parar los pies

1.
All Spanish-speaking regionsneutral
- To stop someone's feet physically; to prevent a person from advancing by physical means.
2.
SpainLatin Americacolloquialneutral
- To halt, check, or curb someone's actions or behavior; to set limits or rebuke someone so they stop what they are doing.

Examples:

ES: Tengo tantas ganas como tú de parar los pies a ese principito.
EN: I suppose I want to give the little bastard what for as much as you do.
ES: Yo no les voy a parar los pies, aunque sean idiotas de baja estofa.
EN: I don't rat on anyone, not even on bums like that.
ES: Un día le voy a parar los pies.
EN: One day I'll put an end to her tricks.
ES: ¡No! Tengo que parar los pies a esos malhechores.
EN: The villain is still on the move.
ES: Pensé que le ibas a parar los pies un poco.
EN: I thought you might push back a little.
ES: Suficiente para parar los pies a Pacheco y los suyos.
EN: - Enough to stop Pacheco and his men.
ES: A tu hermano no le pude parar los pies,
EN: I didn't have time to break your brother's legs,
ES: ¿Se puede parar los pies a un padre que quiere a su hija?
EN: Can a loving father really be stopped so easily?
ES: Pero en los de adultos, no debes improvisar tanto una respuesta, sino parar los pies sin fastidiarles la fiesta.
EN: But at adult events, your improv skills become less about answering questions and more about deflecting without ruining the mood.