no tener un pelo de tonto: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  SpainLatin Americaneutral
  • Literal: to not have a single hair of foolishness; a literal reading describing the absence of a specified hair.

  Examples

  Beta

  • El cabello de la muñeca estaba tan bien hecho que no tenía un pelo de tonto, todo era muy realista.

    The doll's hair was so well made that it didn't have a single foolish hair; everything was very realistic.

  • Observando el retrato, noté que el personaje no tenía un pelo de tonto, su expresión mostraba inteligencia.

    Looking at the portrait, I noticed the character didn't have a single silly hair; their expression showed intelligence.

  • La mascota de la familia no tiene un pelo de tonto, siempre sabe cuándo alguien está triste.

    The family pet is not foolish at all; it always knows when someone is sad.

  • El joven actor no tiene un pelo de tonto, su actuación fue muy convincente y brillante.

    The young actor is far from foolish; his performance was very convincing and brilliant.

• 2.

  SpainLatin Americainformalcolloquial
  • Figurative: to be far from foolish; to be shrewd, astute, or completely sensible and not at all naive.

  Examples

  Beta

  • No subestimes a Laura, ella no tiene un pelo de tonta y siempre encuentra la mejor solución.

    Don't underestimate Laura; she is far from foolish and always finds the best solution.

  • En los negocios, Pedro no tiene un pelo de tonto; sabe negociar con mucha astucia.

    In business, Pedro is not at all foolish; he knows how to negotiate very shrewdly.

  • Aunque parecía ingenuo, el niño no tiene un pelo de tonto y entendió todo claramente.

    Although he seemed naive, the boy is far from foolish and understood everything clearly.