It is often used with a pejorative or ironic tone to refer to a grown man who is immature, spoiled, or acts entitled. Examples Spanish: El señorito no quiere trabajar y prefiere que sus padres le mantengan. English: The 'little sir' doesn't want to work and prefers […]
sentársele encima a algo
A Spanish slang phrase that literally translates as 'to sit on top of something.' It implies focusing on something with great intensity, being obsessed or preoccupied with a particular task, issue, or problem. Examples Spanish: Desde que se enteró de la promoción, se le sentó encima a su trabajo para demostrar su valía. English: Ever […]
ser broco
A phrase used in some Spanish-speaking regions to describe someone who is clumsy, awkward, or uncoordinated. In some contexts, it can also refer to someone who is simple-minded or acts in a silly way. Examples Spanish: Ese chico siempre se cae, es muy broco. English: That boy always falls over, he's very clumsy.
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 cano
A Colombian slang term used to describe a person who is cool, awesome, or very nice. Examples Spanish: Juan es muy cano, siempre nos ayuda cuando lo necesitamos. English: Juan is very cool, he always helps us when we need it.
ser como el cohítre
This slang phrase is often used to describe someone who is everywhere at once or someone who is very active and restless. It's similar to the English phrase 'like a headless chicken'. Examples Spanish: Mi hermano está siempre en movimiento, es como el cohitre. English: My brother is always on the move, he's like a […]
ser el jamón del sandwich
This phrase literally translates to 'be the ham of the sandwich'. It is used to refer to someone who is caught in the middle of a situation, or who is in between two conflicting parties. Examples Spanish: Siempre que mis amigos discuten, termino siendo el jamón del sandwich. English: Whenever my friends argue, I always […]
ser la changa
Used in Mexico, 'ser la changa' is a colloquial phrase meaning to be the butt of the joke, the one who is always teased or taken advantage of. Examples Spanish: Siempre me hacen bromas en la oficina, ya me cansé de ser la changa. English: They always play jokes on me at the office, I'm […]
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 ñoco
A colloquial term used primarily in Spain, 'ser ñoco' is used to describe someone who is clumsy, awkward or inept in a certain situation. Examples Spanish: Juan es muy ñoco, siempre se tropieza con sus propios pies. English: Juan is very clumsy, he always trips over his own feet.
ser patriota
The phrase 'ser patriota' is not typically considered slang. In a standard context, it means 'to be a patriot'. However, in some regions, it can be used sarcastically or critically. Its meaning can vary based on context. Examples Spanish: Mi abuelo siempre dice que debemos ser patriotas y amar a nuestro país. English: My grandfather […]
ser picoreto
A colloquial phrase used in Spain, mainly in the south. 'Ser picoreto' refers to someone who is very clever or cunning, usually someone who is able to get away with things or someone who is very street-smart. Examples Spanish: Juan es muy picoreto, siempre se sale con la suya. English: Juan is very cunning, he […]
ser plástico
Being fake or insincere. It refers to a person who is not genuine in their actions or words, similar to the English term 'plastic'. Examples Spanish: No me gusta hablar con Juan, siempre me parece que es muy plástico. English: I don't like talking to Juan, he always seems very fake to me.
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.