Spanish is full of colorful idioms that vary by region. Here are some common idioms from Mexico, Spain, and Argentina, presented with translations and example sentences to help you use them naturally.
Mexican Idioms
Mexican Spanish includes many idioms that reflect local culture and humor. These expressions are often used in everyday conversation.
| Spanish Idiom | English Equivalent | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Echarle ganas | Give it your all | Échale ganas en el trabajo.* (Give it your all at work.) |
| No manches | No way / You're kidding | No manches, ¿de verdad pasó eso?* (No way, did that really happen?) |
| Andar con la finta | Suspect something | Ando con la finta de que van a cancelar la reunión.* (I have a feeling that the meeting will be canceled.) |
| Tirar la toalla | Give up | No tires la toalla, aún puedes terminar el proyecto.* (Don’t give up, you can still finish the project.) |
| Estar padre | Be cool | Tu nuevo carro está padre.* (Your new car is cool.) |
| Meter la pata | Make a mistake | Metí la pata en la presentación.* (I messed up in the presentation.) |
| Ponerle el dedo | Accuse someone | No le pongas el dedo a Juan sin pruebas.* (Don’t accuse Juan without proof.) |
| Ser uña y carne | Be inseparable | Ellos son uña y carne desde la infancia.* (They’ve been inseparable since childhood.) |
| Al chile | Honestly / Straight up | Al chile, no me gustó la película.* (Honestly, I didn’t like the movie.) |
| Estar en el hoyo | Be in trouble | Después del despido, estoy en el hoyo.* (After being fired, I’m in big trouble.) |
Spanish (Spain) Idioms
In Spain, idioms often reflect historical references and regional lifestyles, particularly from cities like Madrid and Barcelona.
| Spanish Idiom | English Equivalent | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Ser pan comido | Be a piece of cake | El examen fue pan comido.* (The exam was a piece of cake.) |
| Estar en las nubes | Daydreaming | Estaba en las nubes durante la clase.* (I was daydreaming during class.) |
| Tirar la casa por la ventana | Spare no expense | Para su boda, tiraron la casa por la ventana.* (They spared no expense for their wedding.) |
| Meterse en camisa de once varas | Take on a difficult task | Se metió en camisa de once varas con ese proyecto.* (He took on a difficult task with that project.) |
| No tener pelos en la lengua | Speak bluntly | Mi abuela no tiene pelos en la lengua.* (My grandmother speaks her mind bluntly.) |
| Poner los puntos sobre las íes | Clarify things | Es hora de poner los puntos sobre las íes.* (It’s time to clarify things.) |
| Pasarse de la raya | Cross the line | Te has pasado de la raya con ese comentario.* (You’ve crossed the line with that comment.) |
| Estar hecho polvo | Be exhausted | Después del viaje, estaba hecho polvo.* (After the trip, I was exhausted.) |
| Dejar plantado/a | Stand someone up | Me dejó plantada en la cita.* (He stood me up on the date.) |
| Buscarle tres pies al gato | Overcomplicate things | No le busques tres pies al gato, es simple.* (Don’t overcomplicate it, it’s simple.) |
Don’t overcomplicate it, it’s simple.
No le busques tres pies al gato, es simple.
"Buscarle tres pies al gato" means to overcomplicate things or look for problems where there are none. The correct sentence advises against doing this.
Argentine Idioms
Argentine Spanish is known for its unique slang and Italian influences. These idioms are commonly heard in Buenos Aires and other parts of Argentina.
| Spanish Idiom | English Equivalent | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Che | Hey (to get attention) | Che, ¿vamos al cine?* (Hey, shall we go to the movies?) |
| Mandar fruta | Talk nonsense | No hagas caso, está mandando fruta.* (Don’t listen, he’s talking nonsense.) |
| Estar hecho bolsa | Be very tired | Después de tanto trabajo, estoy hecho bolsa.* (After so much work, I’m exhausted.) |
| Quedarse en bolas | Be broke / left with nothing | Me quedé en bolas después de salir a bailar.* (I was broke after going out dancing.) |
| Jugar de taquito | Do something easily | Terminé el examen de taquito.* (I finished the exam with ease.) |
| Bajón | Mood drop / feeling down | Tengo un bajón, no sé qué hacer.* (I’m feeling down; I don’t know what to do.) |
| Re copado | Really cool | El concierto estuvo re copado.* (The concert was really cool.) |
| Fiaca | Laziness | Tengo fiaca de salir hoy.* (I’m too lazy to go out today.) |
| Poner los huevos | Have courage / guts | Hay que poner los huevos y hablar con el jefe.* (You have to have the guts to talk to the boss.) |
| Moral de taxi | Low self-esteem | Después del rechazo, tengo moral de taxi.* (After the rejection, my self-esteem is low.) |
Don’t listen, he’s talking nonsense.
No hagas caso, está mandando fruta.
"Mandar fruta" is an Argentine idiom meaning to talk nonsense. The correct sentence warns not to take the speaker seriously.
Using Regional Idioms Appropriately
Idioms add color and authenticity to your speech, but it’s important to use them in the right context and be aware of regional differences.
- Avoid using idioms from one region when speaking to someone from another, unless you’re explaining them.
- Pay attention to tone and setting; some idioms are informal or even vulgar.
- Learning the cultural background can help you understand why an idiom is used.
Flashcards (1 of 30)
- Example Sentence: Échale ganas en el trabajo. (Give it your all at work.)
- English Equivalent: Give it your all
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
