📚

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

Perder los estribos

To lose one's temper / To lose control

Reviewed
Literally 'to lose the stirrups'. Describes completely losing emotional control, usually in anger. Common in both written and spoken Spanish.
3 examples
Learn This Chunk

Salir por la tangente

To dodge the issue / To go off on a tangent

Reviewed
Literally 'to leave by the tangent'. Describes avoiding a question or difficult topic by changing the subject or giving an …
3 examples
Learn This Chunk

Estar al pie del cañón

To be at one's post / To be ready for action

Reviewed
Literally 'to be at the foot of the cannon'. Describes someone who is reliably present and ready to work, especially …
3 examples
Learn This Chunk

Comerse el coco

To overthink / To rack one's brain

Reviewed
Literally 'to eat one's coconut (head)'. Describes obsessing over something or overthinking a problem until you drive yourself mad.
3 examples
Learn This Chunk

Quedarse con las ganas

To be left wanting / To not get what you hoped for

Reviewed
Describes the feeling of disappointment when you wanted or expected something but didn't get it. Can be used for small …
3 examples
Learn This Chunk

Dar la lata

To be a nuisance / To pester

Reviewed
Informal. Literally 'to give the tin'. Means to bother, annoy, or pester someone persistently. Common in everyday speech.
3 examples
Learn This Chunk

Tener la cabeza en su sitio

To have one's head screwed on / To be sensible

Reviewed
Describes someone who is rational, sensible, and makes good decisions. A compliment about someone's judgement and mental clarity.
3 examples
Learn This Chunk

No tener pelos en la lengua

Not to mince one's words / To be outspoken

Reviewed
Literally 'not to have hairs on the tongue'. Describes someone who says exactly what they think, without softening or filtering …
3 examples
Learn This Chunk

Irse por las ramas

To beat around the bush / To go off on a tangent

Reviewed
Literally 'to go off into the branches'. Describes someone who avoids the main point by talking about unrelated or peripheral …
3 examples
Learn This Chunk

estar más sano que una pera

to be as fit as a fiddle

Reviewed
Literally 'healthier than a pear'.
3 examples
Learn This Chunk