📚

Spanish Chunks Library

Master high-frequency phrases using the 80/20 principle for rapid Spanish fluency

4988
Total Chunks
3614
Reviewed
1374
Pending Review

Idioms & Sayings 474 chunks

Clear

No hay mal que cien años dure

Nothing lasts forever / This too shall pass

Reviewed
Literally 'there is no hardship that lasts a hundred years'. Comforts someone by reminding them that difficult times eventually end.
3 examples
Learn This Chunk

Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo

Experience counts more than cleverness

Reviewed
Literally 'the devil knows more from being old than from being the devil'. Values the wisdom gained through experience over …
3 examples
Learn This Chunk

Echar agua al mar

To carry coals to Newcastle / To do something pointless

Reviewed
Literally 'to pour water into the sea'. Describes a useless or redundant action — doing something that adds nothing because …
3 examples
Learn This Chunk

Coger el toro por los cuernos

To take the bull by the horns

Reviewed
Means to face a difficult situation directly and boldly instead of avoiding it. Identical in meaning to the English idiom.
3 examples
Learn This Chunk

No morder la mano que te da de comer

Don't bite the hand that feeds you

Reviewed
Warns against acting against the person or organisation that provides for you. Identical in meaning to the English proverb.
3 examples
Learn This Chunk

Dar gato por liebre

To pull a fast one / To pass off something inferior

Reviewed
Literally 'to give a cat instead of a hare'. Means to deceive someone by giving them something of much lower …
3 examples
Learn This Chunk

Buscarle tres pies al gato

To overcomplicate things / To look for problems that don't exist

Reviewed
Literally 'to look for three feet on a cat'. Means making something unnecessarily complicated or finding problems where there are …
3 examples
Learn This Chunk

Hablar por los codos

To talk non-stop / To be a chatterbox

Reviewed
Literally 'to talk through the elbows'. Describes someone who talks excessively and without stopping. Always used affectionately or humorously.
3 examples
Learn This Chunk

Ser un gallina

To be a chicken / To be a coward

Reviewed
Literally 'to be a hen'. Informal and slightly childish insult or joke for someone who is too scared to do …
3 examples
Learn This Chunk

No dar su brazo a torcer

Not to give in / To stand one's ground

Reviewed
Literally 'not to let your arm be twisted'. Describes someone who refuses to change their position or give in to …
3 examples
Learn This Chunk