Common Spanish Idioms and Their Meanings in English


Learning Spanish is more than memorizing vocabulary and grammar—it’s also about understanding idiomatic expressions that native speakers use every day. Spanish idioms can be colorful, funny, or metaphorical, and knowing them will make your conversations sound more natural. Here’s a guide to 46 common Spanish idioms and what they mean in English.

1. “Estar en las nubes” – To be daydreaming

  • Literal: “To be in the clouds”

  • Meaning: Someone is distracted or not paying attention.

2. “Tirar la toalla” – To give up

  • Literal: “To throw in the towel”

  • Meaning: Similar to English, it means surrendering or quitting.

3. “No tener pelos en la lengua” – To speak your mind

  • Literal: “To have no hairs on the tongue”

  • Meaning: Being blunt or straightforward.

4. “Ser pan comido” – To be a piece of cake

  • Literal: “To be eaten bread”

  • Meaning: Something very easy to do.

5. “Meter la pata” – To put one’s foot in one’s mouth

  • Literal: “To put the paw in”

  • Meaning: To make a mistake or say something awkward.

6. “Más vale tarde que nunca” – Better late than never

  • Literal: “It’s worth more late than never”

  • Meaning: It’s better to do something late than not at all.

7. “Dar en el clavo” – To hit the nail on the head

  • Literal: “To hit the nail”

  • Meaning: To be exactly right about something.

8. “Costar un ojo de la cara” – To cost an arm and a leg

  • Literal: “To cost an eye from the face”

  • Meaning: Very expensive.

9. “Estar como una cabra” – To be a little crazy

  • Literal: “To be like a goat”

  • Meaning: Acting eccentric or slightly mad.

10. “Andar con pies de plomo” – To tread carefully

  • Literal: “To walk with lead feet”

  • Meaning: To proceed cautiously.

Tips for Learning Spanish Idioms

  1. Learn in context: Use idioms in sentences to remember their meaning.

  2. Watch Spanish media: Movies, TV shows, and YouTube videos are great sources.

  3. Practice speaking: Incorporate idioms in daily conversations for natural usage.

  4. Group by theme: Focus on idioms about emotions, food, animals, or daily life.

Why Idioms Matter

Using idioms in Spanish makes your speech more natural, fluent, and engaging. They reflect cultural nuances and help you connect better with native speakers.

Bottom Line

Mastering Spanish idioms is a fun and practical way to enhance your fluency. Start with the most common expressions, like “estar en las nubes” or “tirar la toalla,” and gradually expand your idiom vocabulary. Soon, you’ll be understanding conversations, jokes, and stories like a native speaker.