Spanish Idiom, Phrase, and Saying Dictionary

• a primera vista

  At first sight; upon first seeing or encountering something, based on the immediate visual impression.

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• a puerta cerrada

  Behind closed doors; in private and not open to the public, especially of hearings, meetings, or judicial proceedings.

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• a puertas

  Used in the construction 'a puertas de' to mean on the eve of or shortly before an event; imminent or...

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• a puertas cerradas

  Behind closed doors; held in private and not open to the public, commonly used of meetings, trials, or official sessions.

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• a pulso

  By one's own effort; earned or achieved through hard work and personal merit.

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• a punta de pala

  In large quantities; in abundance (literally, as if shoveled by the spade).

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• a punta pala

  In great quantity; plentifully or by the handful/heap.

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• a punto

  About to; on the verge of occurring (commonly used with an infinitive: 'a punto de').

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• a punto de caramelo

  Perfectly ready or in ideal condition; ripe for use or exploitation.

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• a punto de nieve

  Of beaten egg whites: at the consistency known as stiff peaks used for meringue and similar preparations.

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• a puro huevo

  By sheer will, effort, or force; achieved purely through determination or brute effort.

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• a rabiar

  To a very great degree; excessively; intensely (used as an adverbial intensifier).

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• a rajatabla

  Strictly, rigorously, or without deviation; carried out exactly according to rules, orders, or instructions.

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• a raudales

  In very large quantities; abundantly; profusely.

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• a regañadientes

  Reluctantly; unwillingly doing something while expressing opposition or lack of enthusiasm.

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• a remolque

  Being towed or pulled by another vehicle or vessel (literal sense).

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• a renglón seguido

  Immediately afterwards; directly following in time or sequence.

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• amén de

  in addition to; besides; apart from

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• a río revuelto, ganancia de pescadores

  In times of disorder or confusion, opportunists benefit; turmoil creates opportunities for those who take advantage.

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• a saber

  That is to say; namely; used to introduce a clarification, specification, or explanation.

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• a sabiendas

  With full knowledge; knowingly.

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• a salto de mata

  Living or moving furtively and irregularly to avoid detection or capture; living on the run.

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• a salvamano

  Rare or regional expression indicating that something is kept as a safeguard or emergency resource; literally 'as a hand-saving/handy measure'.

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• a sangre fría

  In cold blood; showing no emotion, remorse, or agitation when committing a violent or harmful act.

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• a sangre y fuego

  By means of severe violence and destruction; through bloodshed and fire.

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• a secas

  Simply; just; without any added title, qualifier, or additional information — used to indicate the bare name or item alone.

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• a sentadillas

  In a squatting or crouched position; while squatting.

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• a simple vista

  To the naked eye; visible without the aid of instruments or magnification.

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• a so capa

  Probable nonstandard or erroneous form of 'a socapa'; meaning secretly, surreptitiously, or on the sly.

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• a solas

  Alone; by oneself; without the presence of other people.

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• amistad con derechos

  a friendship that includes sexual activity without romantic commitment; 'friends with benefits'

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• amistad con ventajas

  A friendship in which the participants engage in sexual activity without establishing a romantic or committed relationship.

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• amor a primera vista

  An immediate and intense romantic attraction felt upon first seeing another person.

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• andar a la greña

  To be in conflict with someone; to quarrel, argue, or be at odds.

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• andar a la mira

  To be on the lookout or watchful; to move about while keeping a careful watch for someone or something.

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• andar a tres menos cuartillo

  Literally, to be at or near quarter to three (approximately 2:45); used historically to indicate an approximate time.

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• beber a morro

  To drink directly from the container (bottle, can, or other vessel) without using a glass.

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• cabeza de mierda

  A highly insulting term for a contemptible, idiotic, or morally objectionable person; equivalent to 'asshole' or 'jerk' in coarse language.

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• andar como quinceañera

  To behave in an affectedly shy, coy, or girlish manner, suggesting inexperience or coquettishness.

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• andar con ambages

  To speak or act with circumlocution; to avoid stating something plainly by using evasive or roundabout language.

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• cabeza de serie

  A competitor (player or team) assigned a ranking in a tournament draw to denote expected strength and to separate top...

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• andar en chanchullos

  To be involved in shady, underhanded, or corrupt dealings.

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• andar en lenguas

  To be the subject of gossip or widespread rumor; to be talked about by others.

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• andar en malos pasos

  To engage in criminal, immoral, or otherwise disreputable activities.

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• andar mal de dinero

  To be short of money; to be experiencing financial difficulties.

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• andar por los cerros de Úbeda

  To digress from the subject; to speak or act evasively and avoid getting to the point.

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• andarse a la chucha

  To tell someone to go away in a coarse or obscene manner; to send someone to hell.

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• andarse con rodeos

  To avoid speaking directly; to use circumlocution or detours instead of addressing a matter plainly.

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• cabeza de turco

  A person who is blamed, punished, or sacrificed in order to divert responsibility from others; a scapegoat.

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• andarse por las ramas

  To avoid getting to the point; to speak or act in a roundabout way.

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