41 Spanish Idioms To Help You Sound Like A Native (+ Free PDF)

Aside from learning common Spanish words and phrases, one of the best ways to gain fluency and sound like a native speaker is to learn Spanish slang words and expressions. It’s also very important to learn Spanish idioms.

Idioms are phrases that native speakers use daily in informal conversations. While most Spanish idioms can be translated to other languages, the translation of the idiom often doesn’t cover its real meaning.

When Spanish language learners hear an idiom in conversation, it might take them aback as they just don’t understand why the speaker has said that. This is because they don’t grasp the real meaning of the phrase. 

Confusion over the true meaning of a Spanish idiom can bring the conversation to a halt or just to an awkward pause. If you want to avoid such incidents it’s important to learn the true meaning of commons Spanish idioms like the ones we are about to discuss below.

1. Unas veces se gana, otras se pierde

Translation: Sometimes one wins, others one loses

Meaning: You win some, you lose some

This is a wise Spanish idiom that basically reminds us that everyone goes through good and bad times. Everyone wins and loses sometimes.

2. Dar a luz

Translation: To give light

Meaning: To give birth

Spanish is a language full of beautiful words and they have several beautiful idioms as well. This is one of them. Isn’t it a nice way to describe the act of childbirth?

3. Abrir la caja de los truenos

Translation: To open the box of thunder

Meaning: Look for trouble

If you hear this from a Spanish speaker, they are warning you about continuing in your line of inquiry as you might not like the answer. It can also mean that your actions are going to get you in a bad situation. It’s similar to “opening Pandora’s box”.

4. Tener sangre azul

Translation: to have blue blood

Meaning: Born rich

This Spanish idiom is used to say that someone was born into a rich family.

5. Hablar por los codos

Translation: Talking through one’s elbows

Meaning: Talking too much

If you have a professor who drones on and on or a friend who takes forever to get to the point, this is the Spanish idiom to describe them.

6. Ser del año de la pera

Translation: Being from the year of the pear

Meaning: Older

This Spanish idiom is used to describe someone who is old or old-fashioned. 

7. Estar más sano que una manzana

Translation: To be healthier than an apple

Meaning: To be healthy, feeling healthy

If a Spanish speaker has recovered from an illness, they might use this idiom to answer you if you ask how they are. 

8. Subirse al carro

Translation: To get in the car

Meaning: Join in

This Spanish idiom is similar to the English idiom “jump on the bandwagon”. It means to join a group, usually because the group is now associated with something popular.

9. Quedarse en blanco

Translation: Stay blank

Meaning: Doesn’t have an answer

This Spanish idiom is similar to the English idiom “draw a blank”. If you have forgotten the answer to a quiz question or just don’t know what to say, these are examples of “quedarse en blanco”.

10. Meter la pata

Translation: Put a foot on it

Meaning: To have done the wrong thing

When a Spanish speaker uses this idiom, they are basically saying that they have done the wrong thing and gotten themselves in a bad situation.

11. Verlo todo de color rosa

Translation: See everything in pink

Meaning: Always optimistic

The meaning of this Spanish idiom is similar to “seeing everything with rose-colored glasses”. It describes an irrepressible optimist, someone who always tries to see the bright, or in this case the pink, side.

12. Verlo todo negro

Translation: See everything in black

Meaning: Pessimist

This is the opposite of the idiom above. It describes a hopeless or gloomy person.

13. Ser una gallina

Translation: To be a hen

Meaning: Coward

This Spanish idiom is used to say someone is cowardly or easily frightened.

14. Temblar como un flan

Translation: To shake like pudding

Meaning: Nervous

This Spanish idiom is used to describe someone who is nervous.

15. Taparse los ojos

Translation: To cover one’s eyes

Meaning: Ignore

This Spanish idiom is similar to the English idiom, to turn a blind eye. The implication here is that someone is being willfully blind or ignoring what is happening around them.

16. Dar la vuelta a la tortilla

Translation: Turn the omelet the other way

Meaning: To gain the advantage

This might sound like a cooking instruction, but it actually has nothing to do with cooking or even food. This idiom is similar to the English expression “the tables have turned”. It means that someone has managed to change a bad situation so it is now in their favor. 

17. Tener memoria de pez

Translation: To have a fish’s memory

Meaning: Forgetful

If you want to say someone has a bad memory, this is the Spanish idiom to use. 

18. Ponerse morado

Translation: Turn purple 

Meaning: Stuffed or full of food and drink

This might sound alarming to English speakers if they first hear it, turning purple usually means choking or being unable to breathe in English, but it isn’t that bad. A Spanish speaker will use this phrase similar to how an English speaker will say that they are “stuffed.” They are saying they ate and drank a lot, maybe too much.

19. Se me hace agua la boca

Translation: It makes my mouth water

Meaning: The dish looks/smells delicious

If you want to compliment a Spanish-speaking friend who likes to cook when they invite you to try what they’ve made, use this idiom.

20. Estar como un cabra

Translation: Be like a goat

Meaning: Acting crazy

If someone is acting a little crazy or behaving in an erratic and uncharacteristic way, this is the Spanish idiom to describe them.

21. Echar una mano

Translation: To introduce your hands in a place

Meaning: Help someone

This is similar to the English idiom “lend a hand”. It is basically used to either say that they are going to help or to ask you if you can help.

22. Estar verde

Translation: To be green

Meaning: Inexperienced

This Spanish idiom is used to describe someone who lacks experience. So, someone like the new intern in your office. It can also be used to imply that someone is naïve or innocent.

23. Ser la oveja negra de la familia

Translation: He/she is the black sheep of the family

Meaning: Different from the rest 

When a Spanish speaker uses this idiom to describe a member of their family, they are saying that they are different. It can also be used to describe someone who doesn’t really belong to the group.

24. Es tu media naranja

Translation: He/she is your half orange

Meaning: He/she is your significant other

This is a sweet way that Spanish speaker might tease a friend who is in a relationship. It means that they think you have found a good partner.

25. Empezar la casa por el tejado

Translation: Start the house by the roof

Meaning: Doing things out of order

If someone says this, they believe that you are getting ahead of yourself. You are planning something wrong or skipping to many steps.

26. Lavarse los manos

Translation: Wash your hands

Meaning: I won’t be responsible

If a Spanish speaker uses this idiom, they are saying that they refuse to take responsibility for a situation or to get involved. It can be a bit of a warning, they are saying they think you are making a mistake but don’t know how they can stop you.

27. Estar hecho un ají

Translation: Made a chili

Meaning: Angry

This is a Spanish idiom that can be used to describe someone who is very angry.

28. Es pan comido

Translation: It’s eaten bread

Meaning: It’s simple or it’s easy

A native Spanish speaker will use this idiom if they are talking about a certain task or job. If they say this, they are saying that the task is easy. This is similar to the English idiom “piece of cake”.

29. Tomar el pelo

Translation: Take the hair

Meaning: Your joking, I don’t believe you

If you hear this from a Spanish speaker, they are asking if you are joking. 

30. Hablar sin pelos en la lengua

Translation: Speak without hairs on the tongue

Meaning: To be frank

If you hear this Spanish idiom, the speaker is about to be direct and frank with you. 

31. Ponerse como un tomate

Translation: To become a tomato

Meaning: Blushing

This is a Spanish idiom that refers to the act of blushing. If you are flushed due to embarrassment or shyness, you might hear a Spanish speaker comment on it using this idiom.

32. Estar hasta las narices

Translation: To have it up to your nose

Meaning: To be annoyed

If you have been patient with someone but they have now irritated you beyond reason, you can use this idiom to describe your feelings. If a Spanish speaker says this, they are frustrated or irritated with a situation.

33. Tirar la casa por la venta

Translation: Throw the house through the window

Meaning: Spend a lot

This is a funny-sounding Spanish idiom whose translation really doesn’t make sense but it just means that someone is willing to spend a lot. It’s similar to the idea of sparing no expense.

34. Andar con pies plomo

Translation: Walk with lead feet

Meaning: Be cautious

You might think that this is similar to the English idiom of “dragging one’s feet” or moving slowly, but it actually means to be careful to act cautiously.

35. Ponerse de mala leche

Translation: To become bad milk

Meaning: To be in a bad mood

A Spanish speaker will use this idiom to call you annoying or irritating. It implies that something has happened to make them “sour” or put them in a bad mood. 

36. Quedarse de piedra

Translation: Stay like a stone

Meaning: Stunned

If you were shocked so amazed at something that you were stunned into silence or to not moving or reacting, you experienced “quedarse de piedra”.

37. No pegar un ojo

Translation: To not stick an eye

Meaning: Slept badly

If you hear this from a Spanish speaker, they are saying that they didn’t sleep well.

38. Levantarse con las gallinas

Translation: Get up with the chickens

Meaning: Get up early

This Spanish idiom describes the act of getting up early in the morning.

39. Ser un bombón

Translation: To be a bonbon

Meaning: Someone is attractive

A “bombón” is a piece of candy or a sweet, and the implication of this idiom is that you are sweet on someone or find them attractive.

40. Lo dijo de labios para fuera

Translation: Said from the lips outwards

Meaning: Said something they didn’t mean

If a Spanish speaker said something hurtful or thoughtless that they were sorry for afterward, this is the idiom that describes what they did.

41. Tener enchufe

Translation: To have a plug

Meaning: To be well connected

If a Spanish speaker describes someone like this, they are saying that they are well connected and possibly influential.

Conclusion

If you want to learn a language like Spanish, it’s important to add some fun to your language lessons. One good way to learn Spanish is to listen to Spanish music, not only will you pick up some great new vocabulary words this way and learn the accent, but you can learn a lot about the culture of Spanish speakers.

You can also consider watching Spanish cinema, or TV shows, or even listen to Spanish language podcasts.

Studying Spanish idioms is also a fun way to gain fluency learn how Spanish speakers think. One of the best ways to get a good feel for idioms and how to use them in daily conversation is to work with a native Spanish-speaking tutor.

We suggest that you download this PDF file of the 41 Spanish idioms that we listed here. Take the list and go through them with your Spanish-speaking tutor. They can help you memorize the idioms and their meanings and provide some helpful feedback on your pronunciation. They are also sure to have even more fun and funny Spanish idioms that you can learn and use.