darse con un canto en los dientes — meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  SpainLatin Americacolloquialidiomatic
  • To be grateful or content with little; to count oneself lucky to receive or keep something small or unsatisfactory.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Después de perder casi todo, tuvieron que darse con un canto en los dientes y conformarse con lo poco que quedó.

    After losing almost everything, they had to be grateful with little and settle for the little that remained.

  • Aunque el premio fue pequeño, me doy con un canto en los dientes por haber ganado algo en la rifa.

    Even though the prize was small, I am content with having won something in the raffle.

  • No consiguieron el contrato, pero se dieron con un canto en los dientes al obtener una pequeña colaboración.

    They didn't get the contract, but they were happy with a little by securing a small collaboration.

• 2.

  SpainLatin Americacolloquial
  • To have to accept an unsatisfactory outcome; to settle for meager compensation or a poor result.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Después de tantos esfuerzos, solo se dieron con un canto en los dientes al recibir una compensación mínima.

    After so much effort, they had to settle for a meager compensation.