﻿to be about to burst #no caber una cosa en el pecho #Untitled2511#a thing won't fit in one's chest #Mex, DR, ES, Sp # I was about to burst with anger.# Tenia tanta rabia que no me cabia en el pecho.

absolutely not, period. (No way.) # Punto acabado. (Punto final.) #Untitled3210#Finished, period. #Mex, U, Arg # Absolutely not, period. Let's not talk about that subject any more.# Punto final. No hablemos mas del tema.

to act innocent but not be (hurt someone but cover up one's action) #tirar la piedra y esconder la mano #Untitled3832#to throw the stone and hide one's hand# L. Am., Sp # She acts innocent, but isn't. You can't trust her.# Es una persona de las que tira la piedra y esconde la mano. No te puedes fiar de ella.

to act like... (pretend to be like)#darselas de... #Untitled1169#to give them to oneself as ... # L. Am., Sp# She acts like she's well educated (cultured), but she isn't.# Se la da de culta, pero no lo es.

to act like a fool #tontear#Untitled3905## L. Am., Sp #Ramon crashed because he was acting like a fool in the car. #Ramon choco porque iba tonteando (menseando) en el carro.

to act like someone who's never made a mistake# no haber roto un plato #Untitled2545#to not have broken a plate# Mex, Sp # Luis acts like he's never made a mistake.# Luis nunca ha roto un plato.

to act sheepish #aparecer avergonzado(-a) #Untitled4135##L. Am., Sp; chivearse in Mex, ES # When they asked him to sing, he acted sheepish. #Cuando le pidieron que cantara, se chiveo.

to act sweet (all sweetness and light) #estar hecho(-a) un almibar #Untitled1806#to be made a syrup# Sp # My husband has become all sweetness and light because he got home late last night. #Mi esposo esta hecho un almibar porque llego tarde anoche.

action (fun) #la movida #Untitled2408 ##most of L. Am., Sp#Ariel is always where the action is (in the center of fun).# Ariel siempre esta en la movida.

actions speak louder than words. #En la cancha se ven los gallos. #Untitled572#It's in the ring that we see the roosters.# Ch # The new boss says he knows how to increase productivity, but actions speak louder than words. #El nuevo jefe dice que sabe aumentar la productividad, pero en la concha se ven los gallos.

to add fuel to the fire #echar leÒa al fuego#Untitled1324# # L. Am., Sp #It's better to keep quiet and not add fuel (lit., wood) to the fire. #Es mejor callarse y no echar leÒa al fuego.

against one's will (by force, grudgingly) #a la fuerza #Untitled1561#by force# L. Am., Sp; a la brava (at the brave) Chicano, Mex, DR, PR, DR, CR,Col, Sp; a rastras in Mex, U, Sp; a chaleco (at vest) Mex # I finished the work, but I did it against my will (because I had to).# Termine el trabajo, pero lo hice a la brava.

ages ago (a long time ago) #cuando Franco era cabo (corneta) #Untitled1025#when Franco was a corporal [a trumpet player]# Sp; en el ano catapun (in the year catapun) Sp; en el ano de la pera (in the year of the pear) Ven, Peru, Ch, Sp #See this picture from school? It's from ages ago. #Ves esta foto del colegio? Es del ano de la pera.

to air dirty laundry (to give someone the lowdown) #sacar los trapos al sol #Untitled3472#to take the rags or clothes out into the sun# L. Am., Sp #Adela is airing dirty laundry, but I'm not interested in her gossip. #Adela esta sacando los trapos al sol, pero no me interesan sus chismes.




to be an airhead #tener la cabeza hueca #Untitled3733#to have the head hollow# Mex, U, Arg, Sp #You're not an airhead. So think about how you're going to solve this problem.# No tienes la cabeza hueca. Entonces piensa como vas a resolver este problema.

alive and kicking #vivito(-a) y coleando #Untitled4074#alive and wagging its tail# L. Am., Sp # Have you seen Daniela? -No, but I know she's alive and kicking. #Has visto a Daniela? -No, pero se que esta vivita y coleando.

to be all broken up about something (a death or loss) #quedarse hecho(-a) polvo #Untitled4136#to be made into dust# L. Am., Sp; estar hecho(-a) pelota (to be made into a ball) U, Arg # The kids are all broken up about their mother's death. #Los muchachos estan hechos pelota con la muerte de su madre.

all by my lonesome (alone, independent, or without support) #sin padre ni madre, ni perro que me ladre #Untitled3586#without father or mother or dog that barks for me# Mex, PR, Ch, Arg, Sp # Do you have friends in this city? -No, I'm all by my lonesome. #Tienes amigos en esta ciudad? -No, estoy sin padre ni madre, ni perro que me ladre.

all by oneself (with no help, alone; slang) #solano(-a) #Untitled3603#used instead of solo[-a]# Chicano, Mex, Cuba, Col, U, Arg # You're not going out with Carmen anymore? I always see you all by yourself. #Ya no sales con Carmen? Siempre to veo solano.

all kinds of people #hijos de muchas madres #Untitled1830#children of many mothers# Sp # All kinds of people died in the war, not just American soldiers.# En la guerra murieron hijos de muchas madres, no solo soldados americanos.

all of a sudden (soon) #de pronto#Untitled3190 ## Mex, C. Am., Col, Ch, Arg, Sp # All of a sudden the wind filled the whole room and the window broke.# De pronto el viento invadio toda la habitacion y la ventana se rompio.

to be all over someone (to give someone a hard time) #pisarle los callos a alguien #Untitled2989#to step on someone's callouses# ES, Peru, Ch # My mother-in-law is always all over me; she doesn't leave me alone.# Mi suegra siempre me esta pisando los callos; no me deja en paz.

all right. (That's it. OK.) #Orale. #Untitled2662 #used to animate someone to do something or in accepting an invitation# Mex, C. Am., Col (RVAR used originally in Mex, but young people now use it in C. Am., Col also, can be used to express surprise) # All right, then, let's go to the movies.# Orale, vamos al cine.

all right, agreed. It's a deal.# Esta bien. De acuerdo.#Untitled4137## L. Am., Sp; Vaya. Mex, G, ES, DR, Col; Vale. (It is worth something.) Sp #Let's go to the movies with my parents. -All right.# Vamos al cine con mis padres. -Vale.


to be all the same (to someone) #dar igual, dar to mismo #Untitled1102#to give the same# L. Am., Sp # Going to the party or not is all the same to me. #Me da igual (lo mismo) ir a la fiesta que no ir.

all the time (frequently)# a cada rato #Untitled491# at each little time# L. Am., Sp # You keep asking me what time it is all the time. Why don't you wear a watch?# Me pides la hora a coda rato. Por que no llevas reloj?

to be all-purpose (serve for contrary uses) #servir to mismo para un fregado que para un barrido #Untitled3563#to serve for a scrubbing as for a sweeping# Cuba, Sp # This boy is wonderful; he's all purpose and can do anything. #Este chico es estupendo; tanto sirve para un fregado como para un barrido.

almost. It's (I'm, etc.) on the way. (almost ready) #Ya casi.#Untitled4138## L. Am., Sp; mero: Ya mero. Ya merito. Mex, G, ES, Nic # Did you prepare the food (fix the meal) yet? -Almost. #Ya preparaste la comida? -Ya mero.

and a bit (small amount) #y pico#Untitled4099## most of L. Am., Sp # It's a bit after three. #Son las tres y Pico,

and that's it (only that; alone) #a secas #Untitled3534#dry# Mex, Ch, Sp # The letter didn't arrive because it didn't have an address. It had a name and that's it. #La carta no llego porque no llevaba la direccion. Llevaba un nombre a secas.

to be an angel #ser (un) pan de Dios #Untitled2708#to be God's bread# DR, ES, Ch, U #The bus driver is an angel. He always waits until I get in the house before leaving. #El chofer del bus es un pan de Dios. Siempre espera que entre a la casa antes de irse.


anxiety attack# el ataque de ansiedad#Untitled4139## L. Am., Sp; el calambre (cramp) Mex, Col# He had an anxiety attack at the office.# Le dio un calambre en la oficina.

any old way (in any possible way) #mal que bien #Untitled2119#badly as well# Mex, DR, ES, Peru, Sp # She did her work any old way (not well); we accepted it because she's the daughter of the director.# Mal que bien, hizo su trabajo; se to aceptamos porque es la hija del director.


to be the apple of one's eye #ser la niÒa de los (sus) ojos#Untitled2498 #to be the pupil of one's eyes# Mex, DR, ES, Sp # My only son is the apple of my eye.# Mi unico hijo es la niÒa de mis ojos.


armed to the teeth #armado(-a) hasta los dientes#Untitled199## L. Am., Sp # She came to the meeting armed to the teeth with all her arguments prepared and convinced the board of directors. #Vino a la reunion armada hasta los dientes con todos sus argumentos preparados y convencio al directorio.

to be as good as gold #ser mas bueno que el pan #Untitled2201#to be better than bread# most of L. Am., Sp # That boy is as good as gold. #Ese niÒo es mas bueno que el pan.

as if by magic (through extraordinary or unnatural means) #por arte de birlibirloque (also, por arte de magia) #Untitled3099 #DR, PR, Ch, Sp #As if by magic and without really knowing how he did it, Gabriel convinced us all of his point of view. #Por arte de birlibirloque y sin saber muy bien como, Garbriel nos convencio a todos de su posicion.

as if he (she, etc.) didn't have a care in the world (just like that)# como si nada #Untitled893#as if nothing# L. Am., Sp # He heard the bad news as if he didn't have a care in the world.# Escucha las malas noticias como si nada.

as if to say# como quien dice #Untitled890#as someone says# L. Am., Sp # He made a face as if to say "Yuck!"# Hizo un gesto como quien dice "Huacala!"

as slow as molasses in January (as a snail) #ser la muerte en bicicleta #Untitled2417#to be death on a bicycle# Florida; mas lento(-a) que una caravana de cojos (slower than a caravan of limping people) PR, Col; mas lento(-a) que un suero de brea (slower than tar plasma) PR # Hurry up, girl! You're slow as molasses in January. #Apurate, niÒa! Eres mas lenta que una caravana de cojos.

as sure as we're standing here (as shootin') #como dos y dos son cuatro #Untitled872#like two and two are four# L. Am., Sp # Are you sure of what you're saying? -As sure as we're standing here. #Estas segura de lo que dices? -Por supuesto, como dos y dos son cuatro.

as you like. #Como quiera(s). #Untitled891#Whatever you want.# L. Am., Sp #Shall we eat at that restaurant? -If you like.#Comamos en aquel restauran? -Como quieras.


to ask for a ride# pedir un aventon #Untitled4140##Mex, ES, Nic; pedir un jalon G, ES, CR, Peru; pedir pon PR, Col, Sp # The car's in the shop again. I have to ask the neighbor for a ride. #Otra vez he tenido que llevar el coche al taller. Tengo que pedirle pon al vecino.



asshole (lazy, uncooperative person, person who takes no initiative, vulgar) #el/la culero(-a) #Untitled1054#commonly used in masculine; pejorative# Chicano, Mex, C. Am. # Those assholes did nothing to help us. #Esos culeros no hicieron nada para ayudarnos.

asshole #el/la pendejo(-a) #Untitled2894#pubic hair, vulgar# Mex, DR, PR, C. Am., Col; el cerote (turd, vulgar) C. Am.; el/la cara de culo (ass face, vulgar) ES, Arg, Sp; el/la gilipollas (vulgar, from polla) Sp # I don't want to listen to you; you're an asshole. #No quiero escucharte; eres un pendejo.

at a snail's pace #a paso de tortuga #Untitled2812#at a turtle's pace# L. Am., Sp; a vuelta de ruedas (at wheels' turning) Mex, Hond, ES # The construction of the new hotel is going at a snail's pace; I doubt if they'll open it by the end of the year.# La construccion del nuevo hotel marcha a paso de tortuga; Judo que lo inauguren a fin de aÒo.

to be at blows (always fighting) #andar a palos#Untitled146## Mex, Sp #German and Dora hardly speak to each other because they're always fighting. #German y Dora casi no se hablan porque andan a palos constantemente.


at death's door# a las puertas de la muerte# Untitled3201## Mex, DR, Ch, Sp # My sister was at death's door, but thank God she's better now.# Mi hermona estuvo a las puertas de la muerte, pero gracias a Dios esta mejor.


to be at odds with someone (on bad terms) #estar de punta uno con otro #Untitled3206#to beat point with another# Mex, U, Ch # The partners were always at odds with each other, and the business didn't work out. #Los socios siempre estuvieron de punta, y el negocio no anduvo.

at once (all at one time) #de un tiron #Untitled3844#at one pull# L. Am., Sp# I finished the work at once. #Termine el trabajo de un tiron.

to beat one's post #on one's toes#Untitled2954# estar al pie del caÒon #to be at the foot of the cannon# Mex, ES, S. Cone, Sp # If you need something, call me. I'll be here at my post (on my toes). #Si necesitas algo, llamame. Aqui estare al pie del caÒon.


to be at the boiling point (because of anger or passion) #estar como agua para chocolate #Untitled859#to be like water for chocolate# Mex, CR #When Miguel got home, his wife was at the boiling point. #Cuando Miguel llego a la casa, su esposa estaba como agua para chocolate.

at the end (in the end, at last) #al final#Untitled3158## L. Am., Sp; a la postre (at the dessert, slang) Mex, DR, Sp # In the end you're going to thank (lit., be thankful to) me for making you go to school. #A la postre me vas a agradecer que to haya obligado a ir a la escuela.


at the top of one's lungs# a grito pelado #Untitled1620#to the peeled shout# most of L. Am., Sp # He started to call me at the top of his lungs in the middle of the party. Everybody stopped talking. #Empezo a llamarme a grito pelado en medio de la fiesta. Todos se callaron.

at this point; at this stage# a estas alturas #Untitled121#at these heights# L. Am., Sp # You want to change the plan at this point (in time)? I don't believe it! #Quieres cambiar el plan a estas alturas? No lo creo!

awesome, cool, super #bestial #Untitled335##Mex, DR, PR, Col, Peru, U, Arg, Sp (RVAR: more likely bad in Mex); macanudo(-a) (probably from the Dominican cigar or from the Argentine liar, Sr. Macana) Nic, S. Cone; de miedo (scary, frightening) Ch, Sp barbaro(-a) (barbarous) L. Am., Sp# It was an awesome film. #Fue una pelicula bestial.




babe (good-looking woman, woman with a good figure) #la buenona#Untitled428## Chicano, Mex, Cuba, C. Am., Col, Ec, Para, Ch, Sp; la mamasota (sometimes used as a term to get a woman's attention; also, a bit vulgar) Mex, DR, PR, G, ES, Col; el cuero (skin, leather; also used for men) Mex # My neighbor is a babe. #Mi vecina es una buenona. 


back and forth (negotiations between two people or groups having trouble arriving at a solution) #tira y afloja #Untitled3822#pull and give slack# Mex, Peru, S. Cone, Sp # Ana and Leandro's divorce was very sad. They spent years in negotiations back and forth without resolving anything. #El divorcio de Ana y Leandro fue muy triste. Por aÒos se pasaron en tiro y afloja sin resolver nada.

to back down (give in, to give up) #echarse atras#Untitled4141## L. Am., Sp; bajarse del burro (to get off the donkey) Mex, Col, Ec, Peru; apearse del burro (to get off the donkey) Sp; bajar las orejas (to lower the ears) Sp # When he saw that everyone was against him, he backed down.# Cuando vio que todos estaban en su contra, bajo las orejas.

to back out (chicken out, give up) #rajarse #Untitled3342#to split# Mex, Cuba, DR, ES, Col, Peru, U, Sp; apendejarse Mex, Cuba, PR, DR, Col; amilanarse G, S. Cone, Sp; achicarse (to get small) S. Cone, Sp # You said you'd come to the movies, so don't back out now. #Dijiste que vendrias al cine; no te rajes ahora.

to backfire (have an opposite result from what was expected) #salir el tiro por la culata #Untitled3499#to have the shot go out the butt of the rifle# L. Am., Sp # They were sure they would win the election easily, but things backfired on them.# Estaban seguros que ganarian las elecciones facilmente; sin embargo les salid el tiro por la culata.

bad guy (creep, troublemaker) #el malvado/la malvada#Untitled4142## L. Am., Sp; el pato malo (bad duck) Ch; el/la macarra Sp # A man who looked like a troublemaker came in and sat down near us. #Entro un hombre con aspecto de macarra y se sento cerca de nosotros.

bad intentions# mala leche (vulgar)#Untitled3757## S. Cone, Sp # You could see their bad intentions ever since they got here. #Se les ve la la mala leche desde que llegaron.

bad rap or rep #mala nota #Untitled2124#bad note# most of L. Am. #That school has a bad rep.# Esa escuela es (de) muy mala nota.

bad words (swear words; slightly vulgar)# la chingadera#Untitled731## Chicano, Mex, G, ES #Don't say bad words (like that).# No digas chingaderas.


balls (testicles) #los huevos #Untitled4143#eggs (vulgar)# L. Am., Sp; los cojones (vulgar) parts of L. Am., Sp; los coyoles (fruits of a kind of palm tree, vulgar) C. Am.; las huevas (testicles, variant of huevos) Nic, Ch; las bolas (balls, vulgar) S. Cone

ballsy (brave) #cojonudo(-a) #Untitled821# from cojones, testicles; vulgar# Mex, Cuba, Col, Sp # You're a ballsy woman.# Eres una mujer cojonuda.

to be ballsy (have balls)# tener los huevos bien puestos #Untitled3748#to have one's eggs, meaning testicles, well placed (vulgar)# L. Am., Sp # They said they had balls and would stand up to the delinquents. #Ellos dijeron que tenian los huevos bien puestos y que enfrentarian a los delincuentes.

baloneys (bunch of nonsense) #el disparate (shot off the mark)#Untitled1261# L. Am., Sp; las sandeces L. Am., Sp; la babosada L. Am.; la mamada (sucking, nursing; vulgar) Mex, ES, Col; el cuento chino (Chinese story) Mex, Nic, U, Arg, Sp; el rollo macabeo (patatero) (Maccabean [potato-seller's] roll) Sp; las chorradas Sp; las gilipolleces (slightly vulgar) Sp; las pamplinas (from the name of a plant) Sp # He's a good man. -Baloney! #Es un buen hombre. -Que disparate! 

baloney! (Nonsense!) #Puro cuento! ##Untitled3225#Pure story!# Mex, ES, Col, U; Pura paja! (Pure straw!) Mex, C. Am., Col# He says his girlfriend is from an aristocratic family. -Baloney! #Dice que su novia es de una families aristocrdtica. -Puras vainas!


bare naked #en pelota #Untitled2885#in ball (somewhat vulgar) #DR, PR, G, Nic, S. Cone; en pelotas (in balls, somewhat vulgar) Mex, DR, PR, Col, Peru, S. Cone, Sp # It was really hot this summer; I slept bare naked every night.# Hizo mucho calor este verano; dormi todas las noches en pelota.

to barely make ends meet (be barely middle-class) #ser gente de medio pelo #Untitled1593#to be people by half a hair# Mex, Nic, S. Cone, Sp # They barely make ends meet,, they work for the minimum wage.# Son gente de medio pelo, que trabaja por salarios m!nimos.

barking up the wrong tree #No van por ahi los tiros. #Untitled2626#The shots aren't going that way.# DR, Ch, Sp #Patricio is visiting the Benavides family a lot. I think he likes Josefina. -You're barking up the wrong tree. It's Ana he likes.# Patricio esta visitando mucho la casa de los Benavides. Creo que le gusta Josefina. -No van por ahi los tiros. Es Ana que le interesa.

bash (party)# la pachanga, el pachangon #Untitled2679 ##most of L. Am.; el mitote (big myth) Chicano, Mex; el reventon (blowout) Mex, C. Am.; el bonche (also, mess or disorder) Mex, DR, ES, Nic, Ven, Bol; la jarana Mex, Peru, U, Arg, Sp; el bembe Caribbean; la farra Ec, S. Cone, Sp; la festichola U, Arg # We went to a firstclass bash on Friday. #Fuimos a un reventon de primero el viernes.


to be like a homebody# parecer que alguien esta empollando huevos #Untitled2753#to seem like someone is nesting eggs# Sp # Dorotea is a real homebody; she doesn't go anywhere.# Dorotea parece que esta empollando huevos; no sale a ninguna parte.

to be on the lookout (to pay attention) #aguaitar, estar al aguaite #Untitled75 ##Pan, Ec, Peru, Ch # Juan is looking out for the house, which is empty.# Juan esta al aguaite de la casa, que se queda sola.


to beat around the bush #andarse con rodeos #Untitled164#to go around and around# L. Am., Sp; andarse por las ramas (to go around the branches) L. Am., Sp; irse por las ramas (to go around the branches) Mex # This guy doesn't beat around the bush. He says exactly what he thinks and doesn't hold back. #Este muchacho no se anda por las ramas. Dice directamente lo que piensa y no se entretiene.


to beat one's brains out (to work like a dog) #romperse la cabeza (los cascos) #Untitled3436#to break the head [skulls]# Mex, DR, Sp; romperse los cuernos (to break the horns) U, Sp # I beat my brains out studying for the test for nothing. In the end, I flunked. #Me rompi la cabeza estudiando para el examen para nada. Al final, suspendi.


to beat someone to the punch (get ahead of someone)# madrugar a alguien #Untitled4144#to get up early on someone# L. Am., Sp; hacerle la cama a alguien (to make the bed for someone) S. Cone # I got distracted and that guy beat me to the punch. I missed out on a good opportunity at work.# Me distraje y ese tipo me madrugo. Perdi una buena oportunidad en el trabajo.

to beat someone up #desmadrar, partirle/romperle a alguien la cara #Untitled2768## most of L. Am., Sp; desmadrar a alguien (to dismother someone) Chicano, Mex, Col; hacer polvo a alguien (to make someone dust) Mex, Cuba, DR, G, ES, Col, Sp; hacer pure a alguien (to make someone a puree) Mex, DR, ES, U, Arg, Sp# At the demonstration, the police beat up several demonstrators. #En la manifestacion, la policia desmadro a varios manifestantes.

because he (she, etc.) damn well has to # a puro huevo (also, a huevos) #Untitled3227#at pure egg, testicle; vulgar# Mex, C. Am.; por pelotas (cojones) (by balls, vulgar) Sp # Juan damn well had to do it.# Juan tuvo que hacerlo por pelotas.

because of his (her, etc.) good looks (usually meaning that something may come about undeservedly) #por su cara bonita #Untitled3138#because of his or her pretty face# Mex, ES, Ch, Sp; por su linda cara (because of his or her handsome face) Mex, DR, S. Cone, Sp # Do you think you're going to pass the test because of your good looks? #Crees que por to cara bonita vas a aprobar el examen?

to become an item (get together)# empatarse #Untitled1379#Mex, Cuba, CR, Col, Ven; estar empatados (to be tied) Mex, PR, Ven # Silvia and Pedro became an item in February. #Silvia y Pablo se empataron en febrero.


beggars can't be choosers. #Comer y callar. #Untitled848#Eat and be quiet, said when someone is benefiting from someone else and should not speak against them.# most of L. Am., Sp # Who cares that this cabin is small? Beggars can't be choosers. #Que importa que esta cabaÒa sea chica? Comer y collar.

to be behind (in work, payments, etc.) #estar atrasado(-a) #Untitled251##L. Am., Sp# I'm behind in my work. #Estoy atrasado en el trabajo.


to bell the cat (do something difficult or dangerous) #poner el cascabel al gato #Untitled3050##L. Am., Sp # Who's going to bell the cat and tell the professor that we won't finish the project today? #Quien le pone el cascabel al gato y le dice a la profesora que no terminaremos el proyecto hoy?

to be beside oneself (in a very bad mood) #estar que me (lo, la, etc.) lleva el diablo #Untitled2041#to be ready for the devil to take# Mex, DR, C. Am.; estar como todos los diablos (to be like all the devils) Mex, G, CR # It's difficult to work with you today; you're beside yourself. #Es dificil trabajar contigo hoy; estas como todos los diablos.


better half (spouse, sweetheart; male or female) #la media naranja #Untitled2251#half orange# L. Am., Sp #Where's your better half? #Donde esta to media naranja?

it's better than nothing. #Peor es nada. #Untitled2900#Worse is nothing.# L. Am., Sp # I only have one new pair of pants. -That's enough. It's better than nothing.# Tengo solo un pan talon nuevo. -Es suficiente. Peor es nada.


between a rock and a hard place (without the possibility of escape) #entre la espada y la pared #Untitled1429#between the sword and the wall# L. Am., Sp # I don't know what to do. I'm between a rock and a hard place. #No se que hacer. Estoy entre la espada y la pared.

big bucks (a lot of money/dough) #el dineral#Untitled4145## L. Am., Sp; el platal ES, CR, Col; la pasta gansa (goose pasta, dough) Sp # She won big bucks in that contest. #Gano una pasta gansa en aquel concurso.


big daddy (boyfriend) #papazote #Untitled2718##Mex, DR, PR, G, Col; papucho Mex, ES, CR, Col # Oh, big daddy! How handsome you are. #Ay, papucho! Que guapo eres.

big deal# gran cosota#Untitled1613## Mex, C. Am; cosa grandototota (great big thing) Mex, ES, Nic, U, Arg # To me, the accident is a big deal.# Para mi, el asunto del accidente es una gran cosota,


big shot #el pez gordo #Untitled2935#fat fish# L. Am., Sp #That gentleman is a big shot in the government. #Ese seÒor es un pez gordo en el gobierno.

big shots (people in charge) #los jefazos, las jefazas#Untitled1942##Mex, Col, Sp; los amos del cotarro (the masters of the cotarro, the bank of a ravine or a shelter for vagrants) Sp # No changes depended on her, but rather on the big shots. #Ningun cambio dependia de ella, sino de los jefazos.


bike #la bici (short for bicicleta)#Untitled341## L. Am., Sp #They stole her bike at school.# Le robaron la bici en la escuela.

birdbrain (fool, idiot) #el/la cabeza de chorlito #Untitled455#head of golden plover, a small bird# L. Am., Sp # That guy is a birdbrain. How could he even think of doing something like that?# Este tipo es una cabeza de chorlito. Como se le puede ocurrir hacer algo asi?


bit by bit# a poquitos (used for poco a poco) #Untitled3096##Mex # You're telling me things bit by bit. Tell me, what happened? #Me dices a poquitos las cosas. Dime, que paso?

bitch# la puta #Untitled3228#prostitute# L. Am., Sp; la perra (female dog) Chicano, G, Col, Sp; la cabrona (female goat) Mex, Cuba, PR, C. Am., Bol, Ch, Sp; la maraca Ch; la zorra (female fox) Sp # Let's not speak to that bitch.# No le hablemos a esa cabrona.

to be a bitch (awful, tremendous, difficult) #estar perro(-a) #Untitled4146#to be dog# Mex, Cuba, G, ES, Col # This job is a bitch.# Este trabajo esta perro.

a bitch of a (god-awful) #de perros #Untitled2925#of dogs# Mex, ES, Sp # Today I'm in a bitch of a mood. #Hoy estoy de un humor de perros.

to bite off more than one can chew (get mixed up in something unnecessarily)# meterse en camisa de once varas #Untitled2318#to put oneself in a shirt of eleven rods# L. Am., Sp# The Abarcon family bought a very expensive house on the beach and a sports car. They have bitten off more than they can chew.# Los Abarcon compraron una casa carisima en la playa y un auto sport. Se han metido en camisa de once varas.

to bite one's tongue (avoid saying something) #morderse la lengua#Untitled2388## L. Am., Sp # I bit my tongue so as not to tell my father-in-law what I thought of him.# Me mordi la lengua para no decir a mi suegro to que pienso de el.

a bite to eat (midmorning snack) #el tentempie (tente en pie) #Untitled3805#keep you on your feet# Mex, DR, Col # Listen, let's stop working awhile. It's time for a bite to eat.# Oigan, paremos de trabajar un rato. Es hora de un tentempie.


blabbermouth (big mouth) #el hocicon, la hocicona #Untitled1835#big animal mouth# Mex, C. Am., Col, Ch; el/la lengua larga (long tongue) most of L. Am., Sp; el bocon, la bocona Mex, PR, ES, Nic, CR, Col, Arg; trompudo(-a) Mex, G, ES, CR, Col, U# You're a blabbermouth. Why did you tell my father that I'm going out with Monica?# Eres un bocon. Por que le dijiste a mi padre que salgo con Monica?

black (dark person) #prieto(-a), moreno(-a) #Untitled3173 #dark, can also be a nickname of endearment# Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, G, ES # Who's the black woman? #Quien es la mujer morena?

to be blah (unappetizing) #no tener chiste #Untitled4147#to not have any joke# Mex, ES, Col, Ec, Peru #That movie is blah.# Esa pelicula no tiene chiste.

blah, blah, blah (and so on and so forth) #que si patatin, que si patatan #Untitled3271 ##Mex, DR, PR, Sp; habla que te habla (talk that he or she talks to you) DR, PR, Ch, U; que si pito que si flauta (that if fife then flute) PR # Ramon was telling me about his trip to Chile, that he went to Santiago, that blah, blah, blah, and so on and so forth, but he didn't tell me anything about the accident. #Ramon me estuvo contando de su viaje a Chile, que visito Santiago, que si patatin que si patatan, pero no me dijo nada del accidente.


blasted (damn) #pinche#Untitled2966 ## Mex # The blasted machine isn't working. #La pinche maquina no funciona.

bless my soul! (expression of sympathy) #Ay, bendito! #Untitled265#Blessed one!# PR # Bless my soul! What are you going to do? #Ay, bendito! Que vas a hacer?

bless you! (said after a sneeze) #Salud! #Untitled3510 #Health!# L. Am., Sp

blessed #bendito(-a) #Untitled327#blessed, sometimes used ironically for the opposite# L. Am. #That blessed car! #Ese bendito coche!

blind (as a bat) (wearing glasses) #chicato(-a)#Untitled4148## Peru, U, Arg # Nelda is blind as a bat, and although she uses glasses, she sees very little.# Nelda es chicata, y a pesar de usar lentes, ve poco.


blockhead (fool, idiot) #el pedazo de alcornoque #Untitled2845#piece of cork oak# Mex, DR, G, Col, Ch, Sp # You're a blockhead. Listen to what your parents tell you. #Eres un pedazo de alcornoque. Escucha to que to dicen tus padres.


to blow it (mistake, to screw up)# cometer una burrada #Untitled853#to commit a drove of donkeys# L. Am., Sp; quemarse (to be burned, burn oneself) L. Am.; regarla (to spread it; original meaning was vulgar-la refers to mierda-but is a very common expression) Mex, ES, Nic, Col; embarrarla (to muddy it) ES, Nic, Cal, Peru, S. Cone# We blew it in not clearly explaining our position on this issue.# Cometimos una burrada al no explicar claramente nuestra posicion en este asunto.

to blow it constantly #no dar una #Untitled2527#to not give one# Mex, U, Sp #I'm constantly blowing it (I can't do anything right). #No doy una.

to blow off #correr #Untitled4149##L. Am., Sp; mandar per un tubo (to send through a pipe) Mex, ES, Col; largar U, Arg # I'm thinking of blowing this chick off.# Me parece que voy a largar a esta mina.


to blow the works (spend lavishly) #echar/tirar la casa per la ventana #Untitled1350#to throw the house out the window# L. Am., Sp # For Rocio's fifteenth birthday, DoÒa Ana blew the works. It was a real bash. #Para los quince anos de Rocio, doÒa Ana tiro la casa por la ventana. Fue una fiesta a todo dar.

blowup (noisy dispute among several people) #el bochinche#Untitled355## most of L. Am. (not Mex); la refriega (rescrubbing) Arg, U, Sp # There was a blowup in the street last night! #Se armo un bochinche en la calle anoche.

to be a blue blood (from an aristocratic family) #ser de sangre azul#Untitled3516## L. Am., Sp #Julio es de sangre azul pero no le gusta mencionarlo. # Julio is a blue blood, but he doesn't like to mention it.

blues (depression) #la depre #Untitled1200#short for depresion# L. Am., Sp # I've got the blues and I can't think about anything. #Tengo una depre que no me deja pensar en nada.

bogeyman# el hombre del saco #Untitled1840#man of the jacket# Ch, Sp# If you don't behave, the bogeyman will come get you. #Si no to portas bien, vendra el hombre del saco a buscarte.


to bone up on (inform oneself about something) #empaparse en algo #Untitled1376#to get wet in something, immerse oneself# most of L. Am. # I need to bone up on the matter. #Necesito empaparme en el asunto.


boob tube (TV) #la caja tonta #Untitled538#idiot box# Mex, Sp # I don't spend much time in front of the boob tube.# No Paso mucho tiempo frente a la caja tonta.

boobs (breasts, tits) #los chichis #Untitled4150## Mex, Col; los chicharrones Mex; los melones (melons) Cuba, Col, Sp

to boogie# menear el esqueleto #Untitled2269#to rock or move the skeleton# L. Am., Sp; mover el esqueleto (to move one's skeleton)# L. Am., Sp; menear el bote (to rock or move the boat) most of L. Am.; chanclear Chicano; dar un chanclazo (give a hit with a chancleta, sandal) Chicano; sacarse la polilla (to get the moths off) Mex # Are we going to boogie, Silvia? #Vamos a menear el esqueleto, Silvia?

bookworm #el raton de biblioteca #Untitled3354#library mouse# L. Am., Sp; la polilla de biblioteca (library moth) most of L. Am., Sp; el comelibros (book eater) most of L. Am., Sp # He's a bookworm (always in the library), and his room is full of books.# Es un raton de biblioteca, y su cuarto esta lleno de libros.


to be a boor (rude) #ser bestia #Untitled334#to be a beast, animal# L. Am. # Don't be a boor.# No seas bestia.


to booze it up (drink booze, alcohol) #chupar #Untitled781#to suck# L. Am., Sp (RVAR C.Am.: slightly vulgar); pistear Mex (mainly northern) # They invited me to go boozing it up (with them) Saturday. #Me invitaron a pistear el sabado.

bore (boring person) #el pelma (pelmazo) #Untitled2878#mass of undigested food# Sp # Don't be a bore.# No seas pelmazo/pelma.

to bore to death (to be a drag) #dar la paliza #Untitled2701#to give the beating# Sp # Maria always bores us to death talking about her trips.# Maria siempre nos da la paliza hablando de sus viajes.

to be bored stiff #aburrirse como una ostra #Untitled7 #to be bored as an oyster# Mex, DR, Ven, Peru, Ch, Arg, Sp; darse una clavada (to get hit by a nail) Arg # That party was a disaster. We were bored stiff. #Esta fiesta fue un desastre. Nos aburrimos coma una ostra.

to be born lucky #nacer con el pie derecho #Untitled2439#to be born with the right foot# Mex, ES, S. Cone; nacer de pie (to be born standing) DR, Ch, U, Sp # You were born lucky, Gabriela. You have a very happy life. #Naciste de pie, Gabriela. Tienes una vida muy feliz.

to be born under a lucky star (be easily accepted by people) #tener estrella #Untitled3724#to have a star# Mex, Sp # These kids were born under a lucky star. They have traveled all over the world.# Estos chicos tienen estrella. Han viajado par todo el mundo.


bosom buddies (pal) #los amigos (las amigas) del alma #Untitled133#friends of the soul# L. Am., Sp; amigotes(-tas) L. Am., Sp # All her bosom buddies were with Martina at her graduation.# Todos los amigos del alma estuvieron junto a Martina en su graduacion.

to be bosom buddies (very close friends) #ser uÒa y carne (to be fingernail and flesh) #Untitled3988#L. Am., Sp; comer en el mismo plato (to eat out of the same plate) Mex, G, ES, Ch; ser uÒa y mugre (to be fingernail and dirt) Mex, Col, Ch # Myriam and Luz are bosom buddies, and they always go around together. #Myriam y Luz son uÒa y carne, y siempre andan juntas.

bossy #mandon, mandona#Untitled2167## L. Am., Sp # My sister is very bossy.# Mi hermana es muy mandona.

he's (she's) bottling it all up. (said when one feels pain or sadness but covers it up) #La procesion va par dentro. #Untitled3187#The procession goes on the inside.# Mex, S. Cone, Sp # Everyone is trying to hide their pain; they're bottling it up.# Todos tratan de disimular su dolor; la procesion va por dentro.


bottoms up! #fondo blanco! #Untitled1534#white bottom [of glass]!# most of L. Am. # The best toast: Bottoms up! #El mejor brindis: Fondo blanco!

to be a brain (smart) #ser (un) coco #Untitled813#to be [a] coconut; feminine is also coco# L. Am. (not S. Cone); tener mucho coco (to have a lot of coconut) Sp # Marisa is a brain. #Marisa es bien coca (es un coca).

to be brainless (to be stupid) #no tener dos dedos de frente #Untitled2604#to not have two fingers' length of forehead# L. Am., Sp; tener la cabeza hueca (to have the head hollow) Mex, U, Arg, Sp; tener cerebro de mosquito (to have a gnat's brain) U, Arg, Sp# We don't expect logical reasoning from her; she's brainless. #No esperamos un razonamiento logico de ella; tiene cerebro de mosquito.

to brainwash someone# lavar el cerebro de alguien#Untitled4151## L. Am., Sp; comer el coco a alguien (to eat someone's coconut, meaning head) DR, PR, Sp# They brainwashed Paula and she joined that cult.# Le comieron el coco a Paula e ingreso en esa secta.

brat #el/la malcriado(-a) #Untitled4152##L. Am., Sp el tarambana Cuba, Ch, U, Sp; el/la bicho(-a) Sp#His brother hadn't changed a bit, he was still the same brat. #Su hermano no habia cambiado; seguia siendo el mismo tarambana.


to break out in a cold sweat (be fearful) #sudar frio #Untitled3634#to sweat cold# DR,CR, Col, U, Arg, Sp # The students broke out in a cold sweat because the principal called them to his office.# Los estudiantes sudaron frio porque el director los llamo a su oficina.

to break someone's heart (cause great pain) #partirle el alma a alguien #Untitled2769 #to break someone's soul# L. Am., Sp; arrancarle a alguien el alma (to tear out one's soul) Mex, ES, Sp; arrancarle a alguien la vida (to tear out one's life) Mex, ES# It broke my heart to see those children working.# Me arranco el alma ver a esos niÒos trabajando.

to break the ice# romper el hielo#Untitled3433 ## L. Am., Sp # To break the ice among the workshop participants, each person introduced himself or herself and spoke about his or her agency. #Para romper el hielo entre los participantes del taller, coda persona se presento y hablo de su agencia.

to break to pieces #hacer pedazos#Untitled1709## L. Am., Sp; hacer polvo (to make dust or powder) Mex, Cuba, G, ES; hacer migas (to make crumbs) Mex, ES, Sp; hacer tortilla Mex, U, Sp#The vase? They broke it to pieces. #el florero? Lo han hecho pedazos.

to break up (with someone) #romper (con alguien)#Untitled3432 ## L. Am., Sp abrirse (to open, also used for business or social relationships) S. Cone # Why did you break up with Felipe? Por que rompiste con Felipe?

to break up with laughter (to crack up with laughter)# partirse de la risa #Untitled2770 ##DR, PR, Sp #The movie was really funny; we broke up with laughter.# La pelicula era muy comica; nos partimos de la risa.


brewsky (beer) #la birria#Untitled344 ## Mex, PR, G, Nic; la cheve Mex, G, ES; la fria (cold one) Cuba, PR, G, Col; la caÒa (cane) Sp # Give me a beer.# Dame una birria.

bribe # la mordida #Untitled2389 #the bite# Mex, G, Nic, Pan; el chayote (vegetable with prickly skin) Mex; la coima Peru, S. Cone# Unfortunately here anything can be fixed with a bribe.# Lamentablemente aqui todo se arregla con la mordida

bridal shower #la despedida de soltera #Untitled1225#sending off of the single woman# L. Am., Sp #Saturday we'll have a bridal shower for Betania.# El sabado le haremos una despedida de soltera a Betania.


to bring it on oneself# buscarselo #Untitled448#to look for it oneself# L. Am., Sp# She's bringing it on herself going around with that idiot. #Ella se lo busca andando can ese idiota.

to bring out the champagne (brag about or rejoice in a triumph) #cantar victoria #Untitled584#to sing victory# L. Am., Sp# Let's not bring out the champagne yet. #No cantemos victoria todavia.

to bring up to date# on poner al corriente de #Untitled3046#to put to the running total of# L. Am., Sp # You always bring me up to date on what happens in this town. #tu siempre me pones al corriente de to que pasa en este pueblo.

broad (girl, woman)# la ruca#Untitled3443## L. Am. (not S. Cone) # Poor broad. No one wants to dance with her.# Pobre ruca. Nadie quiere bailar con ella.

to be broke#estar pelado(-a) #Untitled4153#to be peeled# PR, Cuba, DR, C. Am., Col, Sp; no tener ni papa(s) (to not have even potato[s]) Mex, ES; no tener un quinto (to not have a fifth) Mex, ES# I was left totally broke, waiting until the end of the month to be able to buy more food. #Me quede pelado, esperando a fin de mes para poder comprar mas comida.

brought up in a barn# criado(-a) a lo bruto #Untitled4154#raised in a brutish way# L. Am., Sp; criado(-a) a puro machete (raised by pure machete) Mex, ES #How rude that kid is. It looks like he was brought up in a barn.# Que mal educado ese chavo. Parece que fue criado a puro machete.


bruise (black and blue mark) #el batacazo#Untitled322## U, Arg, Sp # He got bruised (a black and blue mark). #Se dio un batacazo.


buck up! (it's not that bad.) #Animo! #Untitled4155#Spirit!# L. Am., Sp; No to azotes, que hay chayotes. (Don't flog yourself; there are chayotes, a kind of squash.) Mex, Col # You'll see that things will get better. Buck up! It's not that bad. #Ya veras que las cosas se van a mejorar. No te azotes, que hay chayotes.

to buckle down to study (to cram) #clavarse #Untitled805#to be nailed# Mex, Col # Luis buckled down to study day and night and for that reason he was able to graduate.# Luis se clavaba estudiando dia y noche y por eso pudo graduarse.

bucks (dough) #los dolores #Untitled1268#pains, used for dolares# Cuba, DR, ES; los mangos (mangos) U, Arg# It's tough to earn the bucks. #Esta duro ganarse los dolores.


to bug (bother) #joder#Untitled1951## L. Am., Sp (RVAR vulgar in some places but inoffensive in others); fregar (to scrub, scour, rub [the wrong way]) most of L. Am.; mosquear (to be like a fly) Ch, Sp # He loves to bug his sister.# Le encanta fregar a su hermana.

to be bugged (bothered) #picarle a alguien una mosca #Untitled2945#to have a fly biting or stinging someone# L. Am., Sp # What's got you bugged (upset)? #Que mosca to ha (habra) picado?

to build castles in the air #hacer castillos en el aire#Untitled1675# # Mex, S. Cone, Sp # He loves to build castles in the air and dream of impossible things.# Le encanta hacer castillos en el aire y soÒar con cosas imposibles.


bulldog (angry man) #el gallo #Untitled1582#rooster# Mex, C. Am., Sp # He became a bulldog when they told him to turn down the volume on his boom box.# Se puso como un gallo cuando le dijeron que bajara el volumen de su aparato de musica.


to be bummed out (depressed) #achicopalarse #Untitled30##Mex, ES, Nic; aguitarse Mex, C. Am.; estar bajoneado(-a) S. Cone # Hang in there! Don't let yourself get bummed out, pal. #Animo! No te achicopales, 'mano.

bummer (bad feeling) #el bajon #Untitled296#big down# Mex, DR, PR, ES, S. Cone, Sp # What a bummer to have to work all weekend. #Que bajon tener que trabajar todo el fin de semana.


bunch (crowd) #la tracalada #Untitled3917##Mex, ES, Ch, Arg; la bola (ball) Mex, ES; el bonche (from English) Mex, PR # What a bunch of idiots! #Que tracalada de tontos!


to be a bundle of nerves (very upset because of problems or danger) #estar con (tener) el alma en un hilo #Untitled3709#to be with [have] the soul on a thread# L. Am. # What's wrong, Veronica? -I'm a bundle of nerves. My son is in the hospital. #Que pasa, Veronica? -Estoy con el alma en un hilo. Mi hijo esto en el hospital

to burn one's bridges# quemar las naves #Untitled3315 #to burn one's ships# L. Am., Sp # I'm not going to burn my bridges with the company. I'll speak with the manager again. #No voy a quemar mis naves con la compaÒia. Hablare nuevamente con el gerente.

to burn out #agotarse #Untitled4156#to exhaust onself# L. Am., Sp; quemarse (to be burned) Sp# The runner burned out before reaching the finish line.# El corrector se quemo antes de llegar a la meta.

to burn the midnight oil #quemarse las pestaÒas (cejas) #Untitled3318#to burn one's eyelashes [eyebrows]# L. Am., Sp # I burned the midnight oil to pass the history exam.# Me queme las pestanas para pasar el examen de historia.

to bury the hatchet #hacer las paces #Untitled1701#to make peace# L. Am., Sp # I want to bury the hatchet now. We can't go on like this. #Tengo ganas de hacer las paces ahora. No podemos continuer asi.

to bust one's butt (for someone) (do the impossible)# perder el culo #Untitled2907#to lose one's ass, vulgar# Sp # Jaime busted his butt for that girl and gave up (left) his studies. #Jaime perdio el culo por esa chica y dejo los estudios.

busty gal (with a large breast) #la pechocha #Untitled2843#big-breasted# Mex, ES, Col; la pechugona (from pechuga, the breast of a fowl) Mex, DR, Col, Ch, Sp; la tetona, tetuda (vulgar) DR, PR, S. Cone, Sp# He was in love with a busty gal from Cali. #Estaba enamorado de una pechugona de Cali.


busybody #el/la metido(-a) #Untitled2325 #from entrometido# Mex, DR, PR, C. Am., Col, U, Arg; el metelon, la metelona Mex# Please, don't be a busybody. I don't need your opinion. #Por favor, no seas metida. No necesito tu opinion.

to butt in (to someone's conversation) #meter la cuchara #Untitled2301#to put in the spoon# L. Am., Sp; meter baza (to play a card trick) Ch, Sp # And who are you to butt in? #y quien es usted para meter la cuchara?


to button one's lip #poner un ziper (cierre) en la boca #Untitled3067 #to put a zipper on one's mouth# Mex, ES # Button your lip. #Ponte un ziper en la boca.


by a hair #por poco #Untitled3145#by little# L. Am., Sp; por un pelo (by a hair) DR, PR, S. Cone, Sp # We avoided an accident by a hair. #Evitamos un accidente por un pelo.

by a stroke of luck# de carambola #Untitled609#by a fluke, billiard term# DR, ES, Nic, Ch, U; de chepa DR, PR, CR, Col; de chiripa (by a fluke, billiard term) DR, G, ES, Ven, U, Arg# By a stroke of luck we found Alicia in the airport before she left. #De carambola encontramos a Alicia en el aeropuerto antes de que saliera.

by fits and starts (haltingly) #a tropezones #Untitled3967#with trips, falling down# Mex, DR, U, Sp #Miguelito reads by fits and starts. #Miguelito lee a tropezones.


by the seat of one's pants #a la buena de Dios #Untitled414#at the good [will] of God# DR, ES, Nic, CR, S. Cone, Sp # I'm going to Chile by the seat of my pants. # Voy a viajar a Chile a la buena de Dios.

by the truckload# a montones #Untitled2386#in heaps# Mex, DR, PR, Ch, Sp; para dar y regalar (to give and give as a present) Mex, Ch, U, Sp; para dar y tomar (to give and take) Mex, Sp#Thanks, but I don't want any more. I ate cake by the truckload. #Gracias, pero ya no quiero mas. Comi torta por montones

bye.# chau. #Untitled687#from the Italian "ciao"# S. Cone; Venga. (way of ending a conversation on the phone; also, often used instead of vale) Sp # See you tonight. Bye-bye. #Nos vemos esta noche. Chau, chau.



to call the shots #llevar la batuta #Untitled2048#to carry the baton# L. Am., Sp; llevar la voz cantante (to carry the melody) #L. Am., Sp# In that family, Alfonso calls the shots.# En esa familia, Alfonso lleva la batuta.

to be a can of worms (a messy situation, mess) #estar mas liado(-a) que la pata de un romano (de una momia) #Untitled2217#to be more entangled than the foot of a Roman [of a mummy]# Sp # My life is a real can of worms. #Mi vida esta mas liada que la pata de un romano.


carefree as the wind (without preparation)# a la buena de Dios (at the good [will] of God)#Untitled414# DR, ES, Nic, CR, S. Cone, Sp #Those folks are really poor; they live carefree as the wind (without plans or money).# Esos son pobres; viven a la buena de Dios (sin planes ni dinero).

cash: in (hard)# cash en efectivo#Untitled4156##L. Am., Sp; al contado L. Am., Sp; con dinero contante y sonante L. Am.# She had to buy the car with hard cash. They didn't accept checks. #Tuvo que pagar el coche en efectivo. No aceptaban cheques.


to catch (a husband, etc.) #pescar #Untitled2929#to fish# L. Am., Sp # Rosalia has been coming to get-togethers for some time now just in order to catch a husband.# Hace tiempo que Rosalia asiste a las reuniones solo para pescar un marido.

to catch (in the act)# agarrar #Untitled4157#to catch, grab# L. Am.; pillar (to plunder) Mex, Col, Ch, Sp#They caught a shoplifter in the supermarket. #En el super pillaron a un ratero.

to catch a cold #resfriarse#Untitled4158## L. Am., Sp; pescarse un resfriado (also, resfrio; slang) (to fish for a cold) Mex, G, Ch, Sp # Frederico caught a terrible cold.# Frederico se pesco un resfrio terrible.

to catch the drift #cachar #Untitled472#to catch# most of L. Am. (RVAR Peru, Ch vulgar: also, to have sex) #Did you catch the drift? #Cachaste?

catchy (sticking in your mind) #pegajoso(-a) #Untitled2859#sticky# Mex, Col, Ch # It's a catchy song. #Es una cancion pegajosa.

to be catchy #tener pegue#Untitled4159## Mex, ES, Col# That music is catchy. #Esa musica tiene pegue.


caught in the act# con las manos en la masa #Untitled2178#with one's hands in the dough# L. Am., Sp #They caught him in the act. #Lo agarraron con las manos en la masa


to cave in (to give in) #aflojar #Untitled48#to loosen up# L. Am., Sp # Don't cave in; hang tough.# No aflojes; dale duro.

a certain someone (used jokingly to avoid naming a person) #ciertas hierbas #Untitled795#certain herbs# Col # A certain someone didn't clean up his (her) room. #Ciertas hierbas no limpio su cuarto.

chance #la chanza #Untitled677#from the English "chance"# Chicano, Mex, Col# Give me a chance. I want to explain it to you.# Dame chanza. Quiero explicartelo.


to change one's mindset (way of thinking) #cambiar el chip #Untitled563#to change one's [computer] chip# Mex, Sp # You have to change your mindset if you want to succeed.# Ustedes tienen que cambiar el chip si quieren tener exito.

to channel-surf (change the channel) #hacer zapping #Untitled1732#to do zapping# Peru, Ch, Arg, Sp #I don't like watching television with Gustavo because he's always channel-surfing. #No me gusta mirar television con Gustavo porque hace zapping constantemente.

to be a character (be amusing) #ser todo un caracter#Untitled4160## L. Am., Sp; ser un plato (to be a dish) S. Cone # That guy is a real character.# Ese tipo es un plato.

charmer (people person) #el/la entrador(-a) #Untitled1423#enterer# CR, ES, Col, S. Cone # Luis didn't have any problems at his new school. He's a real charmer, and he made friends right away.# Luis no tuvo problemas en la nueva escuela. Es muy entrador y en seguida hizo amigos.

chat (gab session) #la chachara #Untitled654##Mex, DR, Sp # I got here (there) late because in the office we had a very entertaining chat.# Llegue tarde porque en la oficina teniamos una chachara muy entretenida.

to chat on the Internet# chatear#Untitled685## parts of L. Am., Sp # Every Saturday at noon, I chat with my sister on the Internet. #Todos los sabados a mediodia chateo con mi hermana.

chat room #el cuarto de discusion#Untitled1031## L. Am., Sp; el chat Mex # If you're interested in that topic, you should go in the chat room. #Si to interesa ese tema, debes entrar en el cuarto de discusion.

to chatter away# cotorrear#Untitled991## Mex, DR, PR, G, Col, U, Arg, Sp; hablar como un papagayo (un perico, una cotorra) (to talk like a parrot) DR, PR, Sp # Miguelito is very small but he chatters aways all day.# Miguelito es muy pequeÒo pero habla como un papagayo todo el dia.


cheap shot #la mala pasada#Untitled2125## L. Am., Sp; la trastada L. Am., Sp la canallada most of L. Am.; la cabronada Mex, PR, G, Cal, Sp# What a cheap shot! #Que mala pasada!


cheat (someone who whispers the answer to someone taking a test)# el soplon, la soplona #Untitled4161##L. Am., Sp # She was expelled for cheating (being a cheat). #Fue expulsada por soplona.

to cheat# hacer trampas#Untitled3620## L. Am., Sp; soplar (to blow [whisper the answer to someone taking a test]) L. Am., Sp # Lolita cheated by whispering the answer to her boyfriend on the history test. #Lolita le soplo la respuesta a su novio en el examen de historia.

to cheat on someone (a significant other) #ponerle los cuernos a alguien #Untitled3072#to put the horns on someone# L. Am., Sp; hacerle a alguien de chivo los tamales (to make tamales for someone out of kid goat meat) Mex, ES; ponerle los cachos a alguien (to put the horns on someone) C. Am., Col, Ec # That man is cheating on his wife. #Ese seÒor le pone los cuernos a su esposa.

to check # chequear, chequar #Untitled704# slang, from English# Mex, DR, PR, C. Am., Ven, Ch, Sp # Vamos a chequear el horario.# Let's check the schedule.


cheers! #salud! #Untitled3510 #health!# L. Am., Sp; Chin chin! (imitating the sound of glass clinking) parts of L. Am., Sp # Cheers and may you be very happy! #Chin chin y que seas muy feliz!


to chew out (bawl out) #echar una bronca#Untitled1342## parts of L. Am., Sp; poner a alguien como un trapo (viejo) (to make someone like a rag [like an old rag]) Mex, PR, U, Arg, Sp; poner como camote a alguien (to make someone like a sweet potato) Mex, ES; poner a alguien como palo de gallinero (to make someone [end up] like a perch in a chicken coop, i.e., covered with droppings) Mex, U, Ch; dar una achurada (to eviscerate) Arg# Esteban's father chewed him out when he found out he crashed the car.# El padre de Esteban lo puso como un trapo cuando supo que choco el coche.


chic (elegant) #chic#Untitled4162## L. Am., Sp; catrin Mex, C. Am.; paquete(-a) U, Arg (RVAR Col: ser un paquete [to be a package]) # How chic you look! #Que catrin to ves!

chick (girl) #la chavala#Untitled688# # Mex, C. Am., Sp; la jeva Cuba, DR, PR, Nic, Ven, Ec; la guial, la guialcita Pan; la pava (turkey hen) Col, Ven; el cuero (skin, leather) ES, Col, Ec, Peru, Ch# Who's that chick? -Her name is Laura. #Quien es esa mina? -Se llama Laura. 

chicken (coward) #el gallina #Untitled1580#hen# Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, G, Nic, Col, Sp # Valentin is very aggressive with women, but with men he acts like a chicken.# Valentin con las mujeres es muy agresivo, pero con los hombres se porta como un gallina.



to be child's play (to be a piece of cake) #ser pan comido #Untitled2707#to be eaten bread# Mex, DR, PR, S. Cone, Sp; ser coser y cantar (to be sew and sing) Sp # For you who knows so much, this job will be child's play. #Para ti que sabes tanto, este trabajo sera pan comido

chill out. (take it easy) #Tranquilo(-a). #Untitled3939#Tranquil.# Mex, DR, Col, Ven, S. Cone, Sp; No hay bronca. (There's no dispute.) Mex, ES; No hay tos. (There's no cough.) Mex, ES; Suave. (Smooth, soft.) DR, Ch, Ven; Tranqui. Sp # Chill out. Let's talk about something else.# No hay bronca. Hablemos de otra cosa.

to chill out #bajar el volumen #Untitled288#to lower the volume# Mex, Col # Chill out, darling. Let's find (lit., look for) a solution to the problem. #Baja el volumen, querida. Busquemos una solution al problema.


to chip in (pool money for a common cause) #prestar pa' la orquesta #Untitled3172 #to loan for the orchestra# Mex, Col; hater una vaquita (to make a little cow) Mex; hacer una chancha (to make a pig) Peru; hacer una vaca (echar la vaca) (to make a cow [throw the cow]) G, Nic, Ven, S. Cone # My cousin needs money to pay his mortgage. Let's all chip in. #Mi primo necesita dinero para pagar la hipoteca. Vamos a prestar pa' la orquesta.

chip off the old block (very similar) #cortado(-a) por la misma tijera #Untitled967#cut by the same scissors# Mex, DR, PR, ES, S. Cone, Sp; cortado(-a) por (con) el mismo patron (cut by [with] the same pattern) Mex, Sp; ser de la misma madera (to be of the same wood) Mex # Obviously he's from the family; he's a chip off the old block.# Sin duda es de la familiar esto cortado con el mismo patron.

a chip off the old block. #De tal palo, tal astilla. #Untitled3648#From such a tree or stick, such a splinter.# L. Am., Sp; Hijo de tigre sale rayado. (The tiger's son turns out with stripes.) Mex, CR, S. Cone; Lo que se hereda no se roba (hurta). (What is inherited is not robbed.) S. Cone, Sp # Mario and his dad look a lot alike, don't they? He's a chip off the old block.# Mario y su papa se parecen mucho, no? De tal palo, tal astilla.

chow (food) #el papeo #Untitled2721#from papa, potato# Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, Peru, Sp; la jama Cuba, CR, PR, Ec, Peru; la papa (potato) Mex, Cuba, DR, Col, Ch # It's chow time. What do you want to eat? #Es la hora del papeo. Que quieren comer?

to chow down (eat) #papear #Untitled2719#to potato# Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, C. Am., Ven, Peru, Sp; jamar Cuba, CR, Ec; manyar (from Italian) Peru, S. Cone # It's time to go chow down. #Ya es hora de ir a papear

chump (fool, idiot) #el gil (la gila, el gilberto) #Untitled1594##Mex, Cuba, Col, Ec, Peru, S. Cone # Don't act like a chump.# No te hagas el gil.


to clean out (take everything, one's own and others') #alzarse con el santo y la limosna #Untitled127#to make off with the saint and the alms# DR, PR CR # Cristian left yesterday and cleaned us all out.# Cristion se nos fue ayer y se alzo con el santo y la limosna.


clever (smart) like a fox (sly)# zorro(-a) #Untitled4134 #fox# L. Am., Sp # Agustina is smart as a fox and has been fooling her parents for many years. #Agustina es muy zorra y ha enganado a sus padres por muchos aÒos.

to click (computer) #hacer clic#Untitled1677## L. Am., Sp; cliquear parts of L. Am. # Click on the letter A.# Haz clic en la letra A.

to cling to someone's skirts #agarrarse a los faldones de alguien#Untitled63 ## Mex, Sp # He always clings to his mother's skirts. This kid will never be successful.# Siempre se agarra a los faldones de su madre. Este chico nunca prosperara.

clingy (clinging to the skirts of someone) #pegado(-a) a las faldas (glued to the skirts) #Untitled2858##Sp # He's a submissive man, always clinging to his wife's skirt.# Es un hombre sumiso, siempre pegado a las faldas de su mujer


closed-minded #cerrado(-a) #Untitled649#closed# L. Am., Sp # I don't like to talk to Felipe about those topics because he's very closed-minded and we end up not speaking to each other # No me gusta hablar de esos temas con Felipe porque es muy cerrado y terminamos peleados.


to clown around (to joke around)# hacer payasadas#Untitled4163## L. Am., Sp # My friend at work is always clowning around.# Mi compaÒero en el trabajo siempre anda haciendo payasadas.

clowning around (silly thing or action, a joke) #la payasada #Untitled2840#clown action# L. Am., Sp # The talk with the professor was just clowning around (a joke).# La charla con el profesor fue una payasada.

clueless, naive (dopey or easily taken advantage of) #caido(-a) del nido #Untitled536#fallen out of the nest# L. Am.; caido(-a) de la cuna (fallen from the cradle) U, Arg # Do you think I was born yesterday, and that I'll believe your lies? #Piensas que soy una caida de la cuna, para creer tus mentiras?

to clutch at straws# agarrarse a un clavo ardiendo #Untitled64#to cling to a burning nail# L. Am., Sp # They're so desperate from hunger that they're clutching at straws. They do whatever you ask them.# Estan tan desesperados por el hambre que se agarran a un clavo ardiendo. Hacen lo que les pidas.


coffin nail (cigarette) #pitillo #Untitled2991##Ch, U, Arg, Sp # I smoke only two coffin nails a day. #Fumo solo dos pitillos por dia.

coke (cocaine) #la coca #Untitled4164##L. Am., Sp; la nieve L. Am., Sp; el polvo blanco (polvo de angel) (white powder [angel dust]) parts of L. Am., Sp; el perico L. Am. # She sold them two grams of coke. #Les vendio dos gramos de polvo blanco.

cold as a witch's tit #como nalga de lavandera #Untitled881#like a washerwoman's buttock# Nic #After many falls in the snow, Patricia felt cold as a witch's tit. #Despues de muchas caidas en la nieve, Patricia se sentia como nalga de lavandera.

to come at a good time (come in handy) #caer (venir) de perillas #Untitled4165#to fall or come with little pears# S. Cone, Sp # That book came to me at a very good time.# Ese libro me vino de perillas.

to come back to haunt someone (bring serious consequences; used for things)# traer cola (coleta) #Untitled3920#to bring a tail [pigtail]# Mex, U, Arg, Sp # I don't want to intervene in this discussion because I know it will come back to haunt me.# No quiero intervenir en esta discusion porque se que traera cola.


to come down in the world (in life) #venir a menos #Untitled4036#to come to less# L. Am., Sp; ir(se) abajo (to go down) Cuba, G, Col# That man was rich but now he's come down in the world. #Ese hombre era rico pero ahora esta venido a menos.

come down to earth. (said to someone who is too proud or too idealistic) #Pon los pies sobre la tierra. #Untitled3033#Put your feet on the ground.# Mex, DR, ES, S. Cone, Sp # Come down to earth, Antonia; you have to work if you want to travel.# Pon los pies sobre la tierra, Antonia; tienes que trabajar si quieres viajar

come hell or high water #contra viento y marea #Untitled933#against wind and tides# L. Am., Sp; aunque truene y relampaguee (even if it thunders and lightnings) Mex, ES, S. Cone # Come hell or high water water, we're going to travel. #Aunque truene y relampaguee, vamos a viajar.


to come out on top (come out well, despite adversity) #flotar como el corcho en el agua #Untitled1528#to float like cork in water# Sp # He sacrificed his personal life to get ahead and now he's come out on top.# Sacrifico su vida personal para triunfar y ahora flota como el corcho en el agua.

to come out swinging (show anger or vehemence in a conversation) #salir pitando #Untitled3501#to leave honking the horn or blowing a whistle# Mex, Sp # Don't worry; I'm not going to come out swinging like I did before.# No to preocupes; no voy a salir pitando como antes.

to come out well [badly] #quedar bien [mal] parado(-a) #Untitled3288#to end up standing well [badly]# L. Am., Sp; salir bien [mal] parado (-a) (to come out standing well [badly]) L. Am., Sp # The union members came out badly after the strike. #Los sindicalistas salieron mal parados despues de la huelga.

to come (sexually, vulgar) #acabar #Untitled12#to finish# Mex, C. Am., S. Cone; venir(se) Mex, Cuba, DR, PR; correrse (vulgar) Sp # You inspired me, dear. I came three times.# Me inspiraste, chica. Acabe tres veces.


he (she) comes by it naturally. #Lo que se hereda no se roba (hurta). #Untitled4166#What is inherited is not robbed, meaning that this person is just like his or her father, mother, grandfather, etc.# S. Cone, Sp # Don't criticize me, mom, for what I do. I come by it naturally. #No me critiques, mama, por lo que hago. Lo que se hereda no se roba.


con artist #el/la estafador(a)#Untitled4167# L. Am., Sp; el/la embustero(-a) L. Am., Sp; el/la timador(a) Mex, Ch, Sp; el/la tracalero(-a) Mex; el/la paquetero(-a) Cuba, PR, Col# We all thought she was a good person, and it turned out she was a con artist.# Todos creimos que era una buena persona, y resulto ser una estafadora.


connection (social, political) #la palanca #Untitled2697#bar, lever# Mex, Cuba, ES, Nic, CR, Col, Ven, Peru, U, Arg; el conecte Mex, ES, Nic; el enchufe (plug) DR, PR, Col, Sp; la curia (prop, wedge) S. Cone; el acomodo U, Arg # I have a connection in the government. I'll call him now.# Tengo un conecte en el gobierno. Ahorita lo llamo.

connections (social, political; pull) #la muÒeca (doll, wrist) Peru, S. Cone #Untitled2426#They have connections in the government. #Tienen buena muÒeca en el gobierno.

to be conspicuous by its absence #brillar por su ausencia #Untitled398#to shine by its absence# L. Am., Sp # We were all waiting for an explanation from the manager, but he was conspicuous by his absence, and we left the meeting feeling cheated. #Todos esperabamos las explicaciones del gerente, pero este brillo por su ausencia, y salimos de la reunion muy defraudados.

to cook someone's goose (often by saying bad things to others behind his or her back) #serrucharle el piso a alguien #Untitled3559#to saw off the floor under someone# Hond, Nic, CR, Col, Ec, Peru, S. Cone # Mireya cooked my goose with the boss by telling him lies when I went on vacation. #Mireya me serrucho el piso con mi jefe cuando fui de vacaciones.

cool (great) #chido(-a) #Untitled715#perhaps from chingon or from chic# Chicano, Mex, ES; mamey (a fruit) Mex, Cuba, Col; a todo dar (at all giving) Mex, ES; padrote Mex; bacan Cuba, Col, Ec, Peru, S. Cone# You saw Antonio Banderas? Cool! #Viste a Antonio Banderas? Bacan!

to be cool ("with it") #estar de onda #Untitled2658##Mex, ES, Col, U, Arg; ser cul Mex, DR; ser buena nota (to be good note) CR, Ven; ser guay (same in the feminine as in the masculine; also, guay del Paraguay and it de guay, to act cool) Sp # That dance is very cool. #Ese baile esta muy de onda.

cool as a cucumber (not worried) #fresco(-a) #Untitled1548#fresh# Mex, Col, Ch, Sp # She has a test tomorrow, but she's cool as a cucumber.# Tiene un examen maÒana, pero esta tan fresco.


cops (police)# los perros #Untitled2926#dogs# Chicano, Mex, PR, ES, Col; la tira (from tirana) Mex, G; los tombos CR, Col, Ven, Ec, Peru; los pacos Ven, Ec, Bol, Ch; la pasma Sp#When I was coming home, the cops followed me. #Cuando venia para la casa, me siguieron los perros.

corny (overly sweet, sentimental, or cute [language, dress, etc.]) #cursi#Untitled1062## L. Am., Sp #Divine treasure of my soul and heart, do you want to go out for dinner? -Please don't be so corny.# Tesoro divino de mi alma y corazon, quieres ir a cenar? -Por favor, no seas tan cursi.

to cost a fortune# costar una fortuna#Untitled4168## L. Am., Sp; costar mas que un hijo tonto (to cost more than a foolish son) Mex, U, Sp (RVAR Arg: bobo); costar un paston (augmentative of pasta, meaning money) Sp # This motorcycle cost me a fortune. #Esta moto me costo un paston.

to cost an arm and a leg #costar un ojo de la cara #Untitled987#to cost an eye of the face# L. Am., Sp; costar un huevo (y la mitad de otro) (to cost an egg, meaning testicle [and a half]; vulgar) L. Am., Sp # You can't buy that coat. Its pretty, but it costs an arm and a leg.# No puedes comprar ese abrigo. Es muy bonito, pero cuesta un ojo de la cara.

to count (someone) in# apuntarse#Untitled192# # most of L. Am., Sp #Count us in. #Nos apuntamos.

coup de grace (fatal blow) #el tiro de gracia #Untitled3843#gunshot of pity# L. Am., Sp# They gave him the coup de grace when they insulted his family.# Le dieron el tiro de gracia al insultar a su familia.

cow (fat person) #la ballena #Untitled302#whale# Mex, G, ES, Col; la foca (vaca) (seal [cow]) U, Arg, Sp # Silvia is a total cow, but she has no interest in going on a diet. #Silvia esta hecha una foca, pero no le interesa hacer dieta.

crab (having a hostile, crabby appearance) #el/la cara de perro #Untitled597#dog face# Mex, PR, Sp # I didn't dare talk to the police officer because he looked like a real crab. #No me atrevi a hablarle al policia porque tenia una cara de perro terrible.

to crack up with laughter (to break up with laughter) #reventar de risa #Untitled3410 ##DR, U, Sp # We cracked up with laughter hearing Tito's ridiculous remarks. #Reventamos de risa escuchando los comentarios ridiculos de Tito


cradle robber (someone who goes out with someone much younger) #el asaltacunas #Untitled234#cradle assaulter# Mex, Sp # Rolando was very much in love with Silvia, although his friends said he was a cradle robber.# Rolando estaba muy enamorado de Silvia, aunque sus amigos le decian asaltacunas.

to cram (study hard)# clavarse #Untitled805#to be nailed# Mex, Col; hincar los codos (to dig in one's elbows) Mex, Sp; darse un quemon (to burn oneself) Mex; embotellarse (to bottle) DR, PR, Col; empollar Sp; romperse los codos (to break one's elbows) Sp; hacer codos (to make elbows) Sp # If you really want to learn Russian, you have to cram. #Si realmente quieres aprender ruso, hay que hacer codos.


crap (something of poor quality or someone not trustworthy) #la caca de la vaca #Untitled468#cow dung, vulgar# Sp #About buying another car, what crap! And let's not talk about it any more. #Sobre la compra de otro coche, caca de la vaca! Y no hablemos mas de eso.

crappy (vulgar) #de mierda #Untitled2333#of shit# L. Am., Sp # How can she survive with that crappy pension? #Como se puede mantener con esa pension de mierda?

to be crappy (worthless, vulgar)# ser pura mierda (ser una mierda) #Untitled3218#to be pure shit [to be shitty]# Mex, DR, PR, ES, Ch, Sp # What they did is crappy.# Lo que hicieron es pura mierda.

to crash (sleep, to hit the sack) #caer muerto(-a) de sueÒo #Untitled4169#to fall dead tired# L. Am., Sp; hacer la rosca (to make the doughnut, i.e., rolled up like a doughnut, meaning to sleep anywhere although it may not be comfortable) Sp # We were exhausted and we curled up and slept on the path to the mountains.# Estabamos agotados e hicimos una rosca en el sendero a las montaÒas.


to be crazy about (love) #estar loco(-a) por #Untitled4170##L. Am., Sp; chiflar Mex, Sp # I'm crazy about dancing. #Me chifla bailar.

crazy to the nth degree (completely mad) #loco de remate #Untitled4171#terminally# L. Am., Sp# He is crazy to the nth degree. #Es loco de remate.

the cream of the crop# la flor y nata #Untitled1525#flower and cream# L. Am., Sp # The cream of the crop was at that reception. #En esa recepcion estaba la flor y nata de la sociedad.


creep (scoundrel) #el/la canalla #Untitled570#from canine, dog# L. Am., Sp; el/la descarado(-a) (faceless one) L. Am., Sp # He acted like a total creep. What a loser! #Se comporto coma un canalla. Que sinverguenza!


crib sheet #el acordeon #Untitled38#accordion [because it's folded]# Mex, Cuba, G, U; la chuleta (chop, cut of meat) Sp # He took a crib sheet to math class. #Llevo un acordeon a la close de matematicas.


crock (baloney) #el rollo #Untitled3428#roll# Mex, C. Am., Col, Ven, Peru, Ch, Sp# Stop giving me such a crock.# Dejate de tanto rollo.

crooked #chueco(-a)#Untitled774## Mex, DR, ES, Col, Ch #They play crooked. #Juegan chueco.

to cross the line (to go too far) #pasarse de la raya #Untitled2802#to go over the line# Mex, DR, PR, ES, S. Cone, Sp # Jacinto threw them out of her house because they crossed the line.# Jacinto los echo de su casa porque se pasaron de la raya.

to cross your fingers (hope for the best) #cruzar los dedos #Untitled4172##L. Am; hacer changuitos (to make little monkeys) Mex # Let's cross our fingers and hope it works.# Hay que cruzar los dedos y esperar que funcione.


to cry a sea (of tears), cry buckets #llorar a mares#Untitled2064## Mex, ES, S. Cone, Sp # Every time I say good-bye to my family at the airport, I cry buckets.# Cada vez que me despido de mi familia en el aeropuerto, lloro a mares.

to cry crocodile tears (feign sadness) #llorar lagrimas de cocodrilo#Untitled2066## L. Am., Sp # Stop crying crocodile (fake) tears. #Deja de llorar lagrimas de cocodrilo.

to cry like a baby #llorar a moco tendido (to cry with a lot of mucus)#Untitled2065# L Am., Sp # Silvia and her mother met after many years; they talked and cried like babies until they had recovered emotionally. #Silvia y su madre se encontraron despues de muchos aÒos; hablaron y lloraron a moco tendido, hasta deshogarse.

crybaby (whiner, complainer) #lloron, llorona#Untitled2067## L. Am., Sp; chillon, chillona Chicano, Mex, G, ES, Col, Sp # My cousin is a crybaby (whiner). He's never happy.# Mi primo es un lloron. Nunca esta contento.



to cut (classes) #faltar a clase #Untitled4173##L. Am., Sp; cortar (clases) Mex, PR; hacer campana (to make bell) Sp hacer novillos Mex., Sp; irse de pinta Mex # Since you cut class, now you don't have the class notes from that day. #Como que hiciste campana, ahora no tienes los apuntes de close de aquel dia.

to cut a fine figure (look good physically) #estar hecho(-a) un figurin #Untitled1803#to be made a figurine# DR, U, Arg, Sp # The bride cut a fine figure. #La novia estaba hecha un figurin.


cut from the same cloth (very similar) #cortado (-a) por la misma tijera #Untitled966#cut by the same scissors# Mex, DR, PR, ES, S. Cone, Sp; cortado(-a) por (con) el mismo patron (cut by [with] the same pattern) Mex, Sp # You really notice that they're relatives. They look the same. #Realmente se nota que son familiares. Estan cortados por la misma tijera.

cut it out. #Basta ya. #Untitled4174#That's enough already.# L. Am., Sp; Cortala. (Cut it.) S. Cone # Cut it out. Nobody wants to hear any more from you. #Cortala. Nadie quiere escucharte mas.

to cut off (interrupt a conversation or other thing) #cortar el hilo #Untitled972#to cut the thread# Mex, DR, S. Cone # Don't cut me off because I'll forget (lose) the story. Its very complicated. #No me cortes el hilo porque me pierdo la historia. Es muy complicada.

to cut off at the pass (get ahead of) #madrugar #Untitled2105#to get up early# L. Am., Sp; hacerle la cama a alguien (to make the bed for someone) S. Cone # If you don't cut that man off at the pass, he's going to cut you off.# Si no madrugas a ese seÒor, el te madruga a ti.

to cut someone down to size (in a sharp reply) #dar un corton a alguien#Untitled1122## Mex#Julio cut him down to size in an ugly way. #Julio le dio un corton muy feo.

cut the crap. (Stop with your foolishness/trickery.) #Deja de joder. #Untitled4175#Stop screwing around.; slightly vulgar# L. Am., Sp; Deja de comer mierda. (Stop eating shit.; vulgar) Mex, DR, Col

to cut the jive #cortar el rollo #Untitled973#to cut the roll# Mex, Sp # Cut the jive and pay me what you owe me. #Corta el rollo y pagame lo que me debes.


to cut to the chase (to get to the point) #ir al grano #Untitled1889#to go to the grain# L. Am., Sp; dejarse de cuentos (historias) (to leave off with stories) #L. Am., Sp # Cut to the chase.# Dejate de cuentos.

cute #mono(-a) #Untitled2381#monkey# L. Am., Sp; chulo(- a) Florida, Mex, DR, PR, G, Sp # I adore Sandra's dress. It's super cute! #Me encanta el vestido de Sandra. Esta super chulo!

to be cute (as a button) #estar para comerselo #Untitled2731#to be as if to eat# Florida, Mex, Cuba, DR, ES, U, Arg, Sp # That child is cute as a button. #Ese niÒo es para comerselo.

to be a cutie (pretty, sweet; often used by women to describe children) #ser una monada #Untitled2378#to be a monkey face# Mex, S. Cone, Sp# These children are real cuties. They've studied and finished their homework before going to play with their friends.# Estos niÒos son una monada. Han estudiado y terminado sus tareas antes de ir a jugar con sus amigos.

cutup (tease) #el/la vacilador(-a) #Untitled3993 #Mex, Cuba, G, ES, Col #Don't believe him. What a cutup! #No lo creas. Que vacilador!

to be a cutup (comic, entertaining person) #ser un vacilon#Untitled3998 ## Mex, DR, PR, ES, CR, Sp # Jose is a cutup, always telling jokes.#Jose es un vacilon, siempre contando chistes.


dad #el tata#Untitled3664 ## L. Am. # My dad doesn't love me.# Mi tata no me quiere.

the damages (check, bill) #la dolorosa #Untitled1269#the painful one#U, Sp # Waiter, bring me the damages.# Camarero, traigame la dolorosa.

damn (vulgar) #puto(-a) #Untitled3237#pimp or whore, vulgar# L. Am., Sp; cabron, cabrona (big goat) Mex, Cuba, PR, C. Am., Col, Bol, Ch, Sp; de los cojones (of the testicles) Mex, Sp; pinche Mex# Where is that damn music coming from? #De donde viene esa musiquita de los cojones?

damn! (expression of anger, surprise) # Puta! #Untitled3228#Whore!; vulgar# L. Am., Sp; Carajo! (male organ, vulgar) L. Am., Sp; CoÒo! (reference to female organ; vulgar, especially in L. Am.) Mex, Caribbean, Col, Sp; Cojones! (Testicles!; vulgar) Cuba, Sp; Hostia(s)! (Host [s]!; vulgar) Sp; Joer! (from joder) Sp; Anda la hostia (leche, osa, puta)! (Go the Host [milk, bear, whore]!; vulgar) Sp; CoÒa! (vulgar) Sp # Damn! Someone's stolen my computer. #Cojones! Me han robado la computadora.

damn fantastic (great) #del carajo #Untitled603#of the male organ, vulgar# DR, PR, Col, Ven; de pinga, de pinguisima (of the male organ, vulgar) DR, Ven; de puta madre (mother whore, vulgar) Sp; cojonudo(-a) (vulgar) Sp#Those slacks look damn fantastic on you. # Esos pantalones te sientan de puta madre.

damn god-awful (a bitch of a) #de los cojones #Untitled819#of the testicles, vulgar# Mex, Sp # Where is that damn god-awful music coming from? #De donde viene esa musiquita de los cojones?

damn hard time #el coÒazo #Untitled941#blow, from coÒo; vulgar# Sp # What a damn hard time (I had)! #Que coÒazo!

damn it! #Maldito(-a) sea! #Untitled2131 #May it be cursed!# Mex, DR, PR, G, Col, U, Sp # Damn the current politicians; they've destoyed the country's economy. #Malditos sean los politicos actuates; han destruido la economia del pais

to be a damn whiz (at something) #ser un(a) chingon (chingona) (vulgar)#Untitled4176## Chicano, Mex, C. Am.; ser muy cabron (cabrona) para algo (vulgar) Chicano, Mex, G, Col # Juan is a damn whiz at music. #Juan es un chingon para la musica.

damn(ed) #maldito(-a) #Untitled2131 ##L. Am., Sp # Damned war! Many innocent people have died.# Maldita guerra! Han muerto muchos inocentes.


daredevil #atrevido(-a) #Untitled4177##L. Am., Sp; aventado (-a) (thrown out) Mex, G, ES, Nic, Col, Peru # Aurelio is a daredevil and accepted his friends' challenge (dare).# Aurelio es aventado y acepto el desafio de sus amigos.

darn! (Holy smoke! Wow!) #Caramba! #Untitled607#euphemism for Carajo!# L. Am., Sp; Caracoles! (snails; euphemism for Carajo!) Mex, DR, Col, U, Arg, Sp; Pucha! (euphemism for La puta!) L. Am.; Caray! (euphemism for Carajo!) Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, Col, Sp; Que vaina! (What a husk, sheath!) DR, most of C. Am., Col, Ven; Chihuahua! Chispas! (euphemisms for chinga'o, screwed) Mex; Chuchas! (female organ; very common, vulgar) Ch; Joer! (from joder) Sp # Darn it! I don't remember where I put the documents from the lawyer. #Caramba! No recuerdo donde puse los documentos del abogado.

darned #bendito(-a) #Untitled327#blessed, sometimes used ironically for the opposite# L. Am. # This darned car won't start.# Este bendito carro no me arranca.


day of reckoning# el dia de arreglo de cuentas #Untitled1240#day of settling of accounts# L. Am., Sp # The attack this morning at dawn was the day of reckoning between two gangs of delinquents.# El ataque de esta madrugada fue un arreglo de cuentas entre dos bandas de delincuentes.

daydreaming (to be daydreaming, to tune out) #volado(-a) #Untitled4077#blown up high or flown away# Mex, Col # He's in the clouds, daydreaming about the girl. #Esta en las nubes, bien volado por la chava.

to be daydreaming #estar en la luna (de Valencia) #Untitled2086#to be in the moon [of Valencia]# L. Am., Sp; estar en las nubes (to be in the clouds) L. Am., Sp; estar en la higuera (to be in the fig tree) Sp # I don't remember what Carmela said; I was daydreaming when she spoke. #No recuerdo lo que dijo Carmela; yo estaba en las nubes cuando ella hablo.

dead (boring, to be a drag) #muerto(-a) #Untitled2418#dead# Mex, G, Ch # This disco is dead. Let's go. #Esta discoteca esta muerta. Vamonos.

dead as a doornail #frito(-a) #Untitled1551#fried# PR, Col, U, Arg, Sp # He fell out the window and wound up dead as a doornail on the ground. #Se cayo de la ventana y se quedo frito en el suelo.

dead-end situation #el callejon sin salida#Untitled549## L. Am., Sp # I don't know what to do; I'm in a dead-end situation. #No se que hacer, estoy en un callejon sin salida.

to be deadly (difficult)# ser mortal #Untitled2398#to be mortal, deadly# Mex, DR, Col, U, Arg # This crossword puzzle is deadly.# Este crucigrama es mortal.

to be deadly dull (to be a drag) #ser capaz de dormir a un muerto #Untitled591#to be capable of putting a dead person to sleep# Mex, Sp # My chemistry teacher is deadly dull. #Mi profesora de quimica es capaz de dormir a un muerto.

to be deaf as a post #ser mas sordo(-a) que una tapia #Untitled2228#to be more deaf than a wall# L. Am., Sp # My grandmother was as deaf as a post.# Mi abuela era mas sorda que una tapia,

deal (transaction, intense activity; slang) #el traqueteo #Untitled3945#banging, creaking# Mex, DR, PR, G, ES, Col (RVAR Col: usually refers to drug dealing) # What's the deal with those two? It looks bad (lit., smells ugly) to me. #Cual es el traqueteo que tienen esos dos? A mi me huele bien feo.


dear (my love, sweetie) #mi vida #Untitled4061#my life# L. Am., Sp; (mi) cielo ([my] heaven) L. Am., Sp; (mi) tesoro ([my] treasure) L. Am., Sp; corazon (heart) L. Am., Sp; gordito (-a) (chubby) L. Am., Sp; m'ijo, m'ija (short for mi hijo, mi hija, lit. my son, my daughter; used to show affection even to people who are not related) Chicano, Mex, Sp; negrito(-ita) (black one; term of affection, used for people of any skin color) L. Am.; mamacita (little mama; term of address derived from mama, used with affection to a girl or woman; also, sometimes used as a come-on by a man to a good-looking woman) L. Am.; papi, papito (dad, term of affection used by women to men) Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, G, ES, Pan, Col #Come here, my dear. #Ven aca, mi vida (corazon, mi alma, m'ijo, negrita).

decked out #vestido(-a) de punta en blanco #Untitled4178#dressed all in white# L. Am., Sp; de pipa y guante (with pipe and glove) Chicano, Mex; a todo trapo (at full rag) S. Cone # They were all decked out for the party; they were very elegant.# Se vistieron para la fiesta a todo trapo; estaban muy elegantes.


to defend to the hilt (back up) #defender a capa y espada #Untitled1178#to defend with cape and sword# L. Am., Sp # He defended that opinion to the hilt.# Defendio esa opinion a capa y espada.

to be demanding (annoying or bossy person) #ser un(a) fregado(-a) #Untitled1543#to be a scrubber# Mex, Nic, CR, Peru, Ch # Their son is very demanding; he always wants to buy expensive clothes and spend money with his friends.# El hijo de ellos es muy fregado; siempre quiere comprar ropa muy cara y gastar dinero con sus amigos.


to be devastated (by grief or disappointment) #quedarse hecho(-a) polvo #Untitled4179#to be made into dust# L. Am., Sp # When I heard the news, I was devastated.# Al oir la noticia, me quede hecho polvo.

to be the devil himself (very perverse or cunning) #ser el mismisimo demonio#Untitled2356 ## Mex, DR, PR, U, Arg, Sp # That man is the devil himself. Don't even talk to him. #Ese hombre es el mismisimo demonio. Ni le hables.

dick (cock; male organ) #el pito #Untitled2992#whistle, fife; vulgar# Mex, Cuba, G, ES, CR, U, Arg, Sp; la verga (vulgar) Mex, C. Am., Col, Ec, U, Arg, Sp; el palo (stick, vulgar) Mex, Cuba, DR, G, ES, CR, Col; el chorizo (sausage, vulgar) Mex, Cuba, G, ES, U; la pinga (vulgar) Cuba, DR, PR, G, CR, Col; la polla (young female chicken, pullet; vulgar) Sp

to dick around (act like a fool) #pendejear # Untitled2893#vulgar# Mex, C. Am # Stop dicking around.# Deja de pendejear.

dickens #diablos #Untitled4180#devils# L. Am., Sp; narices (noses, often a euphemism for cojones) Sp # What the dickens am I doing here? #Que diablos hago aqui?


to be to die for (delicious) #ser para chuparse los dedos #Untitled2729#to be to suck one's fingers# L. Am., Sp # This dessert is to die for. #Este postre es para chuparse los dedos.

to die of laughter# morirse de la risa #Untitled2393 ##L. Am., Sp # Every time I hear Emilio tell stories, I die of laughter.# Cada vez que escucho a Emilio contar cuentos, me muero de la risa.


to be difficult (person, thing, or situation) #ser un hueso que roer #Untitled1856#to be a bone to gnaw on# L. Am., Sp # That professor is really difficult to deal with. He flunks almost everyone. #Ese profesor es un hueso que roer. Suspende a casi todos.

to dig in and study (to cram) #hincar los codos #Untitled1831#to dig in one's elbows# Mex, Sp # I have to really dig in if I want to pass the exam. #Tengo que hincar los codos si quiero pasar el examen.

digs (home)# la home #Untitled1841#from English# parts of L. Am. (not S. Cone); la choza (hut) Mex, G, ES, CR, Col, Para, U, Arg; el chante (chanti) Mex, ES, Nic, CR, Pan; la cueva (cave) Mex, Col; la ruca (from the Mapuche language) Ec, Ch # I'm going to my digs now. #Voy a mi choza ahora.


dim-witted (stupid, fool) #lelo (-a)#Untitled2008## Chicano, Mex, DR, G, Col, U, Arg; menso(-a) Chicano, Mex, DR, PR, C. Am., Col, Ch; pasmado(-a) Mex, C. Am., U; zoquete (zoqueta) Chicano, Mex, DR, Col, Sp; dundo(-a) C. Am. # What a dim-witted girl! She refused to go on Don Francisco's show! #Que muchacha mas zoqueta! No quiso salir en el show de don Francisco!

to be a ding-a-ling (be an incompetent person) #ser una maraca sin palo #Untitled2185#to be a maraca, the musical instrument, without a handle or stick# Col # In chemistry class I'm a real dinga-ling, the most klutzy of them all.# En la close de quimica soy una maraca sin palo, el mas cafre de todos.

to be dirt cheap (things; a steal)# estar por los suelos #Untitled3124#to be on the floor# ES, Ch, Sp # In that store everything is dirt cheap now.# En esa tienda todo esta por los suelos ahora.

dirty (obsessed with sex) #cochambroso(-a) #Untitled809##Mex, DR, PR, ES, Col, Sp # My friend has a very dirty mind.# Mi amiga tiene la mente bien cochambrosa.

dirty old man #el viejo verde (viejo caliente) #Untitled4064#green old man [hot old man]; not necessarily pejorative# L. Am., Sp; el rabo verde (green tail) Mex, C. Am., Peru; el birriondo Mex, G, ES; el coscolino Mex, ES # Don't talk to that dirty old man. #No le hables a ese viejo verde.

dirty old woman #la viuda verde (mujer rabo verde) #Untitled4070#green widow [woman with a green tail]# Chicano, Mex; la birrionda Mex, G, ES # That lady is a dirty old woman.# Esa seÒora es una viuda verde.

dirty trick# la mala pasada #Untitled2125#bad pass# L. Am., Sp; la trastada L. Am., Sp; la cochinada (pig action) L. Am., Sp; la canallada most of L. Am.; la cabronada (slightly vulgar) Mex, PR, G, Col, Sp; la fregadera (scrubbing) Mex; la jalada (pull or jerk) Mex; la cagada (shit, vulgar) S. Cone; la putada (whore thing or action, vulgar) S. Cone, Sp; la gilada U, Arg; la mariconada (gayness, slightly vulgar) Ch, Sp; la guarrada (pig action, somewhat vulgar) Sp #They've played some dirty tricks on me, too.# A mi tambien me han hecho algunas trastadas.

to disappear from the face of the earth (from places one usually frequents) #tragarselo a alguien la tierra #Untitled3933#to be swallowed by the earth# L. Am., Sp# We never see Juan; it's like he's disappeared from the face of the earth.# Nunca vemos a Juan; se to trago la tierra.

to disappear into thin air # esfumarse#Untitled1442## L. Am., Sp; hacerse humo (to become steam or smoke) L. Am., Sp; evaporarse (to evaporate) Mex, Ch, Sp #Where is your little brother? -I don't know. He's disappeared into thin air. #Donde esta tu hermanito? -No se. Se ha esfumado.

to disregard completely (what someone says) #echar en saco roto #Untitled1317#to put into a broken or torn sack# L. Am., Sp # They completely disregarded my advice. #Echaron mis consejos en saco roto.

to disrespect# faltar el respeto a... #Untitled1479#to lack respect# L. Am., Sp # Don't disrespect me, girl. #No me faltes el respeto, niÒa.


dive (seedy bar or club) #el antro#Untitled4181## Mex, U, Arg, Sp; el boliche U, Arg# Shall we have a drink here? -Not in that dive; I don't like that place. #Vamos a tomar un trago aqui? -No en ese antro; no me gusto ese lugar.

divine #divis-divis #Untitled1264#an exaggeratedly feminine expression that may be said ironically or in jest, like "Simply divine, dahling!"# Mex #That blouse looks divine on you.# Esa blusa to queda divis-divis.

to do a bad job (at something) #hacer algo a lo bestia #Untitled1664#to do something like a beast# Mex, PR, U, Arg, Sp # He did a bad job packing his suitcases, and he forgot important things.# Hizo sus maletas a lo bestia y se olvido de cosas muy importantes.

to do (someone) a favor# hacer un favor#Untitled4182##L. Am., Sp; hacer un paro (to make a stop) Mex, parts of C. Am.; hacer una segunda (to do a second) Ven; hacer una gauchada (from gaucho, cowboy) S. Cone # Do me a favor, bro'.# Hazme un paro, mano.


to do in (kill figuratively, finish off or be the ruin of) #linchar #Untitled2030#to lynch# Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, ES, G, Col, Ch, Sp; capar (to neuter, castrate) Mex, Col, Arg, U; darle mate (to give kill) Mex; tirar a los leones (to throw to the lions) Ch, Sp; dar la puntilla (to give the dagger) Sp # His insults to the manager were what did him in (finished him off). He's fired. #Sus insultos al gerente fue to que le acabo de dar la puntilla. Esta despedido.

to do something in a half-assed way (badly) #hacer algo con el culo #Untitled1665#to do something with the ass, vulgar# Mex, PR, Sp #Rosalia, you made your bed in a half-assed way; you'll need to do it over. #Rosalia, hiciste to cama con el culo; tendras que hacerla de nuevo.

to do something on the fly (quickly) #hacer algo volando #Untitled1666#to do something flying# Mex, DR, G, ES, S. Cone, Sp # I did it on the fly. #Lo hice volando.

to do the dirty work #cargar con el mochuelo #Untitled616#to carry the bird [a nocturnal bird of prey]# L. Am., Sp; cargar con el muerto (to carry the dead person) Ch, Sp; pringar (to dip or soak in grease; to stab; vulgar) Sp # In that company there's only one person who does the dirty work.# En esa empresa solo hay uno que pringa.

to do things above board (openly) #jugar a cartas vistas #Untitled1963#to play with cards that can be seen# Sp #In this company we do things above board. #En esta empresa jugamos a cartas vistas.

to do whatever one pleases (often describing a whim) #hacer de las suyas #Untitled1681#to do your own# Mex, DR, PR, ES, S. Cone; hacer su regalada gana (to do one's gifted desire) Mex, ES # Alvaro did what he darn well pleased when he chose the paint for the house without consulting his wife. #Alvaro hizo su regalada gana cuando eligio la pintura para la Casa sin consultar a su esposa.


doll (pretty girl, babe) #la muÒeca #Untitled2426#doll# Mex, Col, Para, U, Arg # That girl is a doll. #Esa niÒa es una muÒeca.


don't even think about it. (No way.) #Ni pensarlo.#Untitled2485## L. Am., Sp; Ni hablar. Don't even think (lit., talk) about it. L. Am., Sp # Can we get a new car this year. -No, don't even think about it. #Podemos cambiar de carro este aÒo? -No, ni pensarlo.


don't get on my bad side.# No me busques. (also, No le busques.) #Untitled2557#Don't look for me.# Mex, DR, PR, Col, U # I'm really angry, so don't get on my bad side because you won't like it! (lit., because you'll find it!) #Ando cabreadisima, asi que no me busques, que me encuentras!


don't go there. #Ese tema no lo toques. #Untitled4183#Don't touch that topic.# L. Am., Sp; No me busques. (also, No le busques.) (Don't look for me.) Mex, DR, PR, Col, U


dough (money, bucks, big bucks) #la plata #Untitled3000#silver# L. Am.; la lana (wool) Mex, Cuba, C. Am.; la feria (fair or day off) Mex, C. Am.; la pachocha (paper money) Mex; el pisto G, ES, Nic, CR; la guita Ec, Peru, S. Cone, Sp# Do you have any dough to lend me? #Tienes plata para prestarme?

down (sad) #deprimido(-a) #Untitled4184##L. Am., Sp; con/en la depre L. Am., Sp; bajoneado(-a) S. Cone; aguitado(-a) Mex, C. Am.; achicopalado(-a) Mex, ES, Nic # Poor Carlos. Someone stole his girlfriend (took her away) and he's down. #Pobre Carlos. Le quitaron la novia y anda aguitado.


down the hatch! (toast said before drinking) #(Arriba, abajo,) al centro y p'adentro! #Untitled225#Up, down, to the center, and inside!# L. Am., Sp # Let's make a toast. Down the hatch with great dispatch! #Vamos a brindar. Arriba, abajo, al centro y p'adentro!


down to the marrow# hasta los tuetanos #Untitled1788##L. Am., Sp # I'm pure Puerto Rican. Down to the marrow. # Soy puro puertorriqueno. Hasta los tuetanos.


downer (including one caused by drugs) #el bajon #Untitled296#big down# Mex, DR, PR, ES, S. Cone, Sp # What a downer! I failed my final exams. #Que bajon! Fracase en mis examenes finales.

to download a computer file #descargar#Untitled1204## L. Am., Sp; hater un download (un backup) L. Am., Sp # I downloaded the file. #Descargue el archivo.

draft (beer) #de barril#Untitled317#from the barrel# L. Am.; la caÒa Sp # A beer, please. Draft. #Una cerveza, por favor. De barril.

drag (annoying, boring) #mamon, mamona #Untitled2142#sucker, like a suckling baby, somewhat vulgar# Chicano, Mex, Col, Peru, ES; fregon, fregona (scrubber) Mex, G, Col; sangron, sangrona Mex, Cuba, G, ES, CR, Col # That woman is a drag. Why do you put up with her? #Esa mujer es sangrona. Por que la toleras?


dragging along #arrastrando la cobija #Untitled215#dragging the blanket# Mex, ES, Col # How are you today? -Dragging along. #Como estas hoy? -Arrastrando la cobija.

to draw a blank estar (quedarse) en blanco (to be [remain] blank) L. Am., Sp; trancarse (to be blocked, as with a bar) DR, Col, Ch I knew the lesson well but when the teacher asked me about it, I got so nervous I drew a blank. Me sabia muy bien la leccion pero cuando me la preguntd elprofesor, me puse tan nervioso que me quede en blanco.Untitled348#

to draw the line# fijar los limites #Untitled4185#to fix the limits# L. Am., Sp; poner a raya (to put a stripe, when someone is trying to take advantage) Mex, Ch, Sp # She was pressuring me a lot, but I finally drew the line. #Me presionaba mucho, Pero por fin lo puse a raya.

dreamer (unreliable person) #el/la cantamananas#Untitled579## Sp # That guy is a dreamer. He never gets anything done.#Ese tipo es un cantamananas. Es realmente un incumplidor.

to be dreaming (of the impossible)# soÒar con pajaros preÒados #Untitled3616#to dream of pregnant birds# parts of L. Am. # If you think I'm going to buy you that car, you're dreaming. #Si crees que yo voy a comprar ese carro, estas soÒando con pajaros preÒados.


to drink booze (to have a drink) #chupar #Untitled781#to suck# L. Am., Sp (RVAR C.Am.: slightly vulgar); pistear Mex (mainly northern) # That guy likes to drink booze. #A ese tipo le gusta chupar.

to drink like a sponge# beber como una esponja#Untitled326## U, Sp # Manolo drinks like a sponge and has health problems. #Manolo bebe como una esponja y tiene problemas de salud.

to drive someone crazy #volverle loco(-a) a alguien #Untitled4186##L. Am., Sp; sacar a alguien de sus casillas (de quicio) (to take someone out of their pigeon holes [out of doorjamb]) L. Am., Sp # My daughter drives me crazy.# Mi hija me saca de mis casillas,

to be drooling with admiration #caersele a alguien la baba #Untitled517#to have drool falling# Mex, ES, S. Cone # He was drooling with admiration when she came out in that miniskirt. #Se le cayo la baba cuando ella salio en esa minifalda.


to drop by #descolgarse #Untitled1209#to unhang oneself# Mex, ES; dejarse caer (to let oneself fall) Bol, Ch, Sp # If I go to Barcelona, I'll drop by your house. #Si voy a Barcelona, me dejare caer por to casa.

to be drowsy (sleepy)#tener sueÒo#Untitled4187## L. Am., Sp; tener un muermo, estar amormado(-a) (to have glanders, a viral disease of animals) Sp # I'm sleepy.# Tengo un muermo. Estoy amormado.


druggie (addict) #el drogo #Untitled1298#short for drogadicto, drug addict# parts of L. Am.; el/la drogata Sp # Don't go out with him; he's a druggie.# No salgas con el, es un drogata.

to be drunk (to be wasted) #estar tomado(-a)#Untitled3883 ## L. Am, Sp #They all admitted that they were drunk.# Todos admitieron que estaban tomados.

drunkard#el/la briago(-a) #Untitled397##Mex, C. Am. # Poor Leonor; her husband is a drunkard.# Pobre Leonor; su esposo es un briago.


to be a dud (bad quality, boring, or ugly) #ser un petardo #Untitled2933#to be a detonator, firecracker# Sp # That movie (That babe) is a dud. #Esa pelicula (Esa chica) es un petardo.

dude (guy) #el chavalo#Untitled689## Chicano, Mex, C. Am.; el vato (bato) Chicano, Mex; el gallo (rooster) Cuba, DR, PR# Luis is a crazy dude; he lives in San Diego, but his heart is in Mexico. # Luis es un vato loco; vive en San Diego, pero su corazon esta en Mexico. 


dumb (stupid) #tarado(-a) # Untitled3657#from tara, mental deficiency# L. Am, Sp; baboso(-a) (drooling) most of L. Am.; tarugo(-a) Chicano, Mex, DR, Col, Sp; deschavetado(-a) (headless) Mex, ES, Ch# How dumb my brother is! #Que baboso mi hermano!


to dump someone# correr#Untitled958## L. Am., Sp; largar U, Arg; mandar por un tubo (to send through a pipe) Mex, ES, Col # How are you, Juan? -Bad. My girlfriend dumped me. #Como estas, Juan? -Mal. Mi novia me mando por un tubo.


dyed-in-the-wool #tal por cual #Untitled3650#such for which# L. Am. # He's a dyed-in-the-wool liar.# Es un mentiroso tal por cual.

to be dying of laughter#estar muerto(-a) de la risa #Untitled2421##L. Am., Sp # How funny! I was dying of laughter. #Que chistoso! Estaba muerta de la risa!

dyke (lesbian, tomboy; pejorative) #la tortillera #Untitled4188#tortilla maker# L. Am., Sp; la marimacha Mex, DR, ES, Col, Sp; la marimacho PR, G, Ch,; la cachapera (from cachapa, corn bread) PR, Ven


easier said than done. #Del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho. #Untitled1247#From what is said to what is done there is a big gap.# L. Am., Sp # That's his story; however, I think it's easier said than done. #Esa es su historia; sin embargo, yo creo que del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho.


easy does it. (Chill out.) #Tran- quilo(-a). #Untitled3939#Tranquil.# Mex, DR, Col, Ven, S. Cone, Sp # Easy does it. No problem. #Tranquilo, tranquilo. No hay problema.

easy woman (slut) #mujer facil #Untitled4189#easy woman#L. Am., Sp # That woman is rather easy.# Esa mujer es bastante facil.


eat and run. #Comida hecha, amistad deshecha. #Untitled4190#Meal finished, friendship ended, said in jest# most of L. Am., Sp # Unfortunately we have to go now. Eat and run. #Desgraciadamente tenemos que ir ahora. Comida hecha, amistad deshecha.

to eat like a pig #comer como cerdo #Untitled839#to eat like a pig# L. Am., Sp (RVAR ES, Nic, S. Cone: also, comer como chancho) # We ate like pigs on our vacation.# Comimos como cerdos en nuestras vacaciones.


to be an egghead (intellectual) #saber de letras #Untitled3447#to know letters# Mex, DR, Col # This young woman is a real egghead. #Esta seÒorita sabe de letras realmente.

to be embarrassed #estar avergonzado(-a) #Untitled4191##L. Am., Sp; estar abochornado(-a) (to be suffocating from heat) L. Am., Sp; tener pena (to have sorrow) most of L. Am. (not S. Cone)# I felt embarrassed when she asked me that very personal question. # Me avergonze cuando me hizo esa pregunta tan personal.


to be engaged #andar de novios #Untitled157## L. Am., Sp # Felipe and Carmen are engaged. #Felipe y Carmen andan de novios.


enough said. #Ni hablar del peluquin. #Untitled2474#Don't even talk about the toupee.# ES, Peru, Ch, Sp # Go to the beach? Good idea. Enough said.# ir a la playa? Buena idea. Ni hablar del peluquin.

to escape by a hair #salvarse por un pelo #Untitled3512#to be saved by a hair# L. Am., Sp # Two people died in the accident. I escaped by a hair.# Dos personas murieron en el accidente. Yo me salve por un pelo.

to be even (with each other) #estar a mano #Untitled2174#to be at hand# Mex, ES, S. Cone #I paid you the money and now we're even, pal.# Te pague la plata y ahora estamos a mano, amigo.

every last bit (all) #todititito(-a) #Untitled3865 #variant of todo# Mex, ES, Nic #Every last bit of my dinner was ruined. #Se me arruino todititita la comida.


to eye (to pay attention) #echar el ojo #Untitled1316#to throw the eye# L. Am., Sp; echar un taco de ojo (to throw a taco of the eye) Mex # You've already got your eye on that guy, right? # Ya le echaste el ojo a ese muchacho, no?

to be an eyeful (be good-looking)# estar para comerselo #Untitled2731#to be as if to eat# Florida, Mex, Cuba, DR, ES, U, Arg, Sp; ser un muÒeco (to be a doll; for men) Mex, G; estar muy potable (to be very drinkable) Mex, S. Cone, Sp; estar hecho(-a) un figurin (to be made a figurine) DR, U, Arg, Sp; estar de bandera (to be of flag) Sp # Carlos Vives is one handsome guy. He's an eyeful. #Carlos Vives es un papazote. Esta pa'comerselo.



to face the music (prepare for a struggle)# ponerse al tiro #Untitled3078#to put oneself to the shot# Mex, ES, Col # He had to face the music and study to pass the exam.# Se puso al tiro para pasar el examen.


fake (phony) #falso(-a) #Untitled4192##L. Am., Sp; trucho(-a) (trout) U, Arg # This suitcase isn't leather; it's fake.# Esta maleta no es de cuero; es trucha.


to fall for (be tricked, duped)# caer como un gil (como un angelito) #Untitled4193#to fall like a fool [like a little angel]# Bol, S. Cone; tragar(se) algo (to swallow something) L. Am., Sp# I'm not swallowing that story. I'm not swallowing it. #No voy a tragar ese cuento. No me lo trago.

to be the fall guy (to be left holding the bag)# pagar los platos rotos #Untitled2690#to pay for the broken plates# L. Am., Sp; pagar los vidrios rotos (to pay for the broken windows) Mex, Sp; pagar el pato (los patos) (to pay for the duck[s]) Mex, Nic, S. Cone, Sp #They caused the problem, but I was the fall guy. #Ellos causaron el problema, pero yo pague los platos rotos.

to fall hard (be in love) #quedar flechado(-a) #Untitled3291##Mex, DR, G, S. Cone #The exchange student fell hard for Rodolfo and didn't want to return to her country. #La estudiante de intercambio quedo flechada con Rodolfo y no quiso regresar a su pais.

to fall into the trap # caer en la trampa (en la red) #Untitled502##Mex, DR, ES, S. Cone, Sp # They fell into the trap and bought a stolen car. #Cayeron en la trampa y compraron un auto robado.

fan (sports)# el/la aficionado(-a)#Untitled4194## L. Am., Sp; el/la hincha S. Am., Sp # The fans supported their team during the championship.# Los hinchas apoyaron a su equipo durante el campeonato.


fast (sexually) #acelerado #Untitled18##Mex, G, ES, Sp # I went out with Fernando for the first and last time. He's so fast!# Sali con Fernando por primera y ultima vez. Que acelerado!


fast food# la(s) porqueria(s) #Untitled3153#pig stuff# L. Am., Sp; la comida chatarra (scrap-metal food) Mex, Col, Ch #I filled up on fast food and now I'm not hungry.# Me llene con puras porquerias y ahora no tengo hambre.


to feather one's nest (to hit the jackpot) #forrarse #Untitled1537#to make a lining for oneself, referring to lined pockets# DR, Nic, Sp # He feathered his nest with the stock market.# Se forro de dinero en la bolsa de valores.

to be fed up# estar hasta la coronilla #Untitled1777#to be up to the top of the head, crown# L. Am., Sp; no poder mas (to be able no more) L. Am., Sp; estar hasta los cojones (to be up to the testicles; vulgar) Mex, Sp; estar hasta la madre (to be up to the mother) Mex, C. Am.# Now it's (you've, he's, she's) got me totally fed up, up to here! #Ya me tiene cansada hasta la coronilla!

to feed one's face #echarle algo al buche (al pico) #Untitled1351#to put something in one's craw [beak]# Mex, Cuba, DR, G, Col, U, Sp # I'm hungry. I need to feed my face.# Tengo hambre. Necesito echarle algo al buche.


to feel in great shape #sentirse en plena forma #Untitled3006#to feel in full form# Mex, Sp # I feel in great shape. And all thanks to the gym.# Me siento en plena forma. Y todo gracias al gimnasio.

to feel like #apetecerle #Untitled179#provoke a desire or yearning, be appealing or appetizing# Sp # I feel like dancing. #Me apetece bailar.

to feel like (be) a second-class citizen (not treated with consideration) #ser plato de segunda mesa #Untitled3003#to be a plate of a second table# Mex, DR, PR, ES, Sp (RVARMex: used mainly for women who are with married men) # I am not a second-class citizen. #Yo no soy plato de segunda mesa.

to feel like having something #provocarle algo a alguien #Untitled3195#to have something provoke a desire in someone# Col # Do you feel like having a coffee? #Te provoca un tinto (cafe)?

to feel like (be) love at first sight# flecharle #Untitled1518#to strike with an arrow# Mex, DR, ES, Col, S. Cone # It felt like love at first sight. #I'm in love. Me flecho. Estoy enamorada.

to feel someone up (to touch someone with sexual intentions) #meter mano #Untitled4195#to put hand# Mex, PR, U, Sp # He tried to feel me up in the movie theater.# Intento meterme mano en el cine.

to be a fifth wheel (to go along with a couple on a date) #cargar el arpa #Untitled617#to carry the harp# Mex, Ec; tocar el violin (to play the violin) U, Peru, Ch # Please don't bring your sister along as a fifth wheel when we go out tomorrow. #Por favor no traigas a tu hermana a cargar el arpa cuando salgamos maÒana.

fiftyish# cincuenton, cincuentona #Untitled796#the -on is an augmentative, emphasizing age# L. Am., Sp # Agustina is fiftyish, but she looks much younger, and she's always very active. #Agustina es cincuentona, pero parece mucho mas joven, y siempre esta muy activa.


to fight like cats and dogs (to be like oil and water) #pelear, (andar, ser) como perro y gato #Untitled149#to fight [walk, be] like dog and cat# Mex, DR, ES, U, Ch, Sp # These kids fight like cats and dogs. #Estos niÒos pelean como perro y gato.


to be filthy rich# estar podrido(-a) de dinero #Untitled3026#to be rotten with money# Mex, DR, ES, CR, U, Arg, Sp # They're filthy rich and they don't know how to enjoy it (their money).# Estan podridos de dinero y no saben disfrutarlo.

to be fine (of great worth) #ser canela fina #Untitled574#to be fine cinnamon# Mex, G, ES, Sp #This music is fine.# Esta musica es canela fina.


to be finger-licking good (delicious) #ser para chuparse los dedos #Untitled2729#to be to suck one's fingers# L. Am., Sp # This dessert is finger-lickin' good. #Este postre es para chuparse los dedos.


finishing touch #el ultimo toque #Untitled3985#last touch# Mex, Ch, U, Sp # Put the finishing touch on the article and we'll publish it. #Dale el ultimo toque al articulo y lo publicaremos.

fink (stool pigeon, one who rats on another) #el chivato #Untitled751##Mex, Cuba, DR, Sp (RVAR Cuba, DR: also; chiva); el sapo (frog, toad, used like soplon) Nic, CR, Col, Ven, Ec, Peru, Ch # If my brother finds out I'm coming late, I'm toast. He's a fink, and for sure he'll fink on me to Dad.# Si mi hermano se entera de que llegue tarde, estoy frita. Es un chivato y seguro me chivatea con papi.

to fire (someone) #despedir#Untitled4196## L. Am., Sp; correr (to run) Mex, C. Am., U, Arg # They fired him because he wasn't working well.# Lo corrieron porque no trabajaba bien.

fired up (describing a real fan or enthusiast) #con la camiseta puesta #Untitled566#with the T-shirt on# S. Cone # All fired up, Ernesto worked day and night for the candidate of his political party.# Con la camiseta puesta, Ernesto trabajo dia y noche para el candidato de su partido politico.


fit as a fiddle #sano(-a) como una manzana #Untitled3519#healthy as an apple# Sp # Hi, Veronica. How are you? -Fit as a fiddle. #Hola, Veronica. Como estas? -Sana como una manzana.

to fit like a glove (fit very well) #quedar pintado(-a) #Untitled3294#to remain painted# Mex, Cuba, DR, Col, Peru, S. Cone, Sp# This dress fits you like a glove! #Este vestido to queda pintado!


to fit well (look good on) #lucir #Untitled2081#to shine# DR, PR, ES, Nic, CR, Col, Sp # Those red pants fit Rosa well.# A Rosa le lucen esos pantalones rojos.


to fix up with a blind date #hacer un gancho #Untitled1723#to make a hook# S. Cone, Sp; enganchar (to hook) ES# My brother wants me to fix him up with one of my friends. #Mi hermano quiere que le haga un gancho con una de mis amigas.


to be flabbergasted (astounded)# quedarse boquiabierto(-a) #Untitled374#to be left open-mouthed# L. Am., Sp; quedarse frio(-a) (helado[-a]) (to end up cold [frozen]) L. Am., Sp; quedarse con la cara cuadrada (to be left with the face square) Mex# Susana was flabbergasted when I told her I'd gotten married. #Susana se quedo boquiabierta cuando le dije que me habia casado.

flake (unreliable person) #falton, faltona#Untitled1482# # most of L. Am., Sp# That guy is a flake. #Ese tipo es un falton.


flick #la peli, la pela #Untitled2865#short for pelicula# Mex, DR, Sp # Did you go to the movies? What flick did you see? #Fueron al cine? Que peli vieron?

fling (affair)# la aventura #Untitled262#adventure# L. Am., Sp # I had a great fling in Sevilla.# Tuve una aventura fantastica en Sevilla.

to flip out (do something abnormal) #salirse de las casillas #Untitled3505#to go out of the little boxes or pigeon holes# L. Am., Sp; salirse del guacal (to go out of one's container) Mex, ES; salirse de madre en algo (to go out of the mother in something) Mex, Sp # Agustin got angry, flipped out, and started yelling at people.# Agustin se enojo, se salio de las casillas y se puso a gritar a la gente.


to flirt #coquetear#Untitled4197## L. Am., Sp; flirtear L. Am.; dar entrada (to give entrance, slang) Mex #Lilian was flirting with her friend's boyfriend. #Lilian le daba entrada al novio de su amiga,


floozie (slut) #la loca #Untitled2074#crazy person# Mex, DR, Col, Ec, U, Arg; la pasa rato (pastime) Mex, DR, Col, ES; la golfita Mex, Col; la coscolina Mex; la guarra Sp # Near the port there are always a lot of floozies#. Cerca del puerto siempre hay muchas golfitas.


folks (parents)# los viejos #Untitled4198#old ones; also, term of endearment# L. Am., Sp; los jefes (bosses) parts of L. Am., incl. Mex, S. Cone# My folks aren't here. #Mis jefes no estan aqui.

to follow in someone's footsteps# seguir las huellas de alguien#Untitled3539 ## Mex, Ch, Sp # The son is following in his father's footsteps; he's going to be a banker.# El hijo sigue las huellas del padre; va a ser banquero.

to follow the crowd (always agree)# decir amen a todo #Untitled1173#to say "amen" to everything# DR, ES, S. Cone, Sp # She doesn't like problems: she always follows the crowd. #A ella no le gustan los problemas: siempre dice amen a todo.

to fool around (flirt) #jugar al balero #Untitled1965#to play cup and ball, a children's game# Mex, Col # I like fooling around with a French guy I met at the party.# Me gusto jugar al bolero con un frances que conoci en la fiesta.


for ages (for a while) #hace mucho tiempo, hace ratos #Untitled1216##L. Am., Sp; hace raton y queso (it makes rat and cheese; slang) Cuba # Hi, pal! We haven't seen each other for ages. #Hola, socio! Hace raton y queso que no nos vemos.


for free (free of charge) #de balde#Untitled300## L. Am., Sp; de hoquis Mex; de yapa S. Cone # It looks like they want us to work for free here.# Parece que quieren que trabajemos de balde aqui.

for life (lifelong) #de por vida, de toda la vida#Untitled3148 ## L. Am., Sp # We're friends for life. #Somos amigos de por vida.

for nothing #en balde #Untitled301#in bucket# L. Am., Sp # We did the work for nothing.# En balde hicimos el trabajo.

for one reason or another #por pitos o por flautas #Untitled3128#for fifes or for flutes; colloquial# Mex, Ch, Sp# We thought about getting together with our friends in the summer, but for one reason or another we didn't do it. #Pensabamos reunirnos con nuestros amigos en verano, pero por pitos o por flautas, no to hicimos.

to be for real (correct) #ir a misa #Untitled1885#to go to mass, slang# Sp; ser la neta Mex # What my father says is for real. #Lo que dice mi padre va a misa.

for sure #a ciencia cierta #Untitled793#for certain knowledge# L. Am., Sp; de piano (flatly) Mex, ES, Nic # No doubt about it. We know it for sure. #No hay duda. Lo sabemos a ciencia cierta.

for the real gourmet #para puro paladar curtivo #Untitled2737#only for the finest palate# Mex #This dinner will be solely for the real gourmet. #Esta cena sera para puro paladar curtido.

foreplay# el cachondeo #Untitled482#horning around# Mex, ES, Sp # What's love, my darling, without a little foreplay? #Que es el amor, mi cielo, sin un poquito de cachondeo?

forget it. #A otra cosa, mariposa. #Untitled2670#To another thing, butterfly.# Mex, DR, Sp # Forget it. I'm not interested in family gossip. #A otra cosa mariposa. No me interesan los chismes de familia.

to fork up money (spend it against one's will) #rascarse el bolsillo #Untitled3348#to scratch the pocket# Sp # Finally Sergio's grandfather forked up the money and paid for his university books. #Finalmente el abuelo de Sergio se rasco el bolsillo y le pago los libros de la universidad.


foul-mouthed (using strong language) #malhablado(-a) #Untitled2133 #badly spoken# L. Am., Sp; deslenguado(-a) (untongued) Mex, Ch, Sp #He doesn't seem like a professional. He's very foul-mouthed. #No parece un profesionaL Es muy malhablado.

four-eyes (person with glasses)# el/la cuatrojos #Untitled1034#four-eyes# L. Am.; el/la gafudo(-a) (big glasses-wearer) Sp # I put on contact lenses so they wouldn't call me four-eyes. #Me puse lentes de contacto para que no me dijeran cuatrojos.


four eyes are better than two. #Mas ven cuatro ojos que dos. #Untitled2230#Four eyes see better than two.# L. Am., Sp # Come with me to see the new house. Four eyes are better than two. #Acompaname a ver la nueva casa. Mas ven cuatro ojos que dos.


frankly and sincerely# con el corazon en la mano #Untitled952#with one's heart in one's hand# L. Am., Sp # Frankly and sincerely, I told them what I knew of their father. #Con el corazon en la mono, les dije lo que sabia de su padre.

freaked out (upset) #friqueado(-a) #Untitled1550#from English "freaked out"# Mex, DR, PR, Ven # I was freaked out when you didn't get here on time.# Estaba friqueada cuando no llegaste a la hora.

to be a free thinker (keep one's own opinions or attitudes independently) #no casarse con nadie #Untitled2513#to not marry anyone# L. Am., Sp # I listened to everyone's opinions, but I'm a free thinker. #Escuche la opinion de todos, pero no me case con nadie.

free time #los ratos libres #Untitled3356#free time periods# L. Am., Sp# What do you do in your free time? #Que haces en tus ratos libres?

freebie #la yapa #Untitled4111 ##S. Cone# Gracielita bought flowers for her mom, and as a freebie they gave her candy.# Gracielita compro flares para su mama y de yapa le dieron bombones.


to french-kiss# besar con la lengua #Untitled330#to kiss with the tongue# L. Am., Sp # Fernando tried to french-kiss me, and I didn't like it.# Fernando trato de besarme con la lengua, y no me gusto.


fridge (refrigerator) #el/la refri #Untitled3375#short for refrigerador[a]# Mex, G, ES # The fridge is empty. #La refri esta vacia,


from beginning to end (completely) #de pe a pa#Untitled2841## Mex, DR, ES, S. Cone, Sp; de cabo a rabo Mex, S. Cone, Sp # Felicia knows all the historical facts during the Spanish colonization and their correct dates from beginning to end.# Felicia se sabe de pe a pa todos los hechos historicos durante la colonizacion espaÒola y las fechas correctas.

from head to toe (entirely)# de (los) pies a (la) cabeza #Untitled2960#from [the] feet to [the] head# L. Am., Sp # She was dressed in black from head to toe. #Estaba vestida de negro de los pies a la cabeza.


from sunup to sundown #de sol a sol #Untitled3602#from sun to sun# L. Am., Sp # They worked from sunup to sundown. #Trabajaron de sol a sol.


from top to bottom #de cabo a rabo#Untitled458## Mex, S. Cone, Sp #She knows everything about it, from top to bottom.# Se lo sabe todo, de cabo a rabo.


full blast (at full speed, going great guns)# a toda maquina #Untitled3861#at all machine# Chicano, Mex, DR, G, Ch, Sp; a toda madre (at all mother) Mex, G, ES, Col; a todo dar (at all giving) Mex, ES; a todo lo que da (at all that it gives) Mex, S. Cone; a toda marcha (at all march) Mex, Sp# The game is going full blast. #El partido esta a todo lo que da.

to be full of life (look very healthy) #tener mucha cuerda #Untitled3769#to have a lot of cord# Mex, Sp # My father is 68 years old, but he is still full of life.# Mi papa tiene 68 aÒos, pero todavia tiene mucha cuerda.

to be full of oneself (brag) #darse paquete #Untitled1159#to give oneself package# Mex, G; darse coba (to give oneself flattery) Mex, DR, CR, Sp # Nora is full of herself.# Nora se da mucha coba.

full-fledged (complete) #hasta mas no poder #Untitled1789##L. Am., Sp # He's a full-fledged jerk.# Es un naco hasta mas no poder.


to be a fussbudget (fussy person) #ser un(a) fruncido(-a) #Untitled1552#to be a wrinkled-up person# S. Cone # Nobody talks to her at school because she's a fussbudget. #Nadie le habla en la escuela porque ella es muy fruncida. 


gab session #el cotorreo #Untitled992##Mex, DR, ES, Col #They were in a constant gab session last night and didn't let anyone sleep.# Estuvieron en un constante cotorreo anoche y no dejaron dormir a nadie.

gadabout (person on the go, out and about) #el/la pata de perro (pata'eperro) #Untitled2819#dog foot# Mex, DR, Nic, Peru, Bol, Arg, Ch # Francisca is a gadabout, she's never home. #Francisca es una pata de perro; nunca esta en casa. 


gaga (doting, proud) #chocho(-a) #Untitled758##Mex, DR, PR, CR, Col, S. Cone # He's gaga over his granddaughter.# Esta chocho con su nieta.

gang (mob) #la pandilla, la banda #Untitled2711 ##Mex, ES, U; la pacotilla G, ES, Nic, Ec; la panda, pandilla Col, Sp # A gang of slackers showed up. #Era una pacotilla de vagos la que llego.

gate (party) crasher (someone who shows up uninvited or gets in somewhere) #el/la colado (-a) #Untitled822#passed through a sieve#L. Am., Sp # Do you know those people? -No, they must be gate (party) crashers. #Conoces a esa gente? -No, seran unos colados.

gay (homosexual; pejorative) #el maricon#Untitled4199## L. Am., Sp; el gay L. Am., Sp; el pajaro (bird) Chicano, Cuba, DR CR; el mariposo, el mariposon (big or male butterfly) Chicano, Mex, DR, Col, Ch, Sp; el mariposa (butterfly) Mex, ES, Nic, Pan, Col, U, Sp

to be gay (homosexual) #jugar para el otro equipo #Untitled1971#to play for the other team# L. Am.; ser del otro ]ado (bando) (to be from the other side [band]) Chicano, Mex, DR, G, ES, Col, U, Ch; ser de la otra banqueta (to be from the other sidewalk) Mex, G; ser de la otra acera (to be of the other sidewalk or row of houses on the other side) Mex, Sp# Don't tell me! Jaime is gay? #No me digas! Jaime juega para el otro equipo?


geek #el ganso #Untitled1585#goose# PR, S. Cone (RVAR Ch: also, gansa and pavo[-a])# What a geek! #Que ganso!


to be a gem #ser una joya #Untitled1962#to be a jewel# parts of L. Am.; ser una perla (to be a pearl) ES, Sp # This girl is a gem; she cooks very well. #Esta chica es una perla; cocina muy bien.


to get a bright idea #encendersele el foco #Untitled1395#to have the lightbulb turned on# Mex, ES; encendersele el bombillo (to have the lightbulb turned on) Cuba, DR, PR, Col# Juana got a bright idea. #A Juana se le encendio el bombillo (el foco),


to get ahead# salir adelante#Untitled3490## L. Am., Sp #If you learn Spanish well, you will get ahead in your work. #Si aprendes bien el espaÒol, saldras adelante en tu trabajo.

to get ahead (of others) (take advantage) #hacerse el vivo #Untitled1749#to become the live one# L. Am., Sp # Don't try to get ahead of us (take advantage).# No to hagas el vivo.

to get all messed up (to get mixed up, to turn out badly) #estropear #Untitled4200##L. Am., Sp cuatrapear Mex # Everything got all messed up (on me). #Todo se me estropeo.

to get along okay# defenderse #Untitled1179#to defend oneself# L. Am., Sp # I don't speak Japanese very well, but I get along okay.# No hablo bien el japones, pero me defiendo.

to get along well (with someone)# llevarse bien (con alguien) #Untitled2059##L. Am., Sp # Juana and I get along very well. We are bosom buddies. #Juana y yo nos llevamos muy bien. Somos amigos del alma.

to get angry # enojarse#Untitled4201## L. Am., Sp # Don't get angry.# No te enojes.

to get around (seem to be everywhere)# salir hasta en la sopa #Untitled3500#to come up even in the soup# L. Am., Sp; ser como arroz blanco (to be like white rice) most of L. Am. # Felipe, we bump into each other again? You get around (seem to be everywhere). #Felipe, otra vez nos encontramos? Me sales hasta en la sopa.


to get beaten down (by troubles)# aplatanarse (also, aplatanado[-a]) #Untitled183##Mex, Col # Marcos has gotten beaten down and he no longer does anything.# Marcos se ha aplantanado y ya no hace nada.


to get by on a shoestring #comerse un cable #Untitled851#to eat a cable# Cuba, DR, PR, Pan # I've been out of work for three months, so we're getting by on a shoestring. #Llevo tres meses sin trabajo, asi que andamos comiendonos un cable.

to get carried away (to go too far) #dejarse llevar#Untitled4203## L. Am., Sp; agarrar viento en la camiseta (to grab wind in the T-shirt) U, Arg# We gave her permission to go out with her friends to dance, but she got carried away and didn't come home the whole weekend.# Le dimos permiso para salir con sus amigos a bailar, pero ella agarro viento en la camiseta y no regreso a casa en todo el fin de semana.

to get caught up with (be interested, enthusiastic, or curious) #picarse #Untitled2946#to become piqued# Mex # We got caught up with your talk because it was so interesting.# Nos picamos con to platica tan interesante.

to get distracted #distraerse #Untitled4204##L. Am., Sp; pajarear (from pajaro, bird; slang) Mex, ES, Nic, Col, Ch #You're getting distracted. Pay attention to me.# Estas pajareando. Hazme caso,


to get high # colocarse (con) #Untitled823#to place oneself# Mex, Sp # I got high on two beers.# Me coloque con dos cervezas.

to get hot (become heated; with anger or sexual desire) #calentarse #Untitled4205##L. Am., Sp # Don't get turned on. #No te calientes.


to get into a bind # meterse en un camote #Untitled4206#to put oneself in a sweet potato# Mex; estar metido(-a) en un rollo (to be put in a roll) Mex, G, Nic, Col, Ven, Ec, Peru, Sp # I didn't have the papers that I needed and I got into a bind.# No tenia los papeles que necesitaba y me meti en un camote.

to get into hot water (trouble)#echarse la soga al cuello #Untitled1356#to put the rope around one's neck# Mex, DR, PR, G, CR, Col, Ch, Sp# We got into hot water when we tried to help our son-in-law set up a business. #Nos echamos la soga cuando intentamos ayudar a nuestro yerno a establecer un negocio,


get lost! #Vayase (Vete) a freir esparragos! #Untitled4207#Go fry asparagus!# Mex, PR, ES, Ch, Sp; Vayase (Vete) a freir buÒuelos! (Go fry doughnuts!) Mex, Sp; Zafate! Mex, G, ES, Col


to get mixed up (get confused) #hacerse bolas #Untitled1740#to get balled up# Mex, C. Am.; hacerse camote (to make sweet potato) Mex; hacerse un ocho (to make oneself into an eight) DR, PR, Col; hacerse un taco (to make oneself a plug) Sp # Here I always get mixed up with the language. # Aqui siempre me hago bolas con el lenguaje.

to get mixed up with (get involved with) #enredarse con #Untitled4208#to get tangled up with# L. Am., Sp enrollarse con (to get rolled up with) DR, ES, Sp # We got mixed up with some kids from another neighborhood.# Nos enrollamos con unos chicos de otro barrio.

to get moving #menearse#Untitled2270 ## L. Am., Sp; ponerse las pilas (to put in one's batteries) L. Am., Sp; meterle mano (to put in hand) Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, G, Col; mover el esqueleto (to move one's skeleton) Mex, U, Ch, Sp # Get moving because I don't want to be late.# Meneate (Ponte las pilas), que no quiero llegar tarde.

to get nailed (involved in a bad situation or problem) #clavarse #Untitled805#to be nailed# Mex, PR, U # I trusted a friend, and I got nailed. #Confie en una amiga, y me clave.

to get nervous (to be on edge) #ponerse nervioso(-a)#Untitled4209## L. Am., Sp# I got nervous when I saw that he had still not gotten home.# Me puse de los nervios cuando vi que aun no habia llegado a casa.

get off it. (Don't exaggerate.) #Bajale de crema a tus tacos. #Untitled285#Lower or decrease the cream in your tacos.# Mex, Col; Bajale de huevos a to licuado. (Lower or decrease the eggs in your blended drink.) Mex, ES, Col; Bajale. (Lower it.) Mex, ES, Col #You don't like anything in this store? Get off it. #No to gusto nada en esta tienda? Bajale de crema a tus tacos.

to get off someone's case #dejarse de fregar #Untitled4210#to stop scrubbing# most of L. Am. # Get off my (his, her, etc.) case. #Dejate de fregar.



to get one's foot in the door (get into a house or business) #meter el pie #Untitled2299#to stick one's foot in# Mex, Sp# I've already gotten my foot in the door in the community. I'll work hard so that they will get to know me.# Ya meti el pie en la comunidad. Trabajare duro para que me conozcan.

to get one's way# salirse con la suya#Untitled3504## L. Am., Sp #Sara got her way and went with her friends to the beach without finishing her exams.# Sara se salio con la suya y se fue con sus amigos a la playa sin terminar sus examenes.

get out of here! (Get lost!) #Zafa! #Untitled4116 ##PR # Me Hugo's girlfriend? Get out of here! That guy is a dope. #Yo? Novia de Hugo? Zafa! Ese tipo es un sanano.

to get pissed off (to lose it) #encabronarse #Untitled1390##Mex, PR, C. Am., many S. Am. countries, Sp; cabrearse (to act like a goat, vulgar) CR, Ec, Ch, Arg, Sp # That guy gets pissed off over nothing. #Ese chico se cabrea por nada.


to get really into something (do something with great dedication) #meter la mano hasta el codo en algo #Untitled2302#to put one's hand up to the elbow in something# most of L. Am., Sp # Marina's work on that project is impeccable; she really got into it in order to get ahead. #El trabajo de Marina en ese proyecto es impecable; metio la mano hasta el codo para triunfar.

to get red hot (a situation) #ponerse al rojo vivo #Untitled3077 ##Mex, DR, PR, ES, Col # The situation got red hot because the minister announced that they would send troops to the war. #La situacion se puso al rojo vivo porque el ministro anuncio que mandarian tropas a la guerra.

to get rid of (avoid) #zafarse de ##Untitled3077 ##L. Am. # Get rid of that guy. He's a real idiot. #Zafate de ese tipo. Es un tonto perdido.

to get some shut-eye (sleep, nap) #planchar la oreja #Untitled2995#to iron one's ear# Mex, PR, CR, Col, Ven, Ec, Sp; echar una pestaÒa (pestaÒeada) (to throw an eyelash [a wink]) Mex, Ch; aplastar la oreja (to flatten the ear) Mex#As soon as I finish this report, I'll get some shut-eye. #Tan pronto como termine este informe, planchare la oreja.

to get someone into trouble #ponerle la soga al cuello #Untitled4211#to put the rope around someone's neck# Ch, Sp # Who got you into trouble? #Quien to puso la soga al cuello?

to get someone out of a jam (help someone) #sacarle a alguien de un apuro #Untitled3476 ##L. Am., Sp # You got me out of a jam yesterday. Thanks!# Me sacaste de un apuro aver. Gracias!


to get steamed (angry, to get pissed off) #sofocarse #Untitled3600#to get suffocated# L. Am., Sp; retorcer el higado (to have one's liver twist) Mex; picarse (to become piqued) PR, Col, Ch, Sp #Don't get steamed. #No to sofoques.

to get taken to the cleaners (to lose everything) #quedarse tirado (-a) #Untitled3309#to be left cast off# Mex, U, Arg, Sp# When we divorced, I got taken to the cleaners because she and the kids took it all. # Cuando nos divorciamos, quede tirado porque ella y los niÒos se llevaron todo.

to get the best (from) (take maximum advantage) #sacar el jugo #Untitled3465#to take out the juice# L. Am., Sp # Hernan got the best from his vacation. # Hernan le saco el jugo a sus vacaciones.


to get the picture (have a clear understanding of some situation) #tener clara la pelicula #Untitled3707#to have the movie or film clear# Peru, S. Cone, Sp# Now we get the picture about the political situation in this country.# Ahora tenemos clara la pelicula sobre la situacion politica en este pais.

to get (be) ticked off (to get pissed off) #hacerse mala sangre #Untitled1751#to make bad blood for oneself# L. Am., Sp; agitarse Mex, DR, G, ES, Col #Don't get ticked off. It's not so awful.# No to hagas mala sangre. No es tan tremendo.

to get to the bottom of something# tocar fondo #Untitled3849 #to touch bottom# L. Am., Sp #We have to investigate the situation until we get to the bottom of it. # Tenemos que investigar la situacion hasta tocar fondo.

to get to the point #ir al grano #Untitled1889#to go to the grain# L. Am., Sp; dejarse de cuentos (to leave off with the stories) L. Am., Sp; ir al rollo (to go to the roll) Mex, ES # Don't talk so much. Get to the point and tell me the truth.# No hables tanto. Ve al grano y dime la verdad.

to get tripped up (hit the pavement) #besar el diablo #Untitled4212#to kiss the devil# Mex, ES # Watch where you're walking, or you're going to get tripped up.# Ten cuidado como andas, o vas a besar el diablo.

to get up on the wrong side of the bed (have a day of bad luck or be in a bad mood) #levantarse con el pie izquierdo #Untitled4213#to get up with the left foot# L. Am., Sp # Today I got up on the wrong side of the bed. First I lost my keys and then I had a fight with my wife.# Hoy me levante con el pie izquierdo. Primero perdi las llaves y despues pelee con mi esposa.


get with the program. (Get a hold of yourself.; said when someone is acting inappropriately for the circumstances)# Ubicate. #Untitled3979#Find yourself.# Mex, DR, Col, Peru, S. Cone; Recogete. (Pick yourself up.) Mex, PR, Col


to be getting up there (old in years) #estar entrado(-a) en aÒos #Untitled1421#to be entered into years, euphemism# L. Am., Sp; tener abriles (to have Aprils) L. Am., Sp # How old is Facundo? -I don't know, but he's getting up there. #Cuantos aÒos tiene Facundo? -No lo se, pero ya esta entrado en aÒos.

get-together (bash) #la quedada #Untitled3284 ##Sp # They're going to organize a get-together this weekend. #Van a organizar una quedada el fin de semana.

getup (ridiculous dress, outfit) #la facha #Untitled1469##L. Am., Sp# You can't go to the disco in that getup.# Con esa facha no puedes entrar en la disco.


gigolo (playboy, womanizer) #el chulo#Untitled776## DR, PR, Pan, Col, Ven, Sp # Felipe is a gigolo; he never works.# Felipe es un chulo; nunca trabaja.


to give (someone) a hand #echar una mano (also, dar una mano) #Untitled1132##L. Am., Sp; echar una manopla (to put in a big helping hand) Mex, Col # Give us a hand and we'll finish the work sooner. #Echanos una manopla y terminaremos el trabajo mas temprano.

to give a lift (to someone's mood) #levantar el animo #Untitled2018#to raise the spirit# L. Am., Sp; dar marcha (to give march) Sp # That music gives me a real lift. #Esa musica me da mucha marcha.

to give a ride (from one place to another) #llevar (a alguien a alguna parte) #Untitled4214##L. Am., Sp; dar un aventon Mex, ES, Nic; dar un jalon G, ES, CR, Peru; dar pon PR, Col, Sp # They took me (gave me a ride) to the store.# Me llevaron a la tienda.

to give a ticket (fine)# multar#Untitled4215## L. Am., Sp; meter un paquete (to put in a package, slang) Sp # They gave her a ticket for one hundred euros for not wearing a motorcycle helmet.# Le metieron un paquete de cien euros por no llevar el casco de la moto.

give and take (back and forth negotiations) #tira y afloja #Untitled3822#pull and give slack#Mex, Peru, S. Cone, Sp #Ana and Leandro's divorce was very sad. They spent years in negotiations back and forth without resolving anything. #El divorcio de Ana y Leandro fue muy triste. Por aÒos se pasaron en tira y afloja sin resolver nada.

to give birth #dar a luz #Untitled1072#to give to light# L. Am., Sp # My wife gave birth today at three in the morning.# Mi esposa dio a luz hoy a las tres de la maÒana.

to give condolences (express one's sympathy) #dar el pesame #Untitled1091#to give the "it weighs on me"# L. Am., Sp # We have to go give our condolences to Mrs. Garcia and her family.# Tenemos que ir a dar el pesame a la seÒora Garcia y su familia.

to give hell to (to give someone a damn hard time) #armarle una de todos los diablos #Untitled4216#to make one of all the devils# L. Am., Sp; armarle un sanquentin (to make one a Saint Quentin) Mex # The bride's father gave the groom hell.# El papa de la novia le armo un sanquintin al novio.

give him (her) an inch and he'll (she'll) take a mile.# Le da el pie y le toma hasta la mano. #Untitled4217#You give him your foot and he takes even your hand.# L. Am., Sp; Le da la mano y se agarra hasta el codo. (You give him or her your hand and he or she takes even your elbow.) ES, S. Cone, Sp

to give in (give up)# darse por vencido(-a)#Untitled1160## L. Am., Sp; aflojar (to loosen up) L. Am., Sp; rajarse (to split, slang) Mex, Cuba, DR, ES, Col, Peru, U, Sp; amilanarse (slang) G, S. Cone, Sp; achicarse (to get small, slang) S. Cone, Sp; arrugarse (to wrinkle up, get wrinkled, slang) Sp # I give in. #Me doy por vencida.

to give in to (something) (go along with something) #alcahuetear #Untitled104#to procure, pimp# Mex, DR, ES, Col, Ch # That boy is a spoiled brat because his parents give in to him on everything.# Ese niÒo es un malcriado porque sus padres le alcahuetean todo.


give it all you've got! (for instance, at a sports event) #Echale ganas! #Untitled1307#Put in will!# Mex, ES; echale lo que hay que echarle! (Put in what has to be put in!) Sp # Give it all you've got! That way you'll finish your homework earlier. #Echale ganas! Asi terminas tus tareas mas temprano.

to give it one's all (apply oneself) #darle (duro) #Untitled1137#to give to it [hard]# Mex, DR, C. Am., S. Cone #Give it your all! #Dale duro!

to give it (some) time (to be patient, wait for an opportunity) #dar tiempo al tiempo #Untitled1120#to give time to time# Mex, DR, PR, ES, Ch # Give it some time and you'll see that things will work out. #Dale tiempo al tiempo y veras como se resuelven las cosas.


give me five! Put it here! (said in greeting before a handshake) #Chocala! #Untitled756#Hit it!# Mex, DR, PR, Col, U, Sp # Give me five, bro'! How're you doing? #Chocala, mi hermano! Como estas?

to give notice# avisar#Untitled1128## L. Am., Sp; dar un toque (to give touch) Sp # They gave us notice that we should evacuate the building. #Nos dieron un toque de que debiamos evacuar el edificio.

to give someone a damn hard time# joderle a alguien #Untitled4218#to screw or bother someone, vulgar# L. Am., Sp; hacerla de pedo a alguien (to make someone of the fart, vulgar) Mex, ES; hincharle las pelotas a alguien (to inflate somone's balls, vulgar) Ch, Arg, U, Sp; romperle los huevos a alguien (to break someone's eggs [testicles], vulgar) U, Arg; traer de culo a alguien (to bring someone by the ass, vulgar) Sp # Don't give me such a damn hard time. #No me jodas.


to give someone a hard time (to bug) #darle lata a alguien #Untitled4219#to give someone tin can# L. Am., Sp; hostigarle a alguien most of L. Am., Sp; jorobarle a alguien (to screw around with someone, euphemism for joder) Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, G, CR# These neighbors never stop giving us a hard time.# Estos vecinos no paran de darnos lata.

to give someone a lemon (deceive someone, giving them something inferior) #dar (pasar) gato por liebre #Untitled1100#to give [pass] cat for rabbit# L. Am., Sp#The camera I bought Monday is already broken; I think I got a lemon. #La camara que compre el lunes ya se estropeo; creo que me dieron gato por liebre.


to give someone gray hair (make them despair)# sacar canas verdes #Untitled3462#to bring out green canas, gray hairs# L. Am. # Those kids are giving me gray hair.# Esos niÒos me sacan canas verdes.

to give someone his (her) walking papers (to break off with someone) #dar pasaporte a alguien #Untitled1115#to give someone passport# Mex, ES, Sp; dar el boleto a alguien (to give someone the ticket) Mex, ES # We gave the secretary her walking papers because she wasn't doing her job.# Le dimos pasaporte a la secretaria porque no estaba haciendo su trabajo.


to give someone something on a silver platter #ponerle algo en (una) charola de plata #Untitled3070#to put something on a silver platter for someone# Mex, ES, Bol, S. Cone (RVAR S. Cone: en bandeja de plata ) # They gave Rogelio an offer for international work on a silver platter.# A Rogelio le pusieron en bandeja de plata una propuesta de trabajo en el exterior.

to give someone the cold shoulder (go out of one's way to avoid someone) #darle (un) esquinazo a alguien #Untitled4220#to hit someone with a corner# Arg, Sp; darle hielo a alguien (to give someone ice) Mex, Cuba, DR, Ch# I saw that jerk of a professor walking down the street, butt gave him the cold shoulder. #Vi a ese profesor tan pesado en la calle, pero le di esquinazo.

to give someone the creeps (from fear)# poner a alguien los pelos de punta #Untitled3042 #to put someone's hairs on end# L. Am., Sp (RVAR Sp: also, parar los pelos de punta) # Jorge told me what had happened to him and it gave me the creeps.# Jorge me conto lo que le habia pasado y se me pusieron los pelos de punta.

to give someone the lowdown (to air dirty laundry)# sacar los trapos al sol #Untitled3472#to take the rags or clothes out into the sun# L. Am., Sp # Give me the lowdown, Matilde. What went on between Juan and Julia? #Saca los trapos al sol, Matilde. Que paso entre Juan y Julia?


to give tit for tat# pagar con la misma moneda #Untitled2687#to pay with the same currency# L. Am., Sp # She behaved very badly, and now they're giving her tit for tat. #Ella se porto muy mal, y ahora le estan pagando con la misma moneda.


go! (at a sports event) #Aupa!#Untitled257## Sp # Go, Armstrong! Let's see if you win the race. #Aupa, Armstrong! A ver si ganas la carrera.

to go all out (try everything in times of trouble) #bajar a todos los santos #Untitled286#to get all the saints down, as if to pray to all of them at once# Mex, ES # What a big problem! We're going to go all out to try to solve it.# Que problema mas grande! Vamos a bajar a todos los santos para tratar de resolverlo.


to go along with someone (agree with) #seguirle a alguien la corriente #Untitled3541#to follow someone's current# Mex, DR, ES, Nic, S. Cone, Sp # This girl is crazy. It's better to go along with her and not argue.# Esta chica esta loca. Es mejor seguirle la corriente y no discutir con ella.


to go bar-hopping #hacer el viacrucis #Untitled1687#to do the stations of the cross, a religious event# Sp # We went bar-hopping in Madrid. #Hicimos el viacrucis en Madrid.



go figure. #Vaya uno a saber. #Untitled4022#Go to know.# L. Am., Sp; Vaya usted a saber. (Go to know.) Peru, Bol, Sp


to go from bad to worse# ir de mal en peor#Untitled1895## L. Am., Sp; salir de Guatemala para entrar en Guatepeor (to go from Guatemala [meaning "bad"] to Guatepeor [meaning "worse"]) L. Am., Sp; entrar bizco y salir cojo (to come in cross-eyed and leave crippled) parts of L. Am. # Since my daughter has had a boyfriend, things have gone from bad to worse.# Desde que mi hija tiene novio, las cosas van de mal en peor.

to go full-speed ahead# ir viento en popa #Untitled1905#to go wind at the stern# L. Am., Sp # My business is going full-speed ahead. #El negocio me va viento en popa.

to go flying off (go quickly) #ir volando #Untitled1906##Mex, G, ES, S. Cone, Sp # Let me have me two more minutes and I'll go flying off to pick you up.# Dejame dos minutos mas y voy volando a recogerte.

to go halfsies (split)#ir miti-miti #Untitled2361#to go half-half# S. Cone # Let's split the bill (like the old expression go halfsies).# Vamos miti-miti con la cuenta.

to go into the lion's den #meterse en la boca del lobo #Untitled2321#to put oneself in the wolf's mouth# L. Am., Sp # You're crazy if you go there. Do you want to go into the lion's den? #Estas loco si vas alli. Te quieres meter en la boca del lobo?



to go on a (drug/alcohol) trip #agarrar el avion #Untitled56#to grab the plane# Mex, ES; ester en pleno vuelo (to be in full flight) Mex, Col, Ec # You heard about Julian; he went on another drug (alcohol) trip.# Ya supiste de Julian; volvio a agarrar el avion.

to go on and on # repetirlo hasta el cansancio #Untitled3396 #to repeat it until tiredness# DR, PR, S. Cone, Sp # He went on and on about how I should get home early. #Me repitio hasta el cansancio que llegara a casa temprano.

to go out like a light (to crash, to hit the sack) #clavar el pico #Untitled804#to nail the beak# Mex, CR, Col, U; quedarse frito(-a) (to be fried) U, Arg, Sp; quedarse sopa (to be soup) Sp #The child went to his room and immediately went out like a light. #El niÒo fue a su cuarto y clavd el pico de inmediato.

to go out on a limb# aventarse #Untitled261#to throw oneself# Mex, DR, ES, Nic, Peru # Don't go out on a limb ... It's not worth it to take a risk. #No te avientes... no vale la pena arriesgarte.

to go out on the town (to party) #ir de juerga#Untitled1894## L. Am., Sp; ir de parranda L. Am., Sp; emparrandarse Mex, G, Col; irse (andar) de farra Col, Ec, S. Cone, Sp # Last night I went out on the town and now I'm very tired.# Anoche fui de juerga y ahora estoy muy cansada.


to go overboard (to go too far) #salirse de las casillas #Untitled3505#to go out of one's boxes# L. Am., Sp; salirse de madre en algo (to go out of the mother in something) Mex, Sp # You're going overboard. #Te estas saliendo de madre.

to go (somewhere) without having to pay #ir de gorra, ir de gorron #Untitled1893##Mex, ES # Paco always says he doesn't have money and goes places without paying. #Paco siempre dice que no tiene dinero y va de gorra.

to go steady# andar de novios #Untitled157#to go as [be] boyfriend and girlfriend# L. Am., Sp # Felipe and Carmen are going steady. #Felipe y Carmen andan de novios.

to go (swim) against the current #ir (nadar) contra la corriente#Untitled1883## L. Am., Sp # Berta goes against the current just to upset people.# Berta nada contra la corriente solamente para molestar.



to go to bat for (intervene on behalf of) #echar un capote (echar la capa) #Untitled1334#to throw a cape, as at a bullfight# Sp # Thanks for going to bat for me because I didn't know what to say to him. #Gracias por echarme un capote porque yo no sabia que decirle.

to go to bat for someone (defend someone openly) #sacar la cara por alguien #Untitled3469#to bring or take out one's face for someone# Mex, S. Cone, Sp # The only one who went to bat for me when I had a fight with my boss was Tomas; the others didn't say a thing. #El unico que saco la cara por mi cuando me pelee con mi jefe fue Tomas; los demas no dijeron nada.

go to hell! (all vulgar) #Vayase (Vete) a la porra! #Untitled4221#Go to the pot!# L. Am., Sp; Vayase (Vete) al carajo! (Go to the male organ!) L. Am., Sp; Vayase (Vete) a la mierda! (Go to shit!) L. Am., Sp; Vayase (Vete) a la chingada! (Go to the chingada, a violated woman) Mex, C. Am.; Vayase (Vete) a la verga! (Go to the male organ!) ES, Nic, Ven


to go to some damn godforsaken spot (far away, vulgar) #irse a la chingada #Untitled1915#to go to the chingada, violated woman# Mex, C. Am. # Ernesto? He went to some damn godforsaken spot.#Ernesto? Se fue a la chingada.


to go to the last resort# quemar el ultimo cartucho #Untitled3314#to burn the last cartridge# L. Am., Sp; jugar la ultima carta (to play the last card) Mex, Arg, U, Sp# No one dared to go to the last resort and the project failed.# Nadie se atrevio a quemar el ultimo cartucho y el proyecto fracaso.

to go too far (do or say something extraordinary or ridiculous) #botar la bola (pelota), botarla #Untitled381#to throw away the ball# Mex, Cuba, DR, PR# Martin is a fool, but Rafaelito really went too far! #Martin es un tonto, pero Rafaelito boto la bola!


to go with the winner (serve and flatter the most powerful) #arrimarse al sol que mas calienta #Untitled228#to put oneself by the sun that heats the most# Mex, Sp # Elena is very opportunistic; she always goes with the winner. #Elena es muy oportunista, siempre se arrima al sol que mas calienta.

to go without saying (to be obvious)#caer de cajon (also, ser de cajon) #Untitled497#to fall like a drawer# Mex, Hand, Nic, Ven, Ec, Peru, S. Cone, Sp # It goes without saying that Gloria is in love with Hector.# Cae de cajon que Gloria esta enamorada de Hector.


god damn it (to hell)! (all vulgar) #Puta madre! #Untitled3230#Mother whore!# Mex, C. Am., S. Cone; Puta la huevada (guea)! (Whore the bunch of testicles!) Ch; Hostia(s)! (Host[s]!, religious reference) Sp; Hostia puta! (Host whore!, religious reference) Sp; Me cago en Dios! (I shit on God!, very strong) Sp # God damn it! They stole my wallet! #Hostia puta! Me han robado la billetera!

god forbid! #Dios guarde! Dios libre!#Untitled1255## Mex, DR, PR, CR, ES, Col # The baby sick? God forbid! #El bebe enfermo? Ay, Dios guarde!


to be a go-getter (getting ahead)# ser muy vivo(-a) #Untitled2438#to be very clever# L. Am., Sp # These immigrants have been real go-getters; they have their own house and various properties that they rent out.# Estos inmigrantes han sido muy vivos; tienen su propia casa y varias propiedades que alquilan.

to be going around in circles (any which way) #andar como bola sin manija #Untitled148#to go around like a ball without a string# Para, U, Arg, # Tomorrow I leave for Spain, so today I'm going around in circles. #Mariana salgo para EspaÒa, asi que hoy ando como bola sin manija.

to be going great# marchar requete bien #Untitled2187 ##Mex, G, Para, U, Arg, Sp; ir/marchar sobre ruedas (to go on wheels) Mex, DR, PR, ES, Nic, Col, Ch, Sp # Everything is going great.# Todo anda (marcha) sobre ruedas.


good egg (person) #buena gente #Untitled416#good people# L. Am., Sp; buena onda (good sound wave) L. Am., Sp; un chile de todos los moles (a chili pepper for all sauces) Mex #Miriam is a good egg; we can always count on her. #Miriam es un chile de todos los moles, siempre podemos contar con ella.


good grief! (Darn!, Holy smoke!, Wow!) #Que barbaridad! #Untitled3240#What barbarity!# L. Am., Sp; Que barbaro! (How barbarous!) L. Am., Sp; Rayos! (Lightning rays!; a bit old-fashioned) L. Am., Sp; Valgame Dios! L. Am., Sp # Good grief! We missed the plane! #Que barbaridad! Perdimos el avion!


to be a good match (for marriage)# ser un buen partido#Untitled408## L. Am., Sp # You should marry Julian. He's a good match. #Debes casarte con Julian. Es un buen partido.

to be good-natured #ser un pan #Untitled2706#to be a loaf of bread# Mex, Cuba, DR; ser un pedazo de pan (to be a piece of bread) DR, PR, U, Arg, Sp; ser (un) pan de Dios (to be God's bread) DR, ES, U, Ch #Luz is good-natured. She always helps me when I have problems. #Luz es un pan. Siempre me ayuda cuando tengo problemas.

good riddance! (for people or things) #Buen viaje! #Untitled410#Have a good trip!# Mex, U, Arg, Sp # So she doesn't want to go to the club with us? Good riddance! #Que no quiere ir al club con nosotras? Buen viaje!



to be goofing off (fooling around or acting silly) #estar papando (cachando) moscas #Untitled2715#to be swallowing [catching] flies# Mex, U #They're goofing off instead of studying for their exams.# Estan papando moscas en lugar de estudiar para los examenes.


gossip (person who gossips) #el/la chismoso(-a) #Untitled4222##L. Am., Sp; chambroso(-a) (slang) Mex, ES; el/la copuchento(-a) (slang) Bol, Ch; el/la cotilla (slang) Sp # You're a real gossip. How can you look in my purse and then tell your friends about it? #Eres realmente un cotilla. Como puedes estar mirando dentro de mi bolso y despues contarlo a tus amigos?

to gossip# chismear#Untitled4223## L. Am., Sp; copuchar (to puff up cheeks, slang) Bol, Ch # You guys were there gossiping the whole afternoon.# Estaban alli copuchando toda la tarde.

gossips #las malas lenguas #Untitled2128#bad tongues# L. Am., Sp # The gossips say she stole money from her parents. #Dicen las malas lenguas que ella robo dinero de sus padres.


grabby (person) #el/la gandalla#Untitled4224## Mex, ES #Give him back his watch; don't be so grabby.# Entregale el reloj; no seas gandalla.


grass (marijuana) #la grifa#Untitled1617## Chicano, Mex, CR, Ec; la mota Chicano, Mex, PR, G; de la verde (of the green) Mex, Col; la hierba (grass) Mex, Cuba, DR, G, Sp #Stop smoking grass, man. #Deja de fumar hierba, hombre.

grease monkey (car lover) #el tuerca #Untitled3972#metal nut in mechanics# S. Cone # Ricardo and his friends are grease monkeys, and they spend the weekends fixing up their cars. #Ricardo y sus amigos son tuercas y pasan los fines de semana arreglando sus coches.


great to see you.# Dichosos los ojos que to estan viendo (que to ven). (Also, Dichosos los ojos.) #Untitled1248#Fortunate the eyes that are looking at you.# L. Am., Sp # Hi, Susana! Its been a long time since we've seen each other. Great to see you. #Hola, Susana! Hace mucho que no nos vemos. Dichosos los ojos.


to be the greatest (the best) #ser lo maximo #Untitled2070#to be the maximum# L. Am. # This music is the greatest! #Esta musica es lo maximo!


the Grim Reaper (death)# la pelona #Untitled2882#the bald one# Mex, C. Am.; la calaca Mex, ES; la calva (the bald one) Cuba, G, ES, Col# If you don't take care of your health, the Grim Reaper will take you. #Si no se cuida la salud, se lo va a llevar la calaca.


grind (serious student who studies a lot) #el/la cuadernicola #Untitled1021#from cuaderno, notebook# most of L. Am.; el empollon, la empollona G, Sp# Its another joke about a grind.# Es otro chiste sobre un cuadernicola.

gringoland (the United States) #Gringolandia#Untitled1619##L. Am. # The two brothers went to work in Gringoland.# Los dos hermanos se fueron a trabajar a Gringolandia.


to be gross (be disgusting, worthless)# ser un asco #Untitled235# #Mex, U, Arg, Sp #This food is gross. #Esta comida es un asco,

grouch (having a hostile appearance) #el/la cara de perro #Untitled597#dog face# Mex, PR, Sp # I didn't dare talk to the police officer because he looked like a grouch. #No me atrevi a hablarle al policia porque tenia una cara de perro terrible.

to be a grouch (to be bad tempered) #tener mala uva #Untitled3762#to have bad grape# Chicano, Sp; tener mala leche (to have bad milk) Mex, ES, Sp; tener mala sangre (to have bad blood) Mex, ES# What a grouch the owner of the gas station is! #Que mala sangre tiene el dueÒo de la gasolinera!

to be grouchy# echar chispas#Untitled1313#to throw off sparks# Mex, DR, ES, Ch, Sp # I'm always grouchy in the morning. # Siempre echo chispas por la maÒana.


guess what. #Que trees? #Untitled4225#What do you think?# L. Am., Sp

gutsy (brave, daring)# guapo(-a) #Untitled1631#attractive, gorgeous# Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, S. Cone; choro(-a) Bol, Ch, U # Adolfo is very gutsy; he's not afraid of anything.# Adolfo es muy guapo; no tiene miedo de nada.

to be gutsy (to be ballsy, to have balls, to have guts) #tener bien puestos los calzones #Untitled3689#to have one's underwear well placed# Mex, C. Am., Ch # Arturo's father is a gutsy guy. #El padre de Arturo tiene bien puestos los calzones.




half done (inconclusive, up in the air) #a medio palo #Untitled2256#to the half stick# DR, Hand, Nic, CR, Col # Let's not leave things half done.# No dejemos las cosas a medio polo.


to be half-starved (not have eaten)# estar en blanco #Untitled3310#to be blank# Mex, Cuba, G, (RVAR Mex: also, to have not slept) # We're halfstarved, not having eaten a bite. #Andamos en blanco, sin probar bocado.

halfway done (unfinished) #a medio hacer #Untitled2254 ##L. Am., Sp # The project is halfway done.# El proyecto esta a medio hacer

to be halfway there #estar a medio camino #Untitled2253#to be in mid road# Mex, DR, PR, Ch, Sp #You're halfway there; you've got only one more year until you graduate. #Estas a medio camino; te falta solo un aÒo para recibirte.


to be handy # tener mano #Untitled3764#to have hand# DR, PR, U, Sp; ser un manitas Sp# Andreu is really handy. He always manages to fix everything.# Andreu realmente es un manitas. Siempre consigue arreglarlo todo.


to hang on (get ready for a shock or surprise) #agarrarse #Untitled62#to hang on# Mex, DR, PR, ES, S. Cone, Sp # Hang on. Guess who called me last night?# Agarrate. Adivina quien me llamo anoche?

to hang out in the street #medir calles #Untitled4226#to measure streets# ES, CR, Col# Pablo is such a slacker; he's always hanging out in the street. #Pablito es tan vago; siempre esta midiendo calles.

to hang up (the phone) #colgar #Untitled4227#to hang# L. Am., Sp; cortar (to cut) L. Am., Sp # I have to hang up. Mom wants to use the phone. #Tengo que cortar. Mama quiere usar el telefono.

hanging in there. (getting along) #Tirando. #Untitled3825#Pulling.# U, Arg, Sp # How are you doing? -Hanging in there, as usual. #Como andas? -Tirando, como siempre.

hangover# la cruda #Untitled1016#rawness# Mex, C. Am.; la resaca (undertow) Peru, S. Cone, Sp # The day after the party I had a horrible hangover and couldn't work.# Al dia siguiente de la fiesta tenia una cruda tremenda y no pude trabajar.


happy as can be# encantado(-a) de la vida #Untitled1393#charmed or enchanted with life# L. Am., Sp # The children are going on an excursion to the beach. They're happy as can be.# Los niÒos van a la playa a pasear. Estan encantados de la vida.

hard cash #el dinero contante y sonante#Untitled1254## L. Am., Sp # They paid me in hard cash. #Me pagaron con dinero contante y sonante.


hardheaded (bonehead) #cabezon, cabezona #Untitled456#bighead# Florida, Mex, DR, PR, G, Col, Peru, S. Cone, Sp #Don't be so hardheaded. Listen to what your doctor tells you. #No seas cabezon. Escucha to que to dice to medico. 

hassle (disappointment, obstacle to success) #el bache #Untitled277#pothole# Mex, DR, ES # I wasn't able to finished my studies; stress was a big hassle. #No pude terminar mi carrera; la tension fue un bache grande.


to have a big scene (make a big scene) #armarse la gorda #Untitled210#to make the fat one# L. Am., Sp # When she found out that her boyfriend was going out with her best friend, there was a big scene (a big scene was made). #Cuando supo que su novio salia con su mejor amiga, se armo la gorda.


to have a blowup, have a brawl# armar o tener una bronca#Untitled203# # L. Am., Sp; rifarse Mex, DR, G, ES; bronquear(se) Mex, Col, Peru, U, Arg; tener una pelotera S. Cone, Sp # They had such a big blowup that their voices were heard out in the street.# Tuvieron tal bronca que las voces se oian desde la calle.

to have a crush (be in love) #estar colgado (-a) #Untitled826#to be hung, suspended# Mex, G, Sp# Marta has a crush on a guy from Cordoba. #Marta esta colgada por un chico de Cordoba.

to have a drink #tomar una copa #Untitled3896#to have a wine glass# L. Am., Sp # Let's go out, dear, and have a little drink.# Salgamos, querido, y tomemos una copita.


to have a few years on one #tener abriles #Untitled3680#to have Aprils# L. Am., Sp # She has a few years on her, but she's pretty.# Tiene sus abriles, pero es bonita.


to have a fit # darse (agarrarse) una rabieta#Untitled1150## L. Am., Sp; hacer una pataleta (to have a kicking fit) L. Am., Sp; hacer un patatus Mex, DR, PR, ES, CR, Col, Ch; hacer un berrinche Mex, DR, Col, Sp; formar un berrinche PR, Col, Sp; hacer un coraje Mex, G# The neighbor's little boy has a fit every time she goes to work.# El niÒo de la vecina forma un berrinche coda vez que ella se va al trabajo.

to have a fling #echar una canita al aire #Untitled1343#to throw a gray hair in the air# L. Am., Sp tener un ligue (also, to have a date) Mex, Cuba, ES, Sp; tener un rollo con alguien (to have a roll with someone) Sp # My cousin had a fling with her lawyer.# Mi prima tuvo un ligue con su abogado.


have a good one.# Que lo pase(s) bien. #Untitled3259#May you spend it well, said to someone who is leaving or about to leave.# L. Am., Sp # Thank you very much for visiting us. Have a good one!#Muchas gracias por habernos visitado. Que to pasen bien!

to have a good head on one's shoulders #tener buen coco #Untitled3772#to have a good coconut, head# Mex, Ch (RVAR Mex: more common, ser coco) # My sister has a good head on her shoulders. #Mi hermana tiene buen coco.

to have a good (bad) reputation# tener buena (mala) prensa #Untitled3696#to have good [bad] press# most of L. Am., Sp # Juan Manuel has a good reputation with the ladies (girls). #Juan Manuel tiene buena prensa con las chicas.

to have a good (great) time (to have a blast) #pasarlo(-a) bien #Untitled2795 ##L. Am., Sp; divertirse a sus anchas (to enjoy oneself to one's widths) L. Am., Sp # How was your vacation? I had a good time. #Como to fue en las vacaciones? -La pase bien.


to have a grudge against# guardar rencor #Untitled1636#to hold bitterness# L. Am., Sp; traer (tener) entre ojos (to bring between the eyes, meaning also to dislike) Mex, Ch, U #I have a grudge against him. #Lo traigo entre Ojos,

to have a hard time (have things go badly) #irle a alguien como en feria #Untitled1910#to go as in a fair for someone# Mex, ES; irle a alguien como los perros en misa (to go like dogs in mass for someone) Sp # I had a hard time with the exams at the university. #Mis examenes en la universidad me fueron como en feria.

to have a hard-on #presentar armas #Untitled3169#to present arms, vulgar# L. Am., Sp # Oh, my love, you already have a hard-on for me? #Ay, mi amor, tan pronto me presentas armas?

to have a heart of gold #tener un corazon de oro #Untitled3787 ##L. Am., Sp # Dr. Campos has a heart of gold and is dedicated to his profession.# El doctor Campos tiene un corazon de oro y esto dedicado a su profesion.

to have a heart of stone# tener un corazon de piedra#Untitled3788## Mex, DR, ES, S. Cone; tener alma de acero (to have a soul of steel) Mex, ES, Sp #Don't try to convince Pedro to help us. He has a heart of stone. #No intentes convencer a Pedro que nos ayude. Tiene un corazon de piedra

to have a hell of a time (to have a rough time) # pasarlas putas #Untitled2794#to spend them [like] sluts, vulgar# Mex, Sp # We had a hell of a time on the farm this weekend. #Las pasamos putas en la finca este fin de semana.

to have a hell of an accident# darse una hostia #Untitled4228#to give oneself the Host; vulgar, with religious reference# Sp # Alonso had a hell of an accident as he was running out. He didn't see that the glass door was closed.# Alonso se dio una hostia al salir corriendo. No vio que la puerta de vidrio estaba cerrada.

to have a hollow leg (be a big eater) #tener buen diente #Untitled3693#to have good tooth# Mex, DR, PR, ES, S. Cone, Sp # Ricardo has a hollow leg. He had two double-patty hamburgers and a strawberry shake. #Ricardo tiene buen diente. Se comio dos hamburguesas dobles y un batido de fresa.

to have a hunch (have a feeling about) #hacersele #Untitled4229##most of L. Am., Sp; latirle Mex, DR, PR, ES, CR, Col, Ch; ponersele ES, CR, Ch # I have a hunch that the other team is going to win.# Se me hace que el otro equipo va a ganar.

to have a knack for something #tener buena mano para algo #Untitled3697#to have a good hand for something# DR, PR, S. Cone, Sp #You have a knack for cooking. #Tienes buena mono para la cocina (para cocinar).


to have a lot of influence (to call the shots) #llevar la batuta #Untitled2048#to carry the baton# L. Am., Sp; tener banca U, Arg, Sp # Thanks to the influence that their father has, Ignacio and Rafael began to work in the national accounting office.# Gracias a la banca que tiene su padre, Ignacio y Rafael comenzaron a trabajar en la contaduria de la nacion.


to have a lot of nerve# tener mucha cara (mucho rostro, mucho morro, mucha jeta) # Untitled3769#to have a lot of face# Sp; tener mucha concha (shell) Mex, Nic, Pan, Ec, Peru; tener cara de cemento armado (to have the face of fixed cement) Sp # Juan has a lot of nerve. He speaks badly of Rosa but goes out with her. #Juan tiene mucho rostra. Habla mal de Rosa pero sale con ella.

to have a nice build (of a man; be muscular)# estar cuadrado #Untitled4230square# Mex, G, ES, Sp # He plays a lot of sports; he has a nice build.# Hace mucho deporte; esta cuadrado.


to have a rough time # verla peluda #Untitled4053#to see it hairy# Mex, ES, CR, Col; pasar las de Cain (to spend those of Cain) Mex, DR, PR, CR, S. Cone, Sp; verselas negras (to see them black) Mex, ES, S. Cone; pasarlas negras (to spend them blacks) Mex, S. Cone, Sp; pasarlas canutas (to spend them tubes) Ch, Sp #At this moment I'm having a rough time.# En este momento la estoy viendo peluda.

have a safe trip. (Have a nice day/time.) #Que te (le, les) vaya bien. #Untitled3276 #May all go well with you, said to someone who is leaving.# L. Am., Sp # Have a safe trip, dear.# Que to vaya bien, querido.

to have a screw loose (to be nuts) #faltarle a alguien un tornillo #Untitled1481#to be missing a screw# L. Am., Sp; caersele un tornillo (to have a screw fall out) Mex, CR, ES, Col, Sp; tener flojos los tornillos (to have screws loose) Mex, ES, U, Sp #Rosario went to the university in a party dress. -I knew it. Poor thing; she has a screw loose. #Rosario fue a la universidad con un vestido de fiesta. -Ya lo supe. Pobrecita; le falta un tornillo.


to have a windfall (luck out) #tocarle a alguien la loteria (also caerle or sacar la loteria) #Untitled3853#to win the lottery# Mex, Cuba, S. Cone, Sp # Alejandro had a windfall. His uncle left him a million pesos. #A Alejandro le toco la loteria. Su tio le dejo un millon de pesos.

to have bad luck # tener mala pata #Untitled3759#to have bad foot# Mex, DR, PR, G, ES, CR, Yen, S. Cone, Sp; tener mala leche (to have bad milk) G, ES, Col, Yen, Peru # I have very bad luck. Why did they choose me? #Tengo muy mala leche. Porque me escogieron a mi?


to have balls (be brave) #tener huevos #Untitled3731#to have eggs, testicles# L. Am., Sp; tener los cojones bien puestos (to have one's testicles well placed) DR, Sp; tener pelotas (to have balls) U, Arg, Sp; tener bolas (to have balls) U, Arg# You need to have balls to stand up to that group of delinquents.#Hay que tener huevos para enfrentar a ese grupo de delincuentes.


to have character (strength, aptitude) #tener madera #Untitled3753#to have wood# Mex, Col, Yen, Ch, U, Sp # Silvia has character.# Silvia tiene madera.


to have connections #estar enchufado(-a) #Untitled1399#to be plugged in# Mex, Sp; tener santos en la corte (to have saints at court) Ch, parts of Sp # My uncle has connections in the government. #Mi tio esta enchufado en el gobierno.

to have everything go up in smoke #irse todo en humo #Untitled1925##Sp # He was hoping to get back together with her, but everything went up in smoke.# Esperaba que volviera con ella, pero se fue todo en humo.


to have good (bad) luck in something #quedar bien (mal) parado(-a) #Untitled3288#to end up standing well [badly]# L. Am., Sp # How did it go with your new job? -I had good luck. #Como te fue en tu nuevo trabajo? -Quede bien parado.

to have guts (nerve) #tener agallas #Untitled3681#to have galls# L. Am., Sp; tener narices (to have noses, euphemism for cojones) Sp # Martin has guts.# Martin tiene agallas (narices).

to have had a falling out# estar peleados (-as) #Untitled4231#to be fought# L. Am., Sp # Maria and Jose have had a falling out; they aren't speaking to each other anymore.# Maria y Jose estan peleados; ya no se hablan.


to have heads roll #no dejar titere con cabeza #Untitled2538#to not leave a puppet with a head# S. Cone # I'm going to look over all the work and if it isn't good, heads will roll.# Voy a revisar todo el trabajo y si esta mal, no voy a dejar titere con cabeza.

to have it on good authority (from the horse's mouth) #saber de buena tinta una cosa #Untitled3451#to know something from good ink# L. Am., Sp; saber de buena fuente (to know from a good source) Mex, Peru, Bol, S. Cone # You can be sure that information is correct. I have it on good authority.# Puedes estar Segura de que esta information es correcta. Lo se de buena fuente.

to have it tough #tenerlo crudo #Untitled4232#to have it raw# Sp # You have it tough, friend. #Lo tienes crudo, amigo.

to have nine lives# tener siete vidas como los gatos (como el gato) # Untitled3783#to have seven lives like cats [like the cat]# L. Am., Sp; tener mas vidas que un gato (to have more lives than a cat) Mex, ES, U, Ch, Sp # DoÒa Dolores seems to have nine lives. Often she is seriously ill and then she recovers just fine. #DoÒa Dolores parece tener siete vidas como los gatos. A menudo esta grave y se recupera muy bien.

to have no part in (have nothing to do with) #no tener arte ni parte #Untitled2599#to have neither art nor part# L. Am., Sp # We'll start a new project, but the administration will have no part in it.# Comenzaremos un nuevo proyecto, pero la administracion no tendra arte ni parte.

to have no rhyme or reason (no order or logic) #no tener (ni) pies ni cabeza #Untitled2612#to have neither feet nor head# L. Am., Sp # The plotline of that movie has no rhyme or reason.# El argumento de esa pelicula no tiene ni pies ni cabeza.

to have no say (in a matter)# ni pinchar ni cortar #Untitled2486#to not pinch or cut# Arg, U, Sp; no tener vela en el entierro (to not have a candle at a funeral) Mex, DR, S. Cone, Sp # I have no say about the selling of the house. #En la venta de la casa no pincho ni corto.

to have no shame #no tener cara #Untitled2601#to have no face# Mex, Col, ES # These people have no shame and they keep robbing the poor. #Esta gente no tiene cara y sigue robando a los mas necesitados.


to have one's ears pricked up (ready for gossip) #estar con (tener) las antenas puestas #Untitled3710#to be with [have] one's antennas up# Mex, DR, ES, U, Arg, Sp # Pipe down. Here comes Elena, and she always has her ears pricked up (for the latest gossip). #Habla bajito. Por ahi viene Elena, que siempre tiene las antenas puestas.

to have one's hands full with something #estar muy ocupado(-a) con algo#Untitled4233## L. Am., Sp; estar metido(-a) hasta los codos en algo Mex # I've got my hands full with this project. #Estoy metida haste los codos en este proyecto.

to have one's head in the clouds (be daydreaming) #estar en las nubes #Untitled2643#to be in the clouds# L. Am., Sp # Carlos always has his head in the clouds.# Carlos siempre esta en las nubes.

to have one's life hanging by a thread (be in great danger)# tener la vida en un hilo #Untitled3742#to have one's life by a thread# Mex, DR, ES, S. Cone, Sp # The miners were trapped by a landslide, and their lives were hanging by a thread until they were rescued a few days later.# Los mineros fueron atrapados por un deslizamiento y tuvieron sus vidas en un hilo hasta que los rescataron unos dias mas tarde.


to have one's mind blank #tener la mente en blanco#Untitled3738 ## Mex, DR, G, Col, U, Arg (RVAR ES, Ch, Sp: estar con la mente en blanco) # The professor's questions were easy, but my mind was blank, and I couldn't answer. #Los preguntas del profesor eran faciles, pero yo tenia la mente en blanco y no pude contestar.

to have one's mind like a sieve (forget things)# estar como una regadera #Untitled903#to be like a watering can# Sp # This woman has a mind like a sieve. Don't waste time arguing with her.# Esta mujer esta como una regadera. No pierdas el tiempo discutiendo con ella.

to have one's mind somewhere else #estar en otra #Untitled2666#to be on another# Mex, S. Cone #Shall we go out on the town today? - No, thanks, my mind is somewhere else. I have a lot of to do. #Salimos de parranda hoy? - No, gracias, estoy en otra. Tengo mucho que hacer.

to have one's mouth watering# hacerle agua la boca #Untitled1735#to make the mouth water# L. Am.; hacerle la boca agua (to make the mouth water) Sp # You made empanadas, my darling? My mouth is watering. #Hiciste empanadas, mi amor? Se me hace agua la boca.

to have one's nerves on edge (to be stressed out) #tener los nervios de punta #Untitled3750#to have one's nerves standing# L. Am., Sp# She hasn't had news of her family, and her nerves are on edge. #Ella no ha tenido noticias de su familia, y tiene los nervios de punta.

to have one's tongue hanging out (with admiration, etc.) #tirar/salirsele la baba (por litros) #Untitled3827#to throw out saliva [by the liter]# Mex, Col; caerse la baba (to have saliva fall) L. Am., Sp # Your tongue was hanging out when you saw Esmeralda.#Se te salio la baba cuando viste a Esmeralda.

to have oral sex (vulgar)# mamar #Untitled4234#to suckle# L. Am., Sp


to have sex (screw around with; all vulgar) #echar(se) un polvo/un polvito #Untitled1348#to throw [oneself] powder or dust# L. Am., Sp; tirarse a alguien (to throw oneself at someone) L. Am., Sp; coger (to take, catch, grab) most of L. Am.; chingar (to rip, tear; equivalent of the F-word) Mex, Cuba, PR, C. Am., Col; pisar (to step on) Mex, Cuba, G, ES, Nic, CR; echar un palo/un palito (to throw a stick) Mex, Cuba, G, ES; echarse a alguien (to throw oneself at someone) Mex, Cuba, G;; clavar (to nail) Mex, Cuba, PR, G, ES, Col, U; parchar (to put a patch on) Mex, ES; apanar (to seize) Mex; follar (equivalent of the F-word) Sp; joder L. Am., Sp # After the movie we had sex in the car. #Despues del cine cogimos en el auto.

to have (sex) appeal (fascinate, captivate) #tener pegue #Untitled4235#to have glue# Mex; tener gancho (to have hook) Ch, Sp # This guy has appeal (is captivating). He'll never end up alone. #Este chico tiene gancho. Jamas se quedara solo.


to have someone at wits' end (to upset someone) #tener (traer) a alguien frito(-a) #Untitled3677#to have [bring] someone fried# Mex, DR, Sp # Daniela has got me at my wits' end with her behavior. #Daniela me tiene frita con su conducta.


to have sweet dreams #dormir con los angeles #Untitled1287#to sleep with the angels# Mex, ES, S. Cone # (Have) Sweet dreams.# Que duermas con los angelitos.

to have teeth chattering (be very cold or be afraid) #dar diente con diente #Untitled1087#to give tooth with tooth# L. Am., Sp # I saw a shadow in the window, and my teeth chattered with fear. It turned out to be my cat.# Vi una sombra a traves de la ventana, y di diente con diente del susto. Resulto que era mi gato.

to have that special something (charm) #tener angel #Untitled3686#to have angel# Mex, ES, Col; tener duende (to have elf) Sp # That woman has a special something, just hearing her speak you realize it.# Esa seÒora tiene angel; te das cuenta con solo escucharla hablar.

to have the barn door open (an unzipped fly)# tener la farmacia abierta (y el doctor dormido) #Untitled3736#to have the pharmacy open [and the doctor asleep]# ES, Sp # The barn door is open. (Your fly is unzipped.) #La farmacia estd abierta y el doctor dormido.

to have the gift of gab# tener un pico de oro #Untitled3794#to have a golden beak# most of L. Am., Sp # The director of the company has the gift of the gab and convinced the rest of the board of directors that the salary increase should be five percent.# El director de la empresa tiene un pico de oro y convencio al resto del directorio de que el aumento de sueldo fuera del cinco par ciento.


to have the lid blown off a story #descubrirse el pastel #Untitled1211#to discover the cake# Mex, S. Cone, Sp # Yesterday the lid was blown off the story. Now everyone knows. #Ayer se descubrio el pastel. Ahora todo el mundo lo sabe.

to have the right stuff (good character) #tener (mucha) madera #Untitled3753#to have [a lot of] wood# Mex, Col, Sp # Elizabeth has the right stuff.# Elizabeth tiene mucha madera.

to have the right touch #tener buena mano #Untitled3697#to have a good hand# DR, PR, S. Cone, Sp # Pilar draws really well. She has the right touch. #Pilar dibuja muy bien. Tiene buena mano.


to have the upper hand (to call the shots)# tener la sarten por el mango #Untitled3741#to have the frying pan by the handle# L. Am., Sp # I don't know if you realize it, but we have the upper hand. We can do whatever we want.# No se si te das cuenta, pero tenemos la sarten por el mango. Podemos hacer lo que queramos.

to have the world crumbling around# one caersele a alguien el mundo encima #Untitled516#to have the world fall on one# Mex, DR, PR, ES, S. Cone, Sp; caersele a alguien la casa encima (to have the house fall on one) Mex, DR, S. Cone, Sp # With all their family and economic problems, the world is crumbling around them. #Con todos los problemas familiares y economicos, se les ha caido la casa encima.


to have what it takes (strong character; be competent)# tener madera #Untitled3753#to have wood# Mex, Col, Ven, Ch, U, Sp; tener tablas (to have boards) Arg, Sp # You have what it takes to be a musician.# Tienes madera de musico.


health nut # el/la zanahorio(-a) #Untitled4123#carrot# Ven, Ec #Pedro is so healthy that everyone considers him a health nut. #Pedro es tan sano que todo el mundo lo considera un zanahoria.


the heart of the matter (the real reason for something)# la madre del cordero #Untitled2102#the mother of the lamb# Peru, S. Cone, Sp# You've gotten to the heart of the matter. That's really the important part of the problem. #Has encontrado la madre del cordero. Realmente esta es la parte importante del problema.

heart's desire (dream)# el sueÒo dorado #Untitled3637#golden dream# L. Am., Sp # My heart's desire is to live in a tropical country eight months of the year.# Mi sueÒo dorado es vivir en un pais tropical ocho meses del aÒo.


hello (on the phone).# Alo. #Untitled4236#Hello.# most of L. Am.; Bueno. (Good.) Mex; Hola! (Hello.) U, Arg; Diga., Digame. (Tell., Tell me.) Sp # Hello, [this is] the Rosales family. #Alo, familia Rosales.


henpecked man (whose wife orders him around)# el mandilon #Untitled2166#big commander, said in an ironic way# Mex, ES; el faldero (from falda, skirt) Mex, ES; el calzonudo (oversized pants) Mex, ES, Peru, Ch, Arg; el calzonazos (oversized pants) Ch, Sp # Hi, you henpecked husband, you. How's your little lady? #Hola, mandilon. Como esta tu mujercita?


hey there! #Oiga! Oye! #Untitled2651#used to get attention of passerby, waiter, etc. command forms of oir; Listen!# L. Am., Sp; Amigo! (Friend!) Mex, DR, G, ES# Hey there, I want to talk to you.# Oye, quiero hablar contigo.


to be a hick# ser mas del campo que las amapolas #Untitled2205#to be more from the country than poppies# Sp # Nico is a hick (a real country boy); he's never been in a supermarket. #Nico es mas del campo que las amapolas; nunca ha estado en un supermercado.

high (on alcohol or drugs) #acelerado(-a) #Untitled18#sped up# Mex, PR, G, Col, Ch, Sp; en nota (in note) Mex, Cuba, DR, PR; en pleno vuelo (in full flight) Mex, Col, Ec; cruzado(-a) (crossed) Mex; arrebatado(-a) (carried away) Cuba, DR, PR, G; colgado(-a) (hung, suspended) Sp # That dude seems high. #Ese loco parece acelerado.

highfalutin (stuck-up) #pipiris nais #Untitled2979 #nais is from the English "nice"# Mex, ES # Don't invite her (that one); she thinks she's highfalutin.# A esa no la invites; se cree pipiris nais.


to hit like a ton of bricks# caerle como piedra (plomo) #Untitled506#to fall on someone like stone [lead]# S. Cone # What we read in the newspaper hit us like a ton of bricks.# Lo que leimos en el periodico nos cayo como piedra.


to hit rock bottom #tocar fondo#Untitled3849 ## L. Am., Sp # It looks like the economy has hit rock bottom. #Parece que la economia ha tocado fondo.

to hit someone like a bombshell (arrive as a surprise, generally unpleasant) #caerle a alguien como bomba #Untitled495##Mex, DR, PR, G, ES, S. Cone, Sp# The news (The food) hit me like a bombshell.# La noticia (La comida) me cayo como bomba.


to hit the jackpot #tocarle a alguien la loteria #Untitled3853#to win the lottery; also caerle or sacar la loteria# Mex, Cuba, S. Cone, Sp ; encontrar una mina (de oro) (to find a [gold]mine, a way to live or get rich without working much) Mex, ES, Ch, Sp #Ese hombre encontro una mina de oro y se da la gran vida. # That man hit the jackpot, and he lives the high life.

to hit the nail on the head (figure out or be right about something)# dar en el clavo#Untitled1093# # L. Am., Sp# That's right! You hit the nail on the head. #Eso es! Diste en el clavo.


to hit the sack (go to bed) #meterse en el sobre #Untitled2319#to put oneself in the envelope# Ec, S. Cone, Sp; irse a la cucha (to go to the doghouse) U, Arg # I'm super-tired. I'm going to hit the sack pretty soon and I won't wake up for about twenty hours. #Estoy supercansado. Me voy a meter en el sobre pronto y no me despertare hasta de aqui veinte horas.

to hit the target# dar en el blanco #Untitled1092##L. Am., Sp # I hit the target! #Di en el blanco!



to hit where it hurts #dar en la madre (romper/partir la madre) #Untitled1094#to give in the mother [to break the mother]# Chicano, Mex, C. Am., Col; dar en la torre (to give in the tower) Mex, C. Am. # They hit him (her) where it hurts.# Le dieron en la madre.

hitched (married) #amarrado(-a) #Untitled129#tied# Chicano, Mex, DR, G, ES, Col# He's very young to be hitched already.# Es muy joven para estar amarrado.


to be homeless #no tener donde caerse muerto #Untitled2603#to not even have a place to fall dead in# L. Am., Sp; quedar en la calle (to be left in the street) Mex, C. Am., S. Cone # That poor man is homeless. #Ese pobre seÒor no tiene donde caerse muerto.


hoofing it (on foot) #a patin #Untitled2829#by skate, from a pata# Chicano, Mex, G; a pata (by foot of an animal) Mex, C. Am., S. Cone, Sp; a pincel (by paintbrush) Mex, Hond, Nic, CR #We went hoofing it to the clinic because there was a public transportion strike.# Nos fuimos a pata a la clinica porque habia huelga del transporte publico.

to hook (someone) up with# enganchar(se)#Untitled1410## Mex, ES, CR, Col; hater un gancho (to make a hook) S. Cone, Sp # Hook me up with her over there (introduce me).# Enganchame con aquella.

hooker (prostitute)# la puta#Untitled3228## L. Am., Sp #She's a hooker and I don't want to see her.# Es una puta y no la quiero ver


to be hopeless (beyond help) #no tener remedio #Untitled2614#to have no remedy# L. Am., Sp # What a case! It's hopeless. #Que caso! No tiene remedio.

hopeless case (someone very stupid) #el/la loco(-a) (tonto[-a]) perdido(-a) #Untitled2077#lost fool# L. Am., Sp # Felipe is a hopeless case. He doesn't know how to behave around other people.# Felipe es un loco perdido. No sabe comportarse en sociedad.

to be hopping mad #estar mordido(-a) #Untitled4237#to be bitten# Mex, G, CR; estar jeton, jetona (to be big mouth) Mex, G, ES; estar como un leon (de bravo) (to be [mad as] a lion) Mex, G, U; estar que ladra (to be barking) Mex, Sp # He's hopping mad because he can't go out. #Estd jeton porque no puede salir.

horny # cachondo(-a) #Untitled4238#vulgar; also, poner a alguien cachondo# Mex, ES, Sp; cabreado(-a) (vulgar) Mex, CR, Col, Sp; alzado(-a) (raised up, vulgar) Mex, U, Arg # You always make me horny (hot).# Me pones siempre muy cachondo.


to make (someone) hot (often with anger or sexual desire) #calentar #Untitled546##L. Am., Sp # Her look makes me hot. #Su mirada me calienta.



hothead #enojon, enojona #Untitled1415##L. Am., Sp; fosforito (little match) PR, Ven, U, Arg; el/la chinchudo(-a) (big ugly bedbug) U, Arg; acalorado(-a) (heated up) U, Arg, Sp # Constanza is a real hothead. #Constanza es muy enojona.

to be a hothouse flower (overprotected, not allowed to grow or be independent) #ser flor de estufa #Untitled1521#tto be a flower on the stove# Sp #Until she was twenty years old, Lucia didn't leave home for more than one day at a time. She's a hothouse flower. #Hasta que tuvo veinte aÒos, Lucia no solia mas de un dia seguido de casa. Es una flor de estufa.

to hound (pursue someone at all hours and in all places)# no dejar (ni) a sol ni a sombra a alguien #Untitled2536#to not leave someone in the sun or the shade# L. Am., Sp # That woman hounds her daughter; she's very dominating. #Esta mujer no deja ni a sol ni a sombra a su hija; es muy dominadora.


how are things? (What's up?) #Que tal? #Untitled3274 ##L. Am., Sp; Como lo llevas? How do you carry it? Mex, Sp # How are things? How are you doing?#Que tal? Como andas?


how can you think that? (disclaimer after a compliment) #Como cree(s)? #Untitled866##L. Am., Sp # How young you look! -How can you think that?# Te ves tan jovencita. -como crees?

how come? (For what reason?) #Por que? #Untitled4239##L. Am., Sp; LA son de que? Mex, DR, Ch, U, Sp # How come you had to tell her that you saw her boyfriend at the beach? #A son de que tenias que contarle que viste a su novio en la playa?

how delicious! #Que rico (sabroso, delicioso)! #Untitled3420##L. Am., Sp; Que delicia! (What a delight!) most of L. Am. # How delicious this dessert you've prepared is.# Que delicia el postre que has preparado.

how embarrassing! #Que verguenza!#Untitled4240## L. Am., Sp; Que bochorno! (What embarrassment!, What a heat wave!) L. Am., Sp; Que oso! (What a bear!) Mex, Col # How embarrassing! I began to introduce her to my English professor and I couldn't remember her name. #Que oso! Empezaba a presentarla a mi profesor de ingles y no pude acordarme de su nombre.

how exciting! #Que emocion! #Untitled3250#What emotion!# Mex, DR, PR, Col, S. Cone # How exciting to see him! #Que emocion verlo!


how should I put it (say this)? #Como (lo) diria? #Untitled857##L. Am., Sp; Como dire? most of L. Am. (not S. Cone) # What do you think of my decision? -Well, how should I put it? I think you are too young to get married. #Que piensas de mi decision? -Bueno, como lo diria? Pienso que eres muy joven para casarte.

how thoughtful (of you)! #Que ocurrencia! #Untitled3264#What an occurrence! What a thing to occur to you!# L. Am., Sp # How thoughtful! You shouldn't have spent so much money on the gift for Miguelito. #Que ocurrencia! Nunca debiste gastar tanto dinero en el regalo para Miguelito.

how wonderful! #Que emocion! #Untitled3250#What emotion!# Mex, DR, PR, Col, S. Cone # How wonderful to see you! #Que emocion verte!

how's it going? (What's up?) #Como te ha ido? #Untitled4241#How has it gone for you?# L. Am., Sp; Como te va? (How's it going for you?) L. Am., Sp#How's it going? When did you get back from the country? #Como to ha ido? Cuando llegaste del Campo?


humongous (great big)# gigantesco(-a) #Untitled4242##L. Am., Sp sendo(-a) Mex, C. Am. # They served themselves humongous plates of tripe soup. #Se sirvieron sendos platos de menudo.


to be hung up# colgarse #Untitled831#to hang, be suspended# Mex, ES # He was hung up on the telephone for an hour.# Se colgo una hora en el telefono.

to be hungry as a bear# tener hambre de leon #Untitled3729#to be hungry as a lion# Mex; tener un hambre de caballo (to be hungry as a horse) Sp # What is there to eat? The kids are hungry as bears. #Que hay que comer? Los niÒos tienen hombre de leon.

hunk (good-looking guy) #el tipazo #Untitled1041##Mex, DR, ES, Col; el cuero (skin, leather; also used for women) Mex; el churro (long doughnut or fritter) Peru, S. Cone # Jaime is a real hunk. #Jaime es un tipazo muy bueno.

hustler #el gavilan #Untitled1590#hawk# Mex, Col; el compadrito (little pal) Arg; el ligon (big linker, referring to a womanizer) Col, Sp # There are lots of girls at the swimming pool; that's why so many hustlers have arrived. #Hay muchas chicas en la piscina; por eso llegaron tantos gavilanes.



i believe so. (I should say so.) #Ya lo creo. #Untitled4104#I already believe it.# L. Am., Sp # Are you sure you'll finish the project by next week? -I believe so. #Estas seguro que terminaras el proyecto para la proxima semana? -Ya lo creo.

i can't believe my eyes! Incredible!# Si no lo veo, no lo creo! #Untitled3568#If I don't see it, I don't believe it!# Mex, ES, S. Cone, Sp # Salvador got mad and hit his wife. I can't believe my eyes! #Salvador se enojo con su mujer y le pego. Si no lo veo, no lo creo!

i don't give a damn. #Me vale. #Untitled4004 #used instead of Me vale madre or verga [vulgar].# Mex, ES, Col; Me la suda. Mex, Sp; Me importa un carajo. PR, U, Arg # I don't give a damn what they think. I'm going on vacation. #Me la suda lo que piensen. Voy de vacaciones.

i don't want to hear your life story.# No me cuentes tu vida. #Untitled2559 ##Mex, Sp# I'm really tired. I don't want to hear your life story.# Estoy recansado. No me cuentes tu vida.

i feel for you. (I feel your pain.) #Lo (La/Le) acompaÒo en su dolor. #Untitled37#I accompany you in your pain.# L. Am., Sp; Estoy con ustedes. (I am with you.) L. Am., Sp # Elena, they told me that your father passed away. I feel for you. #Elena, me dijeron que fallecio tu padre. Te acompaÒo en tu dolor.

i see. #Ya se ve. #Untitled4107#It's already seen; can be an expression of agreement.# L. Am., Sp # I see you've devoted yourself to taking care of your parents.# Ya se ve que to has dedicado a cuidar a tus padres.

i see what you're up to. #Te veo venir. #Untitled3666#I see you coming.# Mex, Peru, U, Arg, Sp; Te conozco, bacalao, aunque vengas disfraza'o (disfrazado). (I know you, codfish, although you come in disguise.) Sp # I see what you're up to. What are you looking for?# Te veo venir. Que andas buscando?


i swear (it) to you.# Se (Te) lo juro.#Untitled1980## L. Am., Sp# It's the truth, dad, I swear to you.# Es la verdad, papa, to lo juro.

i'll keep my distance. (Who cares about that person?) #Santo que no me quiere, basta con no rezarle. (Saint that doesn't like me, it's enough not to pray to him.) #Untitled3527#parts of L. Am. # Veronica doesn't want to see you anymore. -Well, I'll keep my distance (I don't want to bother with someone who doesn't care about me). #Veronica no quiere verte mas. -Santo que no me quiere, basta con no rezarle.

i'm ready to drop. #Estoy que me caigo. #Untitled1462#I'm about to fall over.# U, Arg, Sp # This week I worked eighty hours. I'm ready to drop.# Esta semana trabaje ochenta horas. Estoy que me caigo.

i'm screwed. (vulgar) #Estoy jodido(-a).#Untitled1955## L. Am., Sp, Me lleva la chingada. (The chingada, violated woman, is taking me. Euphemism: Me lleva el chile.) Mex, C. Am. #I'm screwed; my car is messed up. Me Ileva la chingada, se me frega el carro.

idiot #el/la tonto(-a) #Untitled4243#perdido[-a]# L. Am., Sp; el/la imbecil L. Am., Sp; el/la cretino(-a) (cretin) L. Am., Sp; el melon, la melona (melon) Sp; el merluzo (from merluza, hake, a kind of fish) Sp; el paquete (package) Sp # Don't get involved with him; he's an idiot.# No te metas con el, que es un tonto.

if I were you #yo que tu #Untitled4113#I that you# L. Am., Sp # If I were you, I wouldn't buy it. #Yo que tu, no lo compraria.

if you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas. (Keeping bad company will teach you bad ways.)# El que con lobos anda a aullar aprende. #Untitled1361#The person who walks with wolves will learn to howl.# Mex, Nic #Don't go outwith those drunks. If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas. #No salgas con esos borrachos. El que con lobos anda a aullar aprende.

if you snooze you lose.# El que pestaÒea pierde. #Untitled1363#The person who blinks loses.# L. Am., Sp # Trust in yourself because if you snooze you lose.# Confia en ti mismo, porque el que pestaÒea pierde.

if you want. #Como quiera(s).#Untitled891## L. Am., Sp #Shall we eat at that restaurant? If you want.# Comemos en aquel restauran? -Como quieras.

the impossible (overcomplication of something) #la cuadratura del circulo #Untitled4244#the squareness of the circle# Mex, Sp # They want to demonstrate the impossible. #Quieren demostrar la cuadratura del circulo.


to be in a bind (to have a rough time) #estar metido(-a) en un rollo #Untitled2326#to be put in a roll# Mex, G, Nic, Col, Ven, Ec, Peru, Sp # I have a big problem. I'm in a real bind. #Tengo un gran problema. De veras, estoy metida en un rollo.

in a damn godforsaken spot (vulgar) #en el culo del mundo #Untitled1057#in the world's ass# PR, Nic, Ven, U, Arg, Sp; en el quinto coÒo (carajo) #in the fifth female [male] organ) DR, PR, Sp; en la quinta puÒeta PR, Sp # Marcelino lives in some damn godforsaken spot (in goddamn Timbuktu); we have to take several buses to get there.# Marcelino vive en el culo del mundo; para llegar alli tenemos que tomar varios autobuses.


in a flash (in a hurry) #volado(-a) #Untitled4077#blown up high or flown away# Mex, Nic, Col # He got to the hospital in a flash.# Llego volado al hospital.

in a godforsaken spot (far away) #en (hasta) el quinto infierno #Untitled1791#in [as far as] the fifth hell# Mex, DR, PR, ES, U, Arg; en el quinto pino (in the fifth pine) PR, Sp; donde el diablo perdio el poncho (where the devil lost his poncho) S. Cone, Sp; donde Cristo perdio el gorro (la sandalia) (where Christ lost his cap [sandal]) Sp# My friend moved and I can't go see her because she lives out in some godforsaken spot.# Mi amiga se mudo y no la puedo ir a ver porque ahora vive en el quinto infierno.

to be in a good mood# estar de buen humor #Untitled407##L. Am., Sp; estar/andar de buenas (to be/walk good) L. Am., Sp; estar de/andar de/tener buenas pulgas (to be of/walk/have good fleas) ES, CR, Col, Ch, Arg, Sp # Today he is in a good mood. #Hoy anda de buenas pulgas,


in a jiffy (in the blink of an eye) #en un santiamen #Untitled3524#in the time it takes to say santiamen# L. Am., Sp; en una avemaria (in the time it takes to say Ave Maria) L. Am., Sp; en menos que canta un gallo (in less than a cock crows) L. Am., Sp; en un dos per tres (in a two by three) L. Am.; en dos patadas (in two kicks) Mex, ES, CR, Col, Peru, S. Cone#I can do it in a jiffy.# Lo puedo hacer en un santiamen.


in a little while# al rato#Untitled713## L. Am., Sp; al raton Mex, Col # See you in a while.# Nos vemos al raton.


in a ridiculous outfit #fachoso(-a)#Untitled1470## Mex #You're going in that ridiculous outfit? You have to change.# asi de fachosa vas a ir? Necesitas cambiarte.

in a sloppy getup (badly dressed, dirty, looking like a slob) #zarra pastroso(-a) #Untitled4129#from zarrapastra, meaning both mud and claw, implying dirty and torn# L. Am., Sp # And how dare he go to a sweet-fifteen coming-out party in a sloppy getup like that? #Y coma se atreve a ir a una quinceaÒera asi de zarra-pastroso?

to be in a tight spot (economically) #comerse un cable #Untitled851#to eat a cable# Cuba, DR, PR, Pan # I've been out of work for three months, so we're in a tight spot financially. #Llevo tres meses sin trabajo, asi que andamos comiendonos un cable.

to be in a (very) bad mood #estar de muy mal humor#Untitled2116## L. Am., Sp; andar/estar de malas (to go/be bad) L. Am., Sp; estar que me (lo, la, etc.) lleva el diablo (to be ready for the devil to take) Mex, DR, G, ES, CR; ester como todos los diablos (to be like all the devils) Mex, G, CR #She's in a very bad mood.# Y anda que se la lleva el diablo.


in (good) shape #en (buena) forma#Untitled415## L. Am., Sp # Don Cesar is in good shape for his age.# Don Cesar esta en buena forma para su edad.

in great detail #con pelos y seÒales #Untitled2884#with hairs and gestures# L. Am., Sp # I explained it in great detail. #Lo explique con pelos y seÒales.

in hot water (in a bad position or situation) #con la soga al cuello #Untitled3601#with the noose at the neck# L. Am., Sp; estar en la olla (to be in the pot) parts of L. Am.; en las astas del toro (usually used with dejar) (at the horns of the bull) Mex, Sp# They left us in hot water.# Nos dejaron en las astas del toro.


to be in knee pants (have little or no knowledge of something) #ester en paÒales #Untitled2712#to be in diapers# L. Am., Sp # You don't have experience; you're still in knee pants. #No tienes experiencia; estds en paÒales aun.

to be in one's element (enjoy comforts and conveniences) #ester como pez en el agua #Untitled888#to be like a fish in water# L. Am., Sp # I feel very happy; I'm really in my element here. #Me siento muy contento; aqui estoy como pez en el agua.


to be in seventh heaven (to be happy as a lark) #estar en la gloria #Untitled1599#to be in one's glory# L. Am., Sp #I'm in seventh heaven when it's cool out. #Estoy en la gloria cuando hace fresco.

to be in someone else's shoes (be in someone else's circumstances or situation)# ester en el pellejo de otro #Untitled2876#to be in someone else's skin# L. Am., Sp # You can't understand his situation because you're not in his shoes.# No puedes entender su situacion porque no estas en su pellejo.



to be in the clinker (in jail)# estar en la jaula #Untitled1941#to be in the cage# Chicano, Mex, Cuba, DR, Col; estar en chirona Mex, most of C. Am., Peru, Sp; estar a la sombra (to be in the shade) Mex, Cuba, G, Peru, S. Cone, Sp; estar en el bote (to be in the jar, container) Mex, Cuba, C. Am.; estar de vacaciones en el bote (to be on vacation in the jar) Mex, Cuba; estar en el tambo Mex, ES; estar en la cana (to be in a small space) Cuba, Ec, Peru, Ch, Arg; estar precioso (to be precious, humorous play on estar preso, meaning to be a prisoner) Ch, U # Mateo was selling cocaine, but now he's in the clinker.# Mateo vendia cocaina, pero ahora esta en la jaula (en chirona).


to be in the dark# quedarse a oscuras #Untitled3296#to be left in the dark# Mex, Ch, Sp; estar en ayunas (to be fasting) Mex, S. Cone, Sp #Eduardo's father is completely in the dark about his plans. #El padre de Eduardo esta completamente a oscuras de sus planes.


to be in the hole (deep in debt) #estar cargado(-a) de deudas #Untitled4245#to be loaded with debts# Mex; estar vendido(-a) (to be sold) Mex; estar endrogado(-a) (to be drugged) Mex, ES # Estoy vendida; no puedo usar mi tarjeta de credito. #I'm in the hole (deeply in debt); I can't use my credit card.

to be in the know# estar en el ajo #Untitled97#to be in the garlic# Mex, Sp# They know what's happening. They're in the know.# Bien saben lo que esta pasando. Estan en el ajo.

in the long run# a largo plazo #Untitled1994##L. Am., Sp; a la larga L. Am., Sp# They haven't studied the effects of that medication in the long run. #No se ha estudiado los efectos de ese medicamento a largo plazo.

in the meantime#por lo pronto, por de pronto #Untitled3101 ##L. Am., Sp # We sold our house in the country. In the meantime we'll rent an apartment in the city.# Vendimos nuestra casa en el campo. Por lo pronto alquilaremos un apartamento en la ciudad.

in the proper way (perfectly, as it should be) #como Dios manda #Untitled869#as God commands# L. Am., Sp# We're going to do it in the proper way (good and proper). #Lo vamos a hacer como Dios manda.

in the raw (naked) #en cueros #Untitled1042#in skins# Mex, DR, G, Sp; en carves (in flesh) Sp # The bathroom door was open; I went in and Jacinto was in the raw, shaving. #La puerta del baÒo estaba abierta; entre y Jacinto estaba en carves, afeitandose.


in vain #en balde #Untitled301#in bucket# L. Am., Sp # After the fire, they tried to recover the photos in vain.# Despues del incendio, en balde trataron de recuperar las fotos.

in your dreams. (sarcastic)# Ni soÒarlo.#Untitled2492 ## L. Am., Sp # Can I smoke here in the living room? -In your dreams. #Puedo fumar aqui en la sala? -No, ni soÒarlo.

in your (his, her) element# en su propia salsa #Untitled3622#in his or her sauce# Mex, Peru, S. Cone, Sp # With this new group of friends, Mario is in his element. #Con este nuevo grupo de amigos, Mario se encuentra como en su propia salsa.



it doesn't do a thing for me.# No me vuelve loco(-a). #Untitled2560#It doesn't drive me crazy.# Ch # The truth is that this restaurant doesn't do a thing for me. #La verdad es que este restaurante no me vuelve loco.

it never rains but it pours. #Las desgracias nunca vienen solas. #Untitled1220#Bad things never come alone or one at a time.# L. Am., Sp # I missed the bus, arrived late to work, couldn't finish my report on time, and I found out my girlfriend is cheating on me. It never rains but it pours. #Perdi el autobus, llegue tarde al trabajo, no pude terminar a tiempo mi informe y supe que mi novia me engaÒa. Las desgracias nunca vienen solas.


it was love at first sight! #Huy, que flechazo! #Untitled1517#Oh, what a shot of the [Cupid's] arrow!# Mex, DR, Col, U, Arg, Sp

it will do just fine. (One thing is as good as another.) #A falta de pan, buenas son tortas. #Untitled1476#Where there is no bread, cakes are fine.# L. Am., Sp # I don't like Amanda's food, but it will do just fine.# No me gusto la comida de Amanda, pero a falta de pan, buenas son tortas.

it would be a different story (for me).# Otro gallo (me) cantaria (cantara). #Untitled2673#Another rooster would be singing for me.# L. Am., Sp # If I'd studied math, it would be a different story for me. I'd be able to choose my course of studies. #Si hubiera estudiado matematicas, otro gallo me cantaria. Hubiera podido elegir la carrera.

it's a bitch (of a situation).# Esta cabron. (vulgar) #Untitled466##most of L. Am. # You're impossible. (Nothing can be done with you.) It's a bitch of a situation. # No se puede contigo. Esta cabron.

it's a deal. #Trato hecho. #Untitled3951#Agreement made.# L. Am., Sp; Sale y vale. (It goes/turns out and it's worth it; also, just Sale.) Mex, C. Am., Col; Juega! (Play!) Mex, ES, Col; Vale. (It is worth something.) Col, Sp # I'll buy your car. -It's a deal. #Te compro el carro. -Trato hecho.

it's a hopeless case.# No tiene remedio. #Untitled2614#It has no cure.# L. Am., Sp; Nadie lo (la) salva! (No one saves him [her, it]!) Mex, U#What a case! It's hopeless. #Que caso! No tiene remedio.

it's a lost cause. #No tiene remedio. #Untitled2614#It has no cure.# L. Am., Sp;Es como arar en el mar. (It's like ploughing the sea.) Mex, DR, PR#This is the third time I've cleaned the kitchen today. It's a lost cause. #Es la tercera vez hoy que limpio la cocina. Es como arar en el mar.


it's a scorcher. #Se caen los patos asados. #Untitled3533#Ducks are falling already roasted.# Ch #This summer is a scorcher.# Este verano se caen los patos asados.

it's a serious matter. (There's something very serious or difficult that has to be talked about.) #Son palabras mayores. #Untitled3612#They are major words.# Mex, DR, ES, Nic, Peru, S. Cone # We're going to talk some more about your decision to get married. Marriage ... it's a serious matter. #Vamos a hablar mas sobre tu decision de casarte. El matrimonio... ya son palabras mayores.

it's a sure thing. (used for promises) #Eso esta hecho. #Untitled1816#That's done.# Sp # Do you want me to paint your house this summer? It's a sure thing.# Quieres que to pinte la casa este verano? Eso esta hecho.


it's an ugly business. (situation)# Esta el asunto feo.#Untitled242## L. Am., Sp # What do you think of all the environmental changes in the last twenty years? -It's an ugly business. #Que piensas de todos los cambios ambientales de los ultimos veinte aÒos? -Esta el asunto feo.

it's at fever pitch (and getting worse).# Esta que arde. #Untitled197#It's burning.# L. Am., Sp #The situation in my house is at fever pitch. My parents don't speak to each other.# La situacion en mi casa esta que arde. Mis padres no se hablan.

it's at rock bottom. #Esta por el suelo. #Untitled3636#It's down on the floor.# L. Am. # The economic situation is at rock bottom. #La situacion economica esta por el suelo.

it's common knowledge. (It's understood.) #Ni que decir tiene(s). #Untitled2490#You don't have to say it.# Mex, Peru, Sp # It's common knowledge; we already know. #Ni que decir tienes; ya lo sabemos.

it's his (her) hobbyhorse.# Cada loco con su tema. #Untitled488#Every crazy person with his or her subject, usually said when someone is very insistent about something.# L. Am., Sp # Let's let him talk; it's his hobbyhorse.# Dejemoslo que hable; cada loco con su tema.

it's in the bag (said when something has been obtained or done). #Ese arroz ya se cocio. #Untitled230#That rice has already been cooked.# Mex, ES #What you planned is going well. It's in the bag. #Lo que planeaste va por buen camino. Ese arroz ya se cocio.

it's like a broken record. (same thing over and over)# Este disco tiene raya. (Este disco esta rayado.) #Untitled4246#This record has a scratch [is scratched].# Mex, DR, ES, Nic, Ch


it's not all that bad. #No es para tanto. #Untitled2540#It's not for so much.# L. Am., Sp # Don't get mad, Alfonsina. It's not all that bad. #No to enojes, Alfonsina, no es para tanto.

it's the damn pits (unbearable). #Esta cabron. (vulgar) #Untitled4247##most of L. Am. # I can't live with that woman any longer. It's the damn pits.# Ya no puedo vivir con esa mujer. Esta cabron.

it's the pits (in a bad way).# Esta por el suelo. #Untitled3636#It's down on the floor.# L. Am.# How's the situation at work? -It's the pits. #Que tal la situacion en el trabajo? -Esta por el suelo.

to be an item (a couple) #estar enganchados #Untitled1409#to be hooked up with# Mex, ES, CR, Col; estar empatados (to be tied) Mex, PR, Yen #Really? Ofelia and Pedro are an item? #De veras? Ofelia y Pedro estan empatados?


jalopy (old car) #el cacharro#Untitled4248## Mex, DR, PR, Col, U, Arg, Sp; la carcacha Mex, DR, G, ES, Col# It's time for you to trade in that jalopy for a new car.# Ya es hora de que cambies esa carcacha por un carro nuevo.

jam session# la descarga #Untitled1203#discharge, unloading# Cuba, PR, Col, # Fantastic jam session by the band. #Tremenda descarga la del conjunto.


to jerk around (to bug [pester]) #fregar #Untitled1544#to scrub, scour, rub [the wrong way]# most of L. Am. # They jerked us around again. #Nos fregaron otra vez.

to jerk off (masturbate) #hacerse (tirarse) una paja #Untitled1758#to make oneself a straw, vulgar# L. Am., Sp; usar Manuela, hacer el amor con Manuela Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, G, Col, Ch



jerking off (masturbation, vulgar) #la puÒeta#Untitled3214## Chicano, Mex, U; Manuela (pun on mano, meaning hand, as in usar Manuela) Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, G, Col, Ch; la paja L. Am., Sp

to jilt (to dump) #dar calabazas (ayotes) #Untitled1079#to give pumpkins [squash]# C. Am. # Poor Martin. His girlfriend jilted him. #Pobre Martin. Su novia le dio calabazas.

jinx# el gafe#Untitled1574## Sp # Every time Juan goes in the car with us something happens. He's a jinx.# Siempre que va Juan en el coche nos pasa algo. Es un gafe.


to jive-talk (feed a line) #cotorrear #Untitled991##Chicano, Mex, Col # He was jive-talking me, but didn't pay him any attention. #Me estaba cotorreando, pero no le hice caso.

job (work, slang) #la chamba #Untitled662##Mex, C. Am., Col, Ven, Ec, Peru; el camello (camel) Mex, ES, Col, Ec; el chance (chance) Mex, G; el martilleo (hammering) Mex, Col; el curro Sp # Gerardo got a good job.#Gerardo consiguio una buena chamba.


joint (marijuana cigarette)# el pito #Untitled2992#whistle, fife# Mex, Cuba, G, Nic, Ch; el pitillo Mex, G, Col; el canuto Mex, Sp; el porro U, Arg, Sp; el churro (long doughnut or fritter) Mex # He went out and smoked a joint. #Salio y fumo un pito.

to joke around (fool or goof around)# vacilar (con alguien) #Untitled3994##Mex, Cuba, DR, G, Pan, Col; bachatear Cuba, PR; gufear PR # He's joking around (having fun) with his friend.# Se esta vacilando con su amigo.


to jump for joy #dar saltos de alegria #Untitled1119#to give jumps of happiness# L. Am., Sp # With the news they gave her about her daughter, Susana was jumping for joy. #Con la noticia que le dieron sobre su hija, Susana daba saltos de alegria.

just a moment. #Un momentico. #Untitled2375 ##CR, Col, Ven # I'll be ready in just a moment. #Estare lista en un momentico.

to be just around the corner (about to happen) #estar al caer #Untitled494#to be to fall# Sp# My birthday is just around the corner.# Mi cumpleaÒos esta al caer.

just because (because that's how it is) #por real decreto #Untitled3132#by royal decree# most of L. Am., Sp #Just because her parents said so, Marcelina had to change the date of the wedding.# Por el real decreto de sus padres, Marcelina tuvo que cambiar la fecha de la boda.

just because I feel like it # porque me da la gana #Untitled4249#because the desire gives me# L. Am., Sp # Why are you running? Just because I feel like it. #Por que estas corriendo? -Porque me da la gana.

just for the fun of it (on a whim) #por gusto, de puro gusto#Untitled3111 ## L. Am., Sp # Just for the fun of it, I went to the mountains for three days. #Por puro gusto, me fui a las montaÒas por tres dias.

just friends (together but not bosom buddies or romantically involved) #juntos pero no revueltos #Untitled1978#together but not mixed# L. Am., Sp # Pablo and Silvia are just friends, not bosom buddies or romantically involved.# Pablo y Silvia son solo amigos, juntos pero no revueltos.

just getting by (so-so). #Aqui pasandola. (Por aqui pasandola.) #Untitled195#Passing it here.# Mex, ES, Col, U, Arg; Arrastrando la cobija. (Dragging the blanket.) Mex, ES, Col; Tirando. (Pulling.) U, Arg, Sp # How are you? Just getting by. #Como estas? -Aqui pasandola.

just goofing around. #Por aqui, vagando. #Untitled3098#Just here, wandering.# C. Am. # How are the kids? Just goofing around. #Como estan los muchachos? -Por aqui, vagando.


just in case #por si acaso #Untitled3136 ##L. Am., Sp; por si las moscas (because if the flies, slang) most of L. Am., Sp # Give me your phone number, just in case. #Dame tu telefono, por si acaso.


just right (exactly as one wishes) #a pedir de boca #Untitled2849#at the mouth's asking# L. Am., Sp; al pelo (to the hair) Mex, DR, G, ES, Ven, S. Cone #How nice! It came out just right, exactly as we wanted. #Que bien! Nos ha salido a pedir de boca.

just so you know# pa' (para) que sepas #Untitled2678 ##L. Am., Sp # Where are you going, darling? Just so you know, I'm going to the lawyer to ask for a divorce. #A donde vas, querida? -Para que sepas, voy al abogado a pedir el divorcio.

just the opposite# todo lo contrario #Untitled3871#all the contrary# L. Am., Sp #You don't like Caribbean food? -Just the opposite, I love it, but don't feel so good today. #No to gusto la comida caribeÒa? -Todo lo contrario, me encanta, pero no me siento bien hoy.


to keep doing the same thing (persist in an opinion or in doing something)# seguir/mantenerse en sus trece #Untitled2180#to keep in one's thirteen# L. Am, Sp # He kept doing the same thing despite the circumstances. #Se mantuvo en sus trece a pesar de las circunstancias.


to keep one's lips sealed (keep a secret or keep quiet) #poner un candado a la boca #Untitled3066#to put a lock on one's mouth# Mex, DR, U, Arg, Sp # Keep your lips sealed. #Ponte un candado a la boca.


to keep plugging along (move on) #echar pa'lante #Untitled1329#to throw forward# DR, PR, Col, Ven, Ch #The situation is very difficult, but we (you, they, etc.) have to keep plugging along (going forward).# La situacion es muy dificil, pero hay que echar palante.

to keep someone on the run (busy or upset) #traer a alguien de aca para alla (aqui para alli) #Untitled3919#to bring someone from here to there# Mex, DR, PR, U, Arg, Sp # My oneyear-old son keeps me on the run. #Mi niÒo de un aÒo me trae de aca para alla.


to keep under wraps (in secret) #mantener en secreto #Untitled4250#to keep in secret# L. Am., Sp #She kept the document under wraps. #Mantuvo el documento en secreto.

kick (amusing thing someone does or clever or cutting remark)# la puntada #Untitled3207 ##Mex, ES #What a kick it was to do that singing at the party.# Que gran puntada la de cantar en la fiesta

to kick (someone) out #echar#Untitled4251## L. Am., Sp; correr (to run) Mex, C. Am., U, Arg; echar a escobazos (to throw out with sweeps of a broom, slang) Mex, Sp # I kicked out a salesman who came to the door because he was very insolent. #Eche a escobazos a un vendedor que vino a la puerta porque fue muy insolente.

to kick someone when he or she is down #hacer leÒa del arbol caido #Untitled1702#to make firewood from the fallen tree# Ch # After the bankruptcy, everyone tried to kick him when he was down, and Gonzalo became seriously ill. #Despues de la bancarrota, todos trataron de hacer leÒa del arbol caido, y Gonzalo se enfermo seriamente.

to kick the bucket (die)# estirar la pata #Untitled1457#to stretch out one's foot# L. Am., Sp; colgar los tenis (to hang up one's tennis shoes) Mex, DR, C. Am., Peru; espantar la mula (to scare off the mule) Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, CR; dejar el pellejo (to leave one's hide or skin) Mex, Sp; colgar los guantes (to hang up the gloves) ES, Nic, Sp; cerrar el paraguas (to close the umbrella) CR; palmarla Sp # Caty's little dog kicked the bucket. #El perrito de Caty colgo los tenis. 

kicking and screaming (with great effort)# a jalones y estirones #Untitled1936#at pulls and stretches# Mex # I took her to mass kicking and screaming. #A jalones y estirones la lleve a misa.

kid #el/la mocoso(-a) #Untitled2364#with a runny nose, somewhat pejorative# L. Am., Sp; el chiquitin, la chiquitina most of L. Am., Sp; el/la chamaco(-a) (also, chamaquito[-a]) Chicano, Mex, Cuba, PR, ES, CR; el/la chavito(-a) (diminutive of chavo(-a)) Chicano, Mex, G, ES; el/la chavo(-a) Chicano, Mex, G, ES, Col; el/la buqui Chicano; el/la bicho(-a) (bug, beast) ES, Sp; el/la carajillo(-a) (diminutive of carajo; vulgar) Nic, CR; el/la cipote(-a) G, Hand, ES, Nic; el/la carajito(-a) (diminutive of carajo; vulgar) DR, Ven; el/la pibe(-a) Col, Ven, U, Arg; el/la chibolo(-a) (ball) Peru; el chiquilin, la chiquilina U, Arg; el/la pendejo(-a) (pubic hair; vulgar and offensive in many places) Arg# Lets take the kids to the park.# Vamos a llevar a los chiquitines al parque.


child #el/la nene(-a)#Untitled2456 #used instead of niÒo(-a)# Mex, PR,G, Col, Para, U, Arg, Sp # My friend's oldest child is named Pedro Martin. #El nene mayor de mi amiga se llama Pedro Martin.


to kill two birds with one stone (achieve two goals at once)# matar dos pajaros de un tiro #Untitled2237#to kill two birds with one shot# L. Am., Sp # By inviting mom to live here, I'll kill two birds with one stone because she'll be happier and I'll have someone to watch the kids.# Invitando a mama a vivir aqui, mato dos pajaros de un tiro porque ella estara mas feliz y yo tendre a alguien que cuide a los chiquitines.

kind of weird (possibly gay) #medio raro #Untitled2257#sort of unusual# Mex, DR, ES, S. Cone, Sp # I think that guy is kind of weird. He acts a little funny. #Creo que ese chico es medio raro. Tiene un comportamiento extraÒo.

to kiss someone's ass #lamer el culo (trasero) a alguien #Untitled1987#to kiss someone's ass [rear], vulgar# Mex, ES, S. Cone, Sp # He's (She's) still there, kissing the teacher's ass.# Sigue ahi, lamiendole el culo a la profesora.


kisser (mouth, face) #la jeta #Untitled4252##most of L. Am., Sp # If you come closer, I'll punch you in the kisser.# Si te acercas, te rompo la jeta.

kitty (pool of money to buy something collectively) #la coperacha#Untitled945# # Mex, G, ES; la vaca (cow) Mex, la chancha (pig) Peru, Ch; el serrucho (saw) DR, PR# People, it's a collective effort, everyone puts fifteen pesos (in the kitty).# SeÒores, es un serrucho: cada uno pone quince pesos.

to be a klutz #tener manos de hacha #Untitled3766#to have hachet hands# Ch; ser un manazas Sp; ser un zafio Sp# Felipe tried to fix things and messed them up more. He's a klutz. #Felipe intento arreglar el asunto y lo estroped mas. Es un manazas.

to be klutzy #ser paleta #Untitled2700#to be a little shovel# Sp # I'm a bit klutzy at peeling the orange with a fork and knife.# Soy un poco paleta para pelar la naranja con tenedor y cuchillo.


to knock out of kilter (rattle) #sacar de onda #Untitled3464#to take from the sound wave# L. Am. # I'm sorry. It's just that you knocked me out of kilter.# Lo siento. Es que me sacaste de onda.

to knock someone for a loop (leave someone unable to respond) #dejar planchado(-a) a alguien #Untitled1192#to leave someone ironed# Sp # The coach knocked us for a loop. We couldn't even speak.# El entrenador nos dejo planchados a todos. No podiamos ni hablar.


to know (some) one's limits (know what is suitable or appropriate for one) #saber donde le aprieta el zapato #Untitled3453#to know where the shoe is too tight# L. Am., Sp # The contractor knew his limits and didn't accept the contract. #El contratista sabia donde le apretaba el zapato y no acepto el contrato.

to know the score# estar en el ajo #Untitled97#to be in the garlic# Mex, Sp # They know what's happening. They know the score.# Bien saben to que esta pasando. Estan en el ajo.

to know to a "T" (have knowledge at one's fingertips) #saber al dedillo #Untitled3449#to know to the little finger# Mex, U, Sp # Rosa knew her part to a T. That's why they gave it to her. #Rosa se sabia el papel al dedillo. Por eso se lo dieron.

to know what someone's Achilles heel (weak point) is# saber de que pie cojea alguien #Untitled3452#to know what foot someone is limping on# L. Am., Sp # They know management's Achilles heel. That's why they're going to wait to ask for a raise until just before Christmas.# Saben de que pie cojea la gerencia. Por eso van a esperar para pedir aumento de sueldo hasta antes de Navidad.

know-it-all #sabiondo(-a)#Untitled3456## L. Am. # She thinks she has all the answers. She acts like a know-it-all.# Ella se cree que tiene todas las respuestas. Se las da de sabionda.



lady-killer (guy who is or thinks he is attractive to women)# el castigador #Untitled637#punisher# Chicano, Mex, DR, PR, Col # Juan is a ladykiller, he has me going crazy.# Juan es un castigador, me tiene loco.

laid back (letting others do things)# atenido (-a)#Untitled246# Mex, ES, CR# That kid is very laid back; he doesn't like to do anything.# Ese chico es muy atenido; no le gusta hacer nada.#

to land on one's feet# quedar bien parado (-a) #Untitled3288#to end up standing well# L. Am., Sp; caer parado(-a) #to fall standing up# DR, ES, S. Cone # At work Mario made a big mistake but managed to solve the problem. What luck! He landed on his feet. #En la oficina Mario metio la pata pero pudo solucionar el problema. Que suerte! Cayo parado.

to be the last straw #ser el colmo #Untitled833#to be the culmination# L. Am., Sp; ser la ultima gota (to be the last drop) Sp # The last straw was when they put me to work in the kitchen.# La ultima gota fue cuando me pusieron a trabajar en la cocina.


to laugh one's ass off #cagarse de la risa, estar cagado(-a) de la risa #Untitled528#to shit from laughter, vulgar# Mex, ES, Ven, S. Cone# We laughed our asses off hearing his stories. #Nos cagamos de la risa escuchando sus historias.


to lay it out (explain)# barajar #Untitled306#to shuffle# Mex, DR, PR, Hand, G, ES, Col # I don't understand; lay it out for me (lay it out more slowly for me). #No entiendo; barajame eso (barajemela mas despacio).

to lay things out clearly (to put one's cards on the table) #poner los puntos sobre la mesa #Untitled3060#to put one's points on the table# Mex, G # Let's lay things out clearly. I think there are a lot of things that you don't know.# Pongamos los puntos sobre la mesa. Creo que hay muchas cosas que ustedes no saben.

lazy bastard (uncooperative person who takes no initiative; very vulgar, commonly used in masculine) #el/la culero(-a) #Untitled1054##Chicano, Mex, C. Am. # Those lazy bastards did nothing to help us.# Esos culeros no hicieron nada para ayudarnos.

lazy bum (useless person, vulgar) #el huevon, la huevona #Untitled1859#big egg, meaning with large, heavy testicles# Mex, Cuba, C. Am. (not CR), Ven (RVAR CR, S. Cone: this word means "idiot") # Rolando is a lazy bum; he doesn't like to work. #Rolando es un huevon; no le gusta trabajar.

lazybones #el/la zangano(-a) #Untitled4124#drone# Mex, most of C. Am., Col, Peru, S. Cone, Sp # Fernandina is a lazybones. She doesn't do anything, and she waits for someone else to do her job. #Fernandina es una zangana. No hace nada y espera que los demos hagan su trabajo.


to lead someone on (encourage) #darle alas a alguien #Untitled1073#to give someone wings# Mex, DR, S. Cone, Sp #Don't keep leading Marcelo on. #No le sigas dando alas a Marcelo.


to leave nothing standing (destroy completely)# no dejar piedra sobre piedra #Untitled2537#to not leave stone upon stone# Mex, DR, U, Sp #The crime scene investigators left nothing standing. #Los investigadores del crimen no dejaron piedra sobre piedra.

to lecture at (preach to) #mandarse un discurso #Untitled2164#to give a speech# L. Am.; dar una cantaleta Mex, DR, C. Am., Col, Peru # The boss lectured for an hour.# El patron se mando un discurso de una hora.


to be left holding the bag #pagar los platos rotos #Untitled2690#to pay for the broken plates# L. Am.,Sp; pagar el pato (los patos) (to pay for the duck[s]) Mex, Nic, S. Cone, Sp; pagar los vidrios rotos (to pay for the broken windows) Mex, Sp # They caused the problem, but I was left holding the bag. #Ellos causaron el problema, pero yo pague los platos rotos.

to be left in the lurch# quedarse en la estacada #Untitled3302#to end up in the stockade# Bol, Ch, U, Sp # The investors were left in the lurch, without their money.# Los inversionistas se quedaron en la estacada, sin su dinero.


leftovers #el recalentado #Untitled3367#reheated# Mex, ES, Col # Miriam loves leftovers.# A Miriam le encantan los recalentados.


to let go (ignore) #pasar por alto #Untitled2791 ##Mex, DR, PR, ES, S. Cone, Sp; irsele por alto Mex, ES, CR, U # This time I'm going to let your insults go, but don't let it happen again. #Esta vez voy a pasar por alto tus insultos, pero que sea la ultima vez.


to let one's hair down# echar una canita al aire #Untitled1343#to throw a gray hair in the air# Mex, DR, PR, ES, S. Cone, Sp# The conference delegates let their hair down.# Los delegados al congreso echaron algunas canitas al aire.

let that be a lesson for you. #Mirate en ese espejo. #Untitled2354#Look at yourself in that mirror.# Mex, DR, ES, U, Arg # Because of the accident on his motorcycle, Juan is paralyzed. Let that be a lesson for you, my girl.# A causa del accidente en su moto, Juan esta paralizado. Mirate en ese espejo, hija.

to let the cat out of the bag# levantar la liebre #Untitled4253#to raise up the hare# parts of L. Am., Sp; soltar la cuerda (to let go of or loosen the cord) Mex, Sp; echar de cabeza (to turn upside down) Mex # The guy they arrested let the cat out of the bag, and the police found the rest of the criminals.# El detenido solto la cuerda, y la policia encontro al resto de los delincuentes.

let's beat it! (said when something comes to an end or something crazy or scandalous happens)# Apaga y vamonos. #Untitled173#Turn off and let's go.# L. Am., Sp# Guess who came. Felipe, drunk! -Let's beat it because he's always a drag when he's like that.# Adivina quien llego. Felipe, borracho! -Apaga y vamonos que siempre se pone pesado cuando esta asi.


let's chill out. (Don't cause trouble.) #Tengamos la fiesta en paz. #Untitled3802#Let's have the party in peace.# DR, ES, Sp # Let's not talk about this anymore. Let's chill out.# No discutamos mas. Tengamos la fiesta en paz.

let's get down to business. (Let's go to it.) #Al agua, patos. #Untitled71#To the water, ducks.# Mex, DR, ES, S. Cone, Sp # Let's not lose any more time. (Time's a-wastin'!) Let's get down to business. #No perdamos mas tiempo. Al agua, patos!

let's not air dirty laundry in public.# La ropa sucia se lava en casa. #Untitled3440#Dirty clothes are washed at home.# Mex, ES, S. Cone, Sp # Please don't talk that way about your brother, let's not air dirty laundry in public. #Por favor no hables asi de tu hermano; la ropa sucia se lava en casa.

let's show a little respect. (polite way of criticizing someone) #Un poco de respeto. #Untitled3020#A little respect.# L. Am., Sp # Let's show a little respect, sir. Don't shout at me.# un poco de respeto, seÒor. No me grite.

let's stick to what we know best.# Zapatero a tus zapatos. #Untitled4126#Shoemaker to your shoes.# L. Am., Sp

letch #el rabo verde #Untitled3337#green tail# Mex, C. Am., Peru # Manolo is a letch; he always goes out with women much younger than he is.# Manolo es un rabo verde; siempre sale con mujeres mucho menores que el.


to lift (steal) #levantar #Untitled2015#to pick up# Cuba, PR, G, Col, Ec; mangar (to "sleeve") Cuba, PR, Sp; afanar (from Lunfardo, Buenos Aires slang; to take advantage of someone) Cuba, Peru, U, Arg, Sp # They lifted my wallet. #Me mangaron (afanaron) la billetera.

to lift purses or wallets (pick pockets) #bolsear #Untitled368#to purse# Mex, C. Am. # They just get on buses to lift wallets (pick people's pockets). #Solo se suben a los buses a bolsear a las personas.

to be the light of one's life (dear, my love, sweetie) #ser la luz de mi (su, etc.) vida #Untitled2089#tL. Am., Sp ser la luz de los (sus) ojos (to be the light of one's eyes) Mex, ES, S. Cone# Eduardo's son is the light of his life. #El hijo de Eduardo es la luz de sus ojos.

lightning fast# mas rapido(-a) que un rayo #Untitled2226##L. Am., Sp # You already finished the work? You're lightning fast. #Ya terminaste el trabajo? Eres mas rapido que un rayo.

like a bat out of hell (fast) #como alma que lleva el diablo #Untitled860#like a soul that the devil takes#Mex, DR, ES, CR, S. Cone, Sp; a toda hostia (at all Host, with religious reference; vulgar) Sp; a toda leche (at all milk, vulgar) Sp #The cyclist was going like a bat out of hell and hit a tree.# El ciclista iba a toda leche y choco con un arboL

to be like a bull in a china shop# tener manos de hacha #Untitled3766#to have hachet hands# Ch# Don't let Umberto into the dining room. He's like a bull in a china shop. #No dejes que entre Umberto en el comedor. Tiene manos de hacha.


like a fish out of water #como gallo en patio ajeno #Untitled878#like a rooster in someone else's or a different patio# ES, Nic, CR, Pan; como gallina en corral ajeno (like a hen in someone else's or a different pen) Col, Peru, Ch # I saw Maruja in the parliament, and she was like a fish out of water. #Vi a Maruja en el parlamento, y estaba como gallina en corral ajeno.


like a kid in a candy store #como niÒo con zapatos nuevos #Untitled883#like a kid with new shoes# Mex, DR, ES, Ch, U, Sp; como niÒo con juguete nuevo (like a kid with a new toy) Mex, ES, U, Arg # Alejandro bought a pickup truck, and he's like a kid in a candy store.# Alejandro compro una camioneta y esta como niÒo con juguete nuevo.

like a shot (very fast) #rapidingo #Untitled3345 ##parts of L. Am.; mas rapido(-a) que ligero(-a) (more quick than fast) Mex, PR, G; cayendo el muerto y soltando el llanto (the dead person falling and the scream being let out) Mex, ES; hecho(-a) la mocha (la raya) (made into the bow [the stripe]) Mex; como entierro de pobre (like a poor person's funeral) ES, CR, Col # This year went by like a shot. #Este aÒo se fue como entierro de pobre.

to be like a wildman/wildwoman (hysterical) #estar como energumeno #Untitled875#to be like one possessed# Mex, ES, Ch # No one enjoyed the conversation; Adela was like a wildwoman and kept interrupting all the time. #Nadie disfruto de la conversacion; Adela estaba como energumena e interrumpia todo el tiempo.


like cats and dogs (enemies) #como perros y gatos #Untitled149#like dogs and cats# Mex, ES, Peru, Ch # The newlyweds were fighting like cats and dogs day and night. #Los recien casados se peleaban como perros y gatos dia y noche.

like crazy (without thinking) #a tontas y a locas #Untitled3904 ##most of L. Am., Sp; a lo tonto (also, a lo tarugo, a lo pendejo) Chicano, Mex, ES; a lo loco (crazily) Mex, DR, PR, ES, U, Arg, Sp # Cesar was talking like crazy (without thinking) about his boss.# Cesar hablaba a tontas y a locas de su jefe.

like father, like son. #De tal palo, tal astilla. #Untitled3648#From such a tree or stick, such a splinter.# L. Am., Sp; Hijo(-a) de tigre, sale rayado(-a). (Son [Daughter] of the tiger turns out striped.) Mex, CR, S. Cone # Ana Irene is mature and responsible, like her father. -Like father, like daughter. #Ana Irene es madura y responsable, como su padre. -Hija de tigre sale rayada.

like hell #como un (el) culo #Untitled897#like an [the] ass, vulgar# Cuba, Col, S. Cone #That skirt looks like hell on her. # Esa falda le queda como un culo.


to be like oil and water # como el aceite y el vinagre #Untitled873#like oil and vinegar# Mex, Caribbean, Col, U, Arg; como el agua y el aceite (like water and oil) Mex, G, ES, Ch # Those two groups are like oil and water; they don't mix and they always fight. #Estos dos grupos son como el aceite y el vinagre; no se mezclan y siempre se pelean.

to be like pulling teeth (difficult) #como parir chayotes #Untitled696#like giving birth to chayotes, a vegetable with prickly skin# Mex# Programming this computer is like pulling teeth. #Programar esta computadora es coma parir chayotes.

like sardines in a can (crowded or packed) #como sardina en lata #Untitled892#L. Am., Sp; como una lata de sardinas Sp # This bus is very full. We're like sardines in a can. # Este autobus esta muy lleno. Estamos coma sardina en lata.

like two peas in a pod #como dos gotas de agua #Untitled871#like two drops of water# L. Am., Sp# Paco and his friend Miguelito are like two peas in a pod. #Paco y su amigo Miguelito son coma dos gotas de agua.

lingo (way of speaking, conversation)# parla #Untitled2759 ##Mex, Cuba, CR # Many common expressions come from sports lingo, like "off base" or "in three and two" (meaning a difficult situation, from baseball). #Muchas expresiones comunes vienen de la parla deportiva, coma "fuera de base" o "en tres y dos"


little bit (slang) #el pellizco #Untitled2877#pinch# L. Am., Sp; el pelo, pelito (hair) L. Am., Sp; el cachito (little catch) Mex, G, ES, S. Cone, Sp # Give me a little bit of cinnamon, please. #Dame un cachito de canela, porfa.

to be a little dickens (very mischievous)# ser la piel del diablo #Untitled2959#to be the devil's skin# most of L. Am., Sp # Don't let that boy out of your sight, he's a little dickens.# No descuides a ese niÒo; es la piel del diablo.


to live it up (enjoy oneself, to have a good time) #darse la buena (gran) vida #Untitled1156#to give oneself the good [great] life# Mex, DR, PR, S. Cone; pegarse la vida padre (to stick or fasten to oneself the father life) Sp # I want to win the prize in the lottery so I can live it up and won't have to work.# Yo quiero ganarme el premio de la loteria para darme la buena vida y no tener que trabajar.

to live together as if married #casarse por detras de la iglesia #Untitled632#to get married behind the church# U # After going out for a number of years they decided to live together without getting married.# Despues de andar de novios por varios aÒos decidieron casarse por detras de la iglesia.

to liven things (or someone) up #ser levanta muertos #Untitled2014#to be a raiser of the dead# Mex, Nic, U, Arg #This soup livens me right up. #Esta sopa es levanta muertos.

loaded (having money) #platudo(-a) #Untitled3004##L. Am.; forrado(-a) (lined, as in pockets being lined) Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, U, Arg, Sp # Lourdes's boyfriend is loaded. I think his mom is vice president of the bank. #El novio de Lourdes esta forrado. Creo que su mama es la vicepresidenta del banco.


local yokel (person who seems to be from the neighborhood)# el/la baquiano(-a)#Untitled305## S. Cone # Ask that local yokel for the address. He must be from around here.# Preguntale a ese baquiano la direccian. Debe ser de estos lugares.

to log on# registrarse #Untitled4254##L. Am., Sp# I've logged on. Now what do I do? #Me he registrado. Ahora que hago?

long face (sad appearance) #la cara larga #Untitled599#long face# Mex, DR, ES, Col, Ch, U, Sp # Sonia came into the room and saw that her mother had a long face.# Sonia entro a la habitacion y vio que su madre tenia la cara largo.

to look (like)# tener pinta (de) #Untitled3780#to have spot [of]# L. Am., Sp # That guy looks like a drug dealer. #Ese fulano tiene pinta de narcotraficante.

to look at (pay attention to, notice) #fijarse en #Untitled1503#to fix oneself on# L. Am., Sp # Look at that.# Fijate en eso.


to look better than ever# estar como nunca #Untitled884#to be like never# L. Am., Sp # You look better than ever, Marisol.# Estas como nunca, Marisol.


to look down one's nose at someone# mirar a alguien por encima del hombro #Untitled2351#to look over one's shoulder at someone# L. Am., Sp # Elvira and her husband are very arrogant and look down their noses at everyone.# Elvira y su esposo son muy arrogantes y miran a todos por encima del hombro.

to look for a needle in a haystack# buscar una aguja en un pajar#Untitled444# L. Am., Sp # Don't persist with that. Finding your ring in the stadium where there are more than a hundred thousand people is like looking for a needle in a haystack. #No insistas. Encontrar to anillo en el estadio donde hay cien mil personas es como buscar una aguja en un pajar.

to (not) look for problems #(no) verle pelos a la sopa #Untitled446#to [not] see hairs in the soup# Mex # Don't look for problems (make excuses). You have to finish that work. #No le busques pelos a la sopa. Tienes que terminar ese trabajo.

to look forward to #esperar con ansia #Untitled4255to wait with eagerness# L. Am., Sp # I'm looking forward to my friend Maria's visit.# Espero con ansia la visita de mi amiga Maria.

to look good # lucir #Untitled2081#to shine# DR, PR, ES, Nic, CR, Col, Sp # Red pants and a heavy necklace look good on Rosa.# A Rosa le lucen pantalones rojos y un collar grueso.

to look like a fool #tener cara de chiste #Untitled3704#to have the face of a joke# Mex, Sp # Even though the accountant is intelligent, he looks like a fool.# A pesar de que el contador es inteligente, tiene cara de chiste.

to look like a queen# estar como una reina #Untitled904#to be like a queen# L. Am., Sp # You look like a queen. #Esta (usted) como una reina.

to look like a sourpuss (hostile, unwelcoming, or unfriendly) #tener cara de pocos amigos #Untitled3706#to have a face of few friends# Mex, Ch, U # I don't buy anything at that store because the clerks look like sourpusses. #No compro nada en esa tienda porque los dependientes tienen cara de pocos amigos.

to look like one is in a bad mood# tener cara de mala leche #Untitled3705#to have the face of bad milk# Sp # That man looks like he's in a bad mood, don't you think? #Ese seÒor tiene cara de muy mala leche, no crees?

to look ten feet tall #parecer siete pisos #Untitled2755 #to look like seven stories# Florida, Col #Guadalupe and Lurdes look ten feet tall, and they play on the college basketball team.# Guadalupe y Lurdes parecen siete pisos y juegan en el equipo de basquetbol del colegio.

to look uptight (worried) #estar mas serio (-a) que un burro en lancha #Untitled2227#to be more serious than a donkey in a rowboat# CR #What's up with you? You look uptight. #Que te pasa? Estas mas serio que un burro en lancha.

look who's talking! #Mira quien habla! #Untitled2347 ##L. Am., Sp# You need to study more, Emilia. -Look who's talking! You never study.# Tienes que estudiar mas, Emilia. -Mira quien habla! tu jamas estudias.

looking like a slob (badly dressed, dirty) #zarrapastroso(-a) #Untitled4129#from zarrapastra, meaning both mud and claw, implying dirty and torn# L. Am., Sp # And how dare he go to a sweet-fifteen coming-out party looking like a slob like that? #Y coma se atreve a ir a una quinceaÒera asi de zarrapastroso?


loose lips sink ships. (Talking can get you into trouble.) #En boca cerrada no entran moscas. #Untitled352#In a closed mouth flies don't enter.# L. Am., Sp # Think before talking. Loose lips sink ships.# Piensa antes de hablar. En boca cerrada no entran moscas.


to loosen the purse strings# aflojar el billete #Untitled49#to loosen the bill# Mex, Ch; aflojar la bolsa Mex, Sp # Loosen the purse strings, Dad; we want to go dancing with the girls.# Afloja el bolsillo, viejo; queremos ir a bailar con las chicas.

to loosen up (discipline) #aflojar las riendas #Untitled52#to loosen the reins# Mex, DR, U, Sp #Monica's parents won't loosen up with her because they don't trust her.# Los padres de Monica no le aflojan las riendas porque no confian en ella.

to lose heart (have one's heart sink) #caersele a alguien el alma a los pies #Untitled515#to have one's soul fall to one's feet#DR, Ch, U, Sp # We lost heart seeing them so sad. #Se nos cayo el alma a los pies al verlos tan tristes.

to lose it (to get pissed off) #encabronarse #Untitled1390##Mex, C. Am., PR, much of S. Am.; enfogonarse Mex, PR, Col; entromparse Mex, ES, Col, Ec; enchicharse Mex, Col, U; arrecharse (to get horns like an animal) Nic, Ven, Ec; ponerse como una fiera (to become like a wild animal) ES, Ch, U, Sp#They had me waiting there until I lost it. #Me tuvieron alli esperando hasta que me encabrone.

to lose one's head (to lose one's marbles)# perder la cabeza #Untitled2912 ##L. Am., Sp; perder la chaveta (to lose one's head) Mex, DR, ES, Sp# What's wrong with Tito? Did he lose his head? I saw him leaving his house with a pink dress on.# Que le pasa a Tito? Perdio la chaveta? Lo vi salir de su casa con un vestido rosado.


to lose sight of #perder(se) de vista #Untitled2906#to lose from view# L. Am., Sp # You shouldn't lose sight of the importance of this idea. #No debe perderse de vista la importancia de esta idea.

to lose the thread (of a conversation, etc.) #perder el hilo#Untitled2908## L. Am., Sp # Sorry, I've lost the thread of the conversation. Can you repeat what you just said? #Perdon, perdi el hilo de la conversacion. Puede repetir to ultimo que dijo?

to lose your cool # perder los estribos #Untitled2914#to lose the stirrups# L. Am., Sp # If you don't stop bugging me, I'm going to lose my cool. #Si no dejas de molestar, voy a perder los estribos.

loser #el cero a la izquierda #Untitled647#zero to the left# L. Am., Sp; el buey, guey (from "bovis": stupid, lazy [castrated] animal, often used with affection among men, a mild insult like SOB) Chicano, Mex, PR, ES, Col; dejado(-a) (left behind) G, ES, Nic, Ch; el/la quedado(-a) (one who's been left behind) DR, CR, Col, Ven; el/la batata (sweet potato) Para, U, Arg # What a playboy! That guy is a total loser. #Que mujeriego! Ese chico es un cero a la izquierda.


loudmouth (big mouth)# el bocon, la bocona #Untitled357# #Mex, PR, ES, Nic, CR, Col, Arg # Don't be a loudmouth.# No seas bocon.


love affair #la aventura #Untitled262#adventure# L. Am., Sp # I had a fantastic love affair in Sevilla. #Tuve una aventura fantastica en Sevilla.


low blow# el golpe bajo #Untitled1602##L. Am., Sp # Why did you insult me? It was a low blow. #Por que me insultaste? Fue un golpe bajo.

to be the low man on the totem pole (not count) #ser una bacteria en el horizonte #Untitled278#to be a bacterium on the horizon# Sp; ser el ultimo mono (to be the last monkey) Sp #Don't hire that singer, he's the low man on the totem pole. #No contraten a ese cantante; es una bacteria en el horizonte.

low-class (cheap, low quality, for person or thing) #ordinario(-a)#Untitled2663 ## L. Am., Sp; gacho(-a) Mex, G, ES; trililis PR; berreta (used to describe things or people) Arg; el/la roto(-a) (broken) Ch# Her boyfriend is really low-class. I don't know why she keeps going out with him.# Su novio es bien gacho. No se porque ella sigue con el.

lowlife (ignorant person and proud of it) #analfabestia #Untitled141#used instead of analfabeta, illiterate; bestia means beast# Mex, Col # Some lowlifes went by in a truck. #Pasaron unos analfabestias en una caminoneta.

to luck out (often by getting something good)# rayarse#Untitled3359 ## Chicano, Mex, G, ES, Peru; tocarle a alguien la loteria (to win the lottery; also caerle or sacar la loteria) Mex, Cuba, S. Cone, Sp #You lucked out with the cassette player, man.# Te rayaste con la grabadora, hombre.

lucky #rayado(-a) #Untitled3358#striped# Mex, G, ES; lechero(-a) ES, Nic, CR, Col, Peru; lechudo (-a) ES, Yen # What a lucky guy! They gave him the job. He's lucky. #Que lechudo! Le dieron el trabajo. Tiene leche.

to be lucky #tener leche #Untitled3745#to have milk# PR, G, Col, Ec, Ch, Sp (RVAR Sp: a bit vulgar) # Only the topics Hugo had studied came up on the exam. He's really lucky! #A Hugo le salieron en el examen solo los temas que habia estudiado. Tiene una leche estupenda!


macho man (male chauvinist pig) #el machote#Untitled2100 ## Mex, ES, Col # He acts like that because he thinks he's a macho man. #Se porta asi porque se cree muy machote.

mad as a hatter (nuts) #mas loco(-a) que una cabra #Untitled2219#crazier than a shegoat# Mex, CR, S. Cone, Sp # Gustavo wrote a love letter to the literature professor. He's as mad as a hatter. #Gustavo escribio una carta de amor a la profesora de literatura. Esta mas loco que una cabra.

mad at (angry with) #peleados(-as)#Untitled2871## L. Am., Sp # Maria and Jose are mad at each other after a fight, they aren't speaking to each other anymore.# Maria y Jose estan peleados, ya no se hablan.

made for each other (birds of a feather) #tal para cual#Untitled3649## L. Am., Sp # That couple is made for each other. #Esa pareja es tal para cual.

to be made of steel (tough, strong)# ser de acero (bronce) #Untitled21#to be of steel [bronze]# Mex, U, Arg, Sp # Claudia seems to be made of steel. She doesn't get perturbed under any circumstances.# Claudia parece ser de acero. No se inmuta bajo ninguna circunstancia.


to be a major problem# ser un problema mayusculo #Untitled3186 #to be a capital letter problem# L. Am. # The traffic here is a major problem. #Aqui el trafico es un problema mayusculo.

to make a big break (achieve fame or success) #hacer brecha #Untitled1670#to make an opening, breach# Mex, ES, U, Sp # The Beatles made their big break in the sixties and even today people listen to them. #Los Beatles hicieron brecha en los '60, y aun hoy la gente los escucha.


to make a deal with someone# llegar a un acuerdo con alguien#Untitled4256## L. Am., Sp; cuadrar con alguien Mex, Cuba, Col #We made a deal with the boss to leave early today.# Cuadramos con el jefe para salir temprano hoy.


to make a fool of oneself # hacer el ridiculo #Untitled1686#to make the ridiculous# L. Am., Sp # Cut it out! You're making a fool of yourself. #Cortala! Estas haciendo el ridiculo.


to make a hit (steal or rob) #dar el golpe #Untitled1124#to give the hit# Mex, ES, Sp# Two robbers made a hit on the bank and got away with a great deal of money.# Dos asaltantes dieron un golpe en el banco y se llevaron mucho dinero.

to make a killing (take advantage of) #hacer su agosto #Untitled1713#to make one's August# L. Am., Sp; ponerse las botas (to put on one's boots) Ch, U, Sp #Dona Maria made a killing on the stock market last year. #Dona Maria hizo su agosto en la bolsa el aÒo pasado.

to make a mess of things (not do things right)# no dar pie con bola #Untitled2525#to not hit the ball with one's foot# Mex, DR, PR, U, Sp # This is the third time I've left the keys in the car. I'm making a mess of things. #Es la tercera vez que se me quedan las llaves dentro del carro. Estoy que no doy pie con bola.


to make a pit stop (to urinate; euphemism) #cambiar el agua a los peces (al acuario) #Untitled561#to change the fishes' water# Cuba, DR, PR, Col, U, Arg; visitar al seÒor Roca (to visit Mr. Rock) Sp # You have to leave time to make a pit stop.# Hay que dejar tiempo para visitor al seÒor Roca.

to make a scene # armar un escandalo #Untitled205#to make a scandal# L. Am., Sp; armar un jaleo Mex, Sp; armar un molote (to set up a bunch) DR, ES, Nic; armar mitote (to make a big myth) Mex; armar un sanquentin (to make a Saint Quentin) Mex; armar gresca (to make a din or brawl) S. Cone, Sp; armar un revuelo U, Arg, Sp; armar un cristo (to make a Christ) Sp; armar el taco (to make the swear word) Sp # The girl made a scene at the clinic and didn't allow the doctor to examine her.# La niÒa armo un escandalo en la clinica y no permitio que el doctor la examinara.

to make a slip of the tongue (speak without thinking)# irsele a alguien la lengua #Untitled1927##Mex, ES, U, Arg, Sp # Emma, you made a slip of the tongue and told your coworkers very personal things. #Emma, se te fue la lengua y dijiste cosas muy personales a tus compaÒeras de trabajo.

to make eyes at (flirt) #hacer ojitos#Untitled1708#to make little eyes# L. Am., Sp #He's (She's) always making eyes at you in class. #Siempre to esta haciendo ojitos en clase.

to make fun of (tease, make someone look ridiculous)# burlarse de#Untitled439## L. Am, Sp; chotear Mex, Cuba, CR; cargar (to load) U, Arg; cachondearse (de alguien) Sp; darsela a alguien con queso (to give it to someone with cheese) Sp #Felipe made fun of me.# Felipe me choteo.


to make off with it all (take everything, one's own and others') #alzarse con el santo y la limosna #Untitled127#to make off with the saint and the alms# DR, PR, CR # Cristian left yesterday and made off with it all. #Cristian se nos fue ayer y se alzo con el santo y la limosna.

to make one's stomach turn (cause disgust) #revolver a alguien las tripas (el estomago) #Untitled3416#to have one's intestines [stomach] turn# L. Am., Sp# The news of the war made our stomachs turn. #Las noticias de la guerra nos revolvieron las tripas.

to make oneself at home #entrar (andar) como Pedro por su casa #Untitled1424#to enter [walk around] like Pedro in his house# Mex, DR, Peru, Bol, Ch, Arg, Sp (RVAR Mex: Juan instead of Pedro) # The neighbor made himself at home here. #El vecino andaba aqui como Pedro por su casa.

to make oneself scarce #ser el as de la baraja #Untitled233#to be the ace of the deck# most of L. Am. # Where is Felipe? He's made himself scarce. #Donde esta Felipe? Es el as de la baraja.


to make room #dar cabida #Untitled1078#to give space# L. Am., Sp # We're going to make room for them; don't worry. #Vamos a darles cabida; no to preocupes.


to make someone mad# darle coraje (a alguien) #Untitled4257#to give someone courage# parts of L. Am., Sp # It makes me mad to hear his complaints.# Me da coraje escuchar sus quejas.


to make the most (of) (take maximum advantage, get the best from)# sacar el jugo #Untitled3465#to take out the juice# L. Am., Sp; sacar partido (to take out game) S. Cone, Sp # Hernan made the most of his vacation.# Hernan le saco el jugo a sus vacaciones.

make yourself at home. #Estas en tu casa. #Untitled4258#You're in your house.# L. Am., Sp; La casa es chica, el corazon grande. (The house is small, the heart large.) S. Cone # Come in, my friends. Make yourselves at home. #Entren, amigos mios. Estan en su casa.

mama's boy (man who is pushed around by his wife or girlfriend or is overly attached to his mother) #el calzonudo #Untitled554#oversized pants# Mex, ES, Peru, Arg, Ch; el calzonazos (oversized pants) Ch, Sp # It doesn't surprise me that he married that bossy woman; he's always been a mama's boy.# No me extraÒa que se haya casado con esa sargenta; siempre ha sido un calzonudo.

man (term of address for either a man or a woman) #hombre (man)#Untitled1839## L. Am., Sp # Man, you've had a lot of problems this week, haven't you?# Hombre, has tenido muchos problemas esta semana, no?

to manage (get along)# defenderse #Untitled1179#to defend oneself# L. Am., Sp # Don't worry ... I'm managing. #No to preocupes... me voy defendiendo.

to manage to do something (often something tricky)# arreglarselas #Untitled219#to arrange them for yourself# L. Am., Sp # I managed to convince her.# Me las arregle para convencerla.

maniac drivers #los cafres del volante #Untitled523#jerks at the wheel# Mex, Col # Some maniac drivers caused an accident downtown. #Unos cafres del volante causaron un accidente en el centro.


to the max #a brazo partido #Untitled391#to a broken arm# L. Am., Sp; hasta mas no poder L. Am., Sp; al tope Mex, U, Sp# We worked to the max for our party's candidate. #Trabajamos a brazo partido para el candidato de nuestro partido.


to be mediocre (superfluous) #no ser ni chicha ni limonada #Untitled2591#to be neither corn liquor nor lemonade# most of L. Am., Sp# The new director doesn't impress me much. He's mediocre. #El nuevo director no me impresiona mucho. No es ni chicha ni limonada

to meet one's match #encontrar la horma de su zapato #Untitled1403#to find one's shoe size; horma means wooden model of foot# Mex, DR, ES, S. Cone, Sp# When I met Jorge, I knew I had met my match. #Cuando conoci a Jorge, supe que habia encontrado la horma de mi zapato.


to mess up (ruin the plan) #arruinar el estofado #Untitled232#to spoil the stew# U, Arg #I had everything all set up and that woman messed it up. #Yo lo tenia todo arreglado y esa mujer me arruino el estofado.


messing around (fooling around) #el traqueteo #Untitled3945#banging, creaking# Mex, DR, PR, G, ES #Stop messing around, we're going to be late. # Deja el traqueteo, que vamos a llegar tarde.


to miss the boat (miss opportunity) #perder el (ultimo) tren #Untitled2910#to miss the [last] train# Mex, DR, ES, Ch, Arg, Sp Yen; quedarse en el aparato (to be left on the phone receiver) # Tomas missed the boat when he didn't accept the job at the new company.# Tomas perdio el tren cuando no acepto el empleo en la nueva compaÒia.

to mix apples and oranges (two very different things) #confundir la gimnasia con la magnesia #Untitled920#to confuse gymnastics with magnesia# Mex, Sp; mezclar la velocidad con el tocino (to mix speed with bacon) Sp #You're mixing apples and oranges. You can't compare a house in Madrid with a house in the country. #Estas confundiendo la gimnasia con la magnesia. No se puede comparar una casa en Madrid con una casa en el campo.

to mix someone up (talk with double meaning, confuse in a teasing way) #alburear #Untitled102 ##Mex, ES, CR # He mixed me up with double meanings and in the end I didn't understand anything.# Me albureo y al final no entendi nada.

mixed bag (describing the diversity of a group or community) #hijos de muchas madres #Untitled1830#children of many mothers# Sp # A mixed bag of people died in the war, not just American soldiers.# En la guerra murieron hijos de muchas madres, no solo soldados americanos.

to be mixed up (confused, disoriented) #estar norteado(-a) #Untitled2640#to be northed# Mex, ES; quedarse patidifuso(-a) (y perplejo[-a]) (to end up confused [and perplexed]) DR, Col, Ch, U, Sp; estar azurumbado(-a) Nic, CR, Col (RVAR ES, Nic: zurumbo[-a]); tener mambo en la cabeza (to have mambo in the head) Arg; perder el norte (to lose the north) Sp # We were mixed up by the proposals of the new director. #Nos quedamos patidifusos con las propuestas del nuevo director.


the moment of truth (the time for explanation)# la hora de los quiubos #Untitled3334#the time of the what-happeneds# Ch # Let's talk about what happened. It's the moment of truth.# Vamos a hablar de lo que paso. Es la hora de los quiubos.

money talks. (Money is power.) #Poderoso caballero es don Dinero. #Untitled3025#A powerful gentleman is Sir Money.# L. Am., Sp; El que tiene plata platica. (Whoever has money makes conversation.) Nic # Of course they won the election. Money talks. #Por supuesto que ganaron las elecciones. Poderoso caballero es don Dinero.

moneybags (rich person, loaded) #el ricachon, la ricachona#Untitled3418 ## L. Am., Sp; el ricardo (richard) Mex; el/la millonetis Sp # My dream is to go to Las Vegas and come back home a moneybags.# Mi sueÒo es ir a Las Vegas pare regresar a mi casa hecho un millonetis.


monkey business #los negocios chuecos #Untitled2453#crooked deals# Mex, DR, ES, Col, Ch # They got involved in some monkey business and now they're worried. #Se metieron en negocios chuecos y ahora eston preocupados.


to mooch (not pay for things) #gorrear #Untitled1609##Mex, Col, Sp; encajarse Mex # She always mooches food off me. # Ella siempre me gorrea comida.


mouthing off (yelling and screaming)# trompudo(-a) #Untitled3961#with a big snout or mouth; sounding off threats# Mex, C. Am., Col #Every time I see him, he's mouthing off. #Cada vez que lo veo, esta trompudo.

mouthy (describing someone who talks back unjustifiably when reprimanded) #respondon, respondona#Untitled3401 ## Mex, Sp # Memo lost his job by being mouthy.# Memo perdio su trabajo por respondon.


to mug (rob)# tumbar#Untitled3973#to fell, knock down# PR, Col, Ven # I can't find my wallet since yesterday. I think someone mugged me on the bus.# Yo no encuentro mi billetera desde ayer. Creo que me la tumbaron en la guagua.

to mumble (murmur, grumble) #hablar entre dientes #Untitled1658#to talk between the teeth# L. Am., Sp # He mumbles (swallows his words), and I don't understand him. #Habla entre dientes, y no lo entiendo.

munchies (appetizers) #la botana #Untitled380##Mex; los pasa-palos (drink-passers) Ven; las picadas (pickings) Arg; las cosas para picar (things to pick at) Ch, U, Sp #Elisa prepared the munchies.# Elisa preparo las cosas para picar.

my humble home is yours.# La casa es chica, el corazon grande. #Untitled628#The house is small, the heart large.# S. Cone # Stay with us. My humble home is yours.# Quedense con nosotros. La casa es chica, el corazon grande.

my love #mi amor#Untitled136## L. Am., Sp; mi amorcito (my little love) L. Am., Sp; mi rey (reina) (my king [queen]) L. Am., Sp; mi pichon (my pigeon) parts of L. Am.; (RVAR Mex: pichoncito) # What time will you be back, my love? #A que horas regresas, mi amor?




nag (bossy person) #fregon, fregona #Untitled1545#scrubber# Mex, G, Col; molon, molona Mex # But if I keep on being a nag, eventually I'll get it. #Pero si soy un fregon, luego luego lo voy a agarrar.

nagging (continuously asking for something) #la fregadera (slightly vulgar) #Untitled1541##Chicano, Mex, G, ES, CR # You keep on with your same old nagging.# Sigues con la misma fregadera.

nark (drug dealer boss) #el/la narco #Untitled2448 #short for narcotraficante# L. Am., Sp # That neighborhood is a paradise for narks. #Ese barrio es un paraiso para los narcos.

natch (of course) #sincho #Untitled3588##Chicano, Mex, Col #Are you going to the movies with us? -Natch! #Vas al cine con nosotros? -Sincho!

nattering on # habla que te habla #Untitled1654#talk that he or she talks to you# DR, PR, Ch, U # I waited for a long time while Estela nattered on and on with her friends, without paying any attention to me (lit., without worrying about me). #Espere largo rato mientras Estela, hable que te hable con sus amigos, sin preocuparse por mi.


to be neither fish nor fowl (undefined, insipid) #no ser ni carne ni pescado #Untitled2584#to be neither meat nor fish# Sp # This choice is the one that best suits everyone, although it's neither fish nor fowl. #Esta opcion es la que mejor va a todo el mundo, aunque no es ni carne ni pescado.

to be neither here nor there (without it mattering to anyone) #ni ir ni venirle #Untitled4259#without it coming or going# Mex, S. Cone, Sp# To me, the whole matter of the election campaign is neither here nor there.# El asunto de la campaÒa electoral ni me va ni me viene.

nerd (bookworm) #el nerdo #Untitled2457 ##parts of L. Am. # Hugo's a nerd, very intelligent and studious. The poor guy almost never leaves the library. #Hugo es un nerdo, muy inteligente y estudioso. El pobre casi nunca sale de la biblioteca.

nerve (brazenness)# la concha #Untitled913#shell# Mex, Nic, Pan, Ec, Peru; el morro/el rostro (face) Sp; la jeta/la cars (face) Sp# That girl has a lot of nerve. #Esa chica tiene mucha concha.

nervous as a cat (uptight) #como cocodrilo en fabrica de carteras #Untitled865#like a crocodile in a wallet factory# PR; como perro en canoa (like a dog in a canoe) PR #I have a job interview and I'm nervous as a cat. #Tengo una entrevista de trabajo y me siento como cocodrilo en fabrica de carteras.


never again #una y no mas (santo Tomas) #Untitled3986#once and no more [Saint Thomas]# Sp# Did you lend money to Teresa? -Once, but never again. #Le prestaste dinero a Teresa? -Una y no mas, santo Tomas.

to never rain but to pour (have one bad thing happen after another) #llover sobre mojado #Untitled2069#to rain over the wetness# L. Am., Sp # It never rains but it pours: they raised the prices again. #Llueve sobre mojado: otra vez subieron los precios.

news flash (surprising piece of news) #la bomba, el bombazo #Untitled371#bomb# Mex, DR, G, ES, Sp # Hang on, I've got a news flash. Guess who got pregnant.# Agarrate, que tengo un bombazo. Adivina quien salio embarazada.

no big deal (No biggie) #No es para tanto. #Untitled2540#It's not for so much.# L. Am., Sp # Don't get mad, Alfonsina, it's no big deal.# No te enojes, Alfonsina, no es para tanto.


no damn way. (all vulgar) #Ni madre. #Untitled2478#Not even mother.# Mex, C. Am., Col; Ni mierda. (Not even shit.) Mex, G, ES, Nic, S. Cone; Ni a huevos. (Not even by eggs, meaning testicles.) Mex, ES # I'm not going to do it. No damn way.# No lo voy a hacer. Ni madre.

no go. (Absolutely not, period) #Ahi muere. #Untitled82#It dies there.# Mex, ES # I'm not going to the meeting, I'm staying at home, and no go. #No voy a la reunion; me quedo en casa. Ahi muere.


to be no great shakes (so-so) #ser del monton #Untitled2385#to be of the heap# L. Am., Sp; no ser nada del otro mundo (to not be something from the other world) Mex, DR, PR, ES, S. Cone, Sp# That teacher is no great shakes. #Esa maestro es del monton.


no joke. (Seriously.) #Fuera de bromas. #Untitled1557#Outside of jokes.# Mex, ES, S. Cone, Sp # Now let's talk about this, no joke.#Ya fuera de bromas vamos a platicar de esto.

no matter what (whatever happens) #contra viento y marea #Untitled933#against wind and tide# L. Am., Sp; pese a quien pese (weigh whatever it may weigh) L. Am., Sp; cueste lo que cueste (cost whatever it may cost) L. Am., Sp#No matter what, we're going to travel. Cueste lo que cueste, vamos a viajar.


no more baloney (enough stories).# Ya esta bien de cuentos. #Untitled4102 ##most of L. Am., Sp # No more baloney; don't say anything more.# Ya esta bien de cuentos; no hablemos mas.

no problem, relax. (chill out)# Tranquilo(-a). #Untitled3939#Tranquil.# Mex, DR, Col, Ven, S. Cone, Sp # No problem, relax. Everything's OK. #Tranquilo, tranquilo. Todo va bien.


no wonder #con razon #Untitled3362#with reason# L. Am., Sp # This boy is almost deaf. No wonder he doesn't understand anything in class.# Este niÒo es casi sordo. Con razon no entiende nada en la clase.

a nobody (unimportant person) #don Nadie #Untitled1271#Sir Nobody# L. Am., Sp #That guy is a nobody; he pretends to be more (important) than he is.# Ese tipo es un don Nadie; pretende ser to que no es.

noggin (head) #el coco #Untitled812#coconut# L. Am., Sp; la chaveta Mex, DR, PR, ES; la maceta (flower pot) Mex, G, Nic; la chirimoya (type of fruit) Mex, ES, CR; el tarro (jar) Sp # Tito fell out of a tree and hurt his noggin.# Tito se cayo de un arbol y se lastimo la chirimoya.

none of your business. #Quien lo mete, Juan Bonete? #Untitled4260#Who brings you into this, Juan Bonete?# Mex, Nic # Leave your boyfriend. He's a womanizer. -It's none of your business. #Deja a to novio. Es un mujeriego. -Y a ti quien to mete, Juan Bonete?

none whatsoever # ni pizca de #Untitled2487#not even a pinch of# Mex, DR, C. Am., Col, Ch, Arg # He has no manners, none whatsoever. #No tiene ni pizca de educacion.

nonsense (baloney) #las tonterias #Untitled3279 #stupidities# L. Am., Sp; las memeces Sp #What a piece of nonsense! That's not true. #Que memez! Eso no es cierto.


nosy# metiche #Untitled2323 ##Mex, DR, PR, G, Nic, CR, Col; chute Mex, ES #Alejandra is so nosy that her coworkers don't invite her anywhere.# Alejandra es tan metiche que sus compaÒeros de trabajo no la invitan a ninguna parte.


not a pretty picture (ironic, meaning not very nice or well done)# menudo numero #Untitled2280#diminutive number or show; ironic# Sp #Not a pretty picture what you did last night. The people in the room next door couldn't sleep. #Menudo numero montaste anoche. Los de la habitacion de al lado no pudieron dormir.



to not be able to contain oneself with happiness# no caber en si de contento#Untitled2510## Mex, ES, Peru, U, Arg, Sp #Don Alonso couldn't contain himself with happiness about his son getting his degree. #Don Alonso no cabia en si de contento con el titulo de su hijo.

to not be able to do anything right# no dar pie con bola #Untitled2525#to not hit the ball with one's foot# Mex, DR, PR, U, Sp; salirle al reves (to turn out backwards for someone) C. Am., S. Cone, Sp; no dar una (to not give one) Mex, U, Sp#This is the third time I've left the keys in the car. I can't do anything right.# Es la tercera vez que se me quedan las llaves dentro del carro. Estoy que no doy pie con bola.

to not be able to make up one's mind (be undecided) #estar entre dos aguas #Untitled1428#to be between two waters# most of L. Am., Sp# We're unable to make up our mind whether to go to Cuba or Costa Rica for our vacation.# Estamos entre dos aguas: no sabemos si ir a Cuba o a Costa Rica en nuestras vacaciones.

to not be able to stand someone (dislike) #no pasar a alguien #Untitled2566#to not pass someone; used like gustar# Mex, DR, ES, S. Cone; no bancar U, Arg # I can't stand the clerk in that store.# La empleada de esa tienda no me pasa

to not be able to stand the sight of someone# no poder ver a alguien ni en pintura #Untitled2571#to not be able to see someone even in a painting# Mex, DR, PR, ES, Ch, U, Sp; no poder ver a alguien ni pintado (to not be able to see someone even painted) CR, Arg, Sp #Matilde is so conceited. I can't stand the sight of her.#Matilde es tan orgullosa. No puedo verla ni en pintura.


to not be able to wait #no ver la hora (de) #Untitled2628#to not see the hour# L. Am., Sp # I can't wait until my friend Brenda gets here. #No veo la hora que llegue mi amiga Brenda.

to not be all sweetness and light (to be a drag) #no ser perita en dulce #Untitled2593#to not be a pear in sugar water# Mex, ES # One of the children I take care of gives me problems almost every day. Let's just say he's not all sweetness and light.# Uno de los niÒos que cuido me da problemas casi todos los dias. Digamos que no es perita en dulce.

to not be born yesterday# no acabar de caerse del nido #Untitled4261#to still be falling out of the nest# LA; no chuparse el dedo (to not suck one's thumb) Mex, DR, PR, ES, S. Cone, Sp # I wasn't born yesterday. That's a lie.# Yo no me chupo el dedo. Eso es pura mentira.

to not be in a joking mood# no estar para bromas#Untitled2544 ## L. Am., Sp # Talk seriously; the situation is difficult, and I'm not in a joking mood.# Habla en serio; la situacion es dificil, y no estoy para bromas.


to not be one's cup of tea (not be to one's liking) #no ser santo de su devocion #Untitled3558#to not be the saint of one's devotion; said of people# ES, Nic, S. Cone, Sp #Jennifer Lopez was never really my cup of tea, but I can put up with her.# Jennifer Lopez nunca fue santo de mi devocion, pero la tolero.


to not be too damn likely (be difficult) #ser carajo(-a) #Untitled606#to be male organ, vulgar# Mex # It's not too damn likely that our team'll make it to the championship.# Es muy carajo que nuestro equipo llegue al campeonato.

to not be worth a damn# no valer un carajo #Untitled2625#to not be worth a male organ, vulgar# Mex, U, Arg, Sp; no valer ni mierda (to not be worth shit; vulgar) L. Am., Sp # That guy is not worth a damn. #Ese tipo no vale un carajo.


to not burn one's bridges (not cut down on options) # no cerrar la puerta #Untitled2514#to not close the door# Ch # Don't burn your bridges for new job opportunities. #No cierres las puertas a las nuevas oportunidades de trabajo.

not by a longshot. # Ni por asomo. #Untitled2488#Not even by conjecture.# DR, S. Cone, Sp # Me do such a thing? No, man, not by a longshot. #Yo hacer semejante cosa? No, hombre, ni por asomo.

to not care (be indifferent) #pasar #Untitled2779#to pass# Sp#I don't care about anything. #Yo paso de todo.


to not even have time to sneeze (be very busy)# no tener tiempo ni para rascarse #Untitled3347#to not have time even to scratch oneself# Mex, DR, ES, U, Sp # Why don't you come visit us? -I can't. I'm studying for exams, and I don't even have time to sneeze. #Por que no vienes a visitarnos? -No puedo. Estoy preparando examenes, y no tengo tiempo ni para rascarme.

not even in your (his, her, etc.) dreams. (Not a chance) #Ni a palos. #Untitled2463#Not even with blows of a stick.# L. Am., Sp; Ni en sueÒos. (Not even dreaming.) L. Am., Sp; Ni a tiros. (Not even by gunshots.) Mex, Sp# What if Enrique invites you to spend the day on the beach? -Not even in his dreams! #Que tal si Enrique to invita a pasar el dia en la playa? -Ni en sueÒos lo haria!

to not fall for something #no tragarse esa guayaba #Untitled2632 #to not swallow that guava# L. Am., except Arg., Ch; no tragar carros y carretas (to not swallow cars and carts) Mex, Sp # I'm notgoing to fall for that baloney (nonsense). #No voy a tragarme esa guayaba.

to not get involved #no involucrarse#Untitled4262## L. Am., Sp no pintar nada (to not paint anything) Sp # I'm not getting involved in Juan's party because I hardly know him. #Yo no pinto nada en la fiesta de Juan porque casi ni lo conozco.

to not get it #no agarrar la onda #Untitled2505#to not seize the sound wave# Mex, G, ES, U, Arg; no dar con ello Sp; estar (quedarse) a dos velas (to be [remain] at two sails) Mex, Sp# The foreman explained the job to us, but we didn't get it. #El capataz nos explico el trabajo pero no agarramos la onda.

to not give a damn (not matter; all vulgar) #importarle/valerle madre #Untitled4012#to matter mother# Mex, most of C. Am.; importar un carajo (to not matter a male organ) PR, U, Arg; importarle tres cojones (to matter three testicles) Sp# They don't give a damn what other people think.# Les vale madre to que opinen los demas.

to not give a darn (not matter)# importarle un pepino #Untitled1871#to matter a cucumber# L. Am., Sp; ni me (te, le, etc.) va ni me (te, le, etc.) viene (it doesn't go or come to me [you, him, etc.]) L. Am., Sp; importarle un comino (to matter a cumin seed) L. Am., Sp; importarle un rabano (to matter a radish) Mex, ES, Ch, U, Sp; importarle un pito (to matter a whistle) Mex, DR, PR, S. Cone, Sp; importarle un bledo (to matter a pigweed) Mex, S. Cone, Sp# I don't give a darn what other people might think. #Me importa un pepino lo que pueda pensar otra gente.


to not give in (be stubborn or persistent) #no dar el brazo a torcer #Untitled2522#to not give one's arm to twist# L. Am., Sp # That's just the way Vicente is. He never gives in.# Asi es Vicente. No se da el brazo a torcer.

to not go out on a limb (not take any risk) #no aventurarse #Untitled4263#to not venture, not risk# L. Am., Sp; no mojarse (to not get oneself wet) Sp # Juan never goes out on a limb for anything.# Juan no se moja para nada.


to not have a plug nickel (to be broke) #no tener ni cinco #Untitled2607#to not have even five [cents]# Mex, DR, ES, Sp; estar sin cinco (to be without five) Mex, ES, Sp # I don't have a plug nickel to buy food. #No tengo ni cinco para comprar comida.


to not have any say in a matter# no tener vela en el entierro #Untitled2528#to not have a candle at a funeral# Mex, DR, S. Cone, Sp # Better not give your opinion; you don't have any say in this matter. #Mejor no opines, que no tienes vela en este entierro.

to not have balls #no tener huevos #Untitled2605#to not have eggs, testicles# L. Am., Sp; no tener bolas S. Cone; ser (un) acojonado (to be without testicles) PR, Sp #So, want to bet you don't have the balls to go to the cemetery at night? #A que no tienes huevos de ir a un cementerio de noche?


to not have too much upstairs (not be very bright) #no tener sal en la mollera #Untitled2615#to not have salt on the crown of the head# L. Am., Sp #It seems to me that this guy doesn't have too much upstairs. #Me parece que este tipo no tiene sal en la mollera.

to not keep one's word #faltar a la palabra#Untitled1478# # L. Am., Sp# I don't have confidence in Arturo's business; he often does not keep his word. #No confio en el negocio de Arturo; a menudo falta a la palabra.

to not know beans #about no saber ni papa de #Untitled2579#to not know potato about# Mex, DR, PR, ES, Ch, U, Sp # I hope they don't ask me any questions in history class because I don't know beans about the Mexican Revolution. #Ojala no me pregunten en la clase de historia porque no se ni papa de la Revolucion Mexicana.


to not know what move to make (what to do; be undecided) #no saber a que carta quedarse #Untitled4264#to not know what card to keep# Sp # Ernesto didn't know what move to make until the end. His slowness in the decision cost him the job. #Ernesto no supo a que carta quedarse hasta el final. Su tardanza en la decision le costo el puesto.

to not last long (in a job, etc.) #no calentar el asiento #Untitled2512#to not warm the seat# Mex, ES, U, Arg, Sp #Pablo didn't last long in that job.# Pablo no calento el asiento en ese trabajo.

to not let someone out of one's sight# no dejar (ni) a sol ni a sombra a alguien #Untitled2536#to not leave someone in the sun or the shade# L. Am., Sp # That woman doesn't let her husband out of her sight for a minute; she's really jealous. #Esa mujer no deja ni a sol ni a sombra a su marido; es muy celosa.

to not let someone rest (keep busy) #no dejar a alguien sentar el pie en el suelo #Untitled2535 #to not let someone put his or her foot on the floor# Sp #Although yesterday was a holiday, Mom didn't let us rest a minute. #Aunque ayer fue dia de fiesta, mama no nos dejo sentar el pie en el suelo.

to not lift a finger (be lazy, do nothing)# no mover un dedo #Untitled2563#to not move a finger# L. Am., Sp; no dar un golpe (to not give a hit) Mex, DR, Sp # She didn't even lift a finger to help me with the computer. #Ni siquiera movio un dedo para ayudarme con la computadora.


to not mince words #sin pelos en la lengua #Untitled2611#to not have hair on the tongue# L. Am., Sp # I explained the situation to them with all the details and I didn't mince words. #Les explique la situacian con todos los detalles y sin pelos en la lengua.


to not pay any attention to someone# no hacerle caso a alguien #Untitled4265#to not make a case for someone# L. Am., Sp; no prestarle atencion a alguien (to not lend attention to someone) L. Am., Sp; no dar bola a alguien (to not give someone the ball) S. Cone # I tried to explain the situation, but they didn't pay me any attention.# Trate de explicar la situacian, pero no me dieron bola.

to not put up with much# no aguantar pulgas #Untitled2506#to not tolerate fleas# Mex, Sp # Be careful of Hector. He doesn't put up with much; he's very fussy.# Cuidado con Hector. No aguanta pulgas; es muy delicado.

to not see a thing# no ver ni tres en un burro #Untitled2630#to not even see three on a burro# Sp #He couldn't see a thing until they put on his glasses. Poor kid. #No veia ni tres en un burro hasta que le pusieron las gafas. Pobre niÒo.


to not sleep a wink all night (to spend a sleepless night) #no pegar los ojos en toda la noche #Untitled2567 #to not glue the eyes the whole night# L. Am., Sp (RVAR Sp: no pegar ojo); pasar una noche toledana (spend a Toledo night) Sp # I have a problem at the office. I didn't sleep a wink all night. #Tengo un problema en la oficina. No pegue los ojos en toda la noche.

to not stand (to not be able to stand [the sight of someone]) #no soportar#Untitled4266## L. Am, Sp; no tragar (to not swallow) Mex, DR, G, ES, S. Cone, Sp #I can't stand those guys.# No trago a esos chicos.

to not take sides (keep one's own opinions or attitudes independently) #no casarse con nadie #Untitled2513#to not marry anyone# L. Am., Sp # I listened to everyone's opinions, but I didn't take sides. First I need to think.# Escuche la opinion de todos, pero no me case con nadie. Primero tengo que pensar.


to not understand beans (anything) #no entender ni jota (ni papa) #Untitled2539#to not understand a jot [potato]# L. Am., Sp # I don't understand beans about what the mathematics professor is saying. #No entiendo ni jota de lo que dice el profesor de matematicas.


to be nothing to write home about (not be extraordinary) #no ser nada del otro mundo #Untitled2590#to not be something from the other world# L. Am., Sp; ser del monton (to be of the heap) L. Am., Sp; no ser nada (cosa) del otro jueves (to not be a thing of next Thursday) Sp # Is the course you're taking interesting? -It's nothing to write home about. #Es interesante el curso que estas siguiendo? -No es nada del otro mundo.

now I get it. #ahora caigo.#Untitled87## L. Am., Sp # Now I get it. You want to break up with me. #Ahora caigo. Quieres romper conmigo.


to be an oddball #ser un bicho raro #Untitled340#to be a strange bug, beast# Mex, S. Cone, Sp # That person is an oddball. #Esa persona es un bicho raro.


off the wall (nuts)# zafado(-a) #Untitled4117 ##Chicano, Mex, C. Am., Col, Ch #I think that singer is off the wall. #Creo que esa cantante esta bien zafado.


off-color joke# el chiste colorado (rojo) #Untitled748#red joke# L. Am., Sp; el chiste pelado (peeled joke) Mex # He tells good jokes although some are off-color and not appropriate when children are around. #Cuenta buenos chistes aunque algunos son rojos y no son apropiados cuando hay niÒos.

oh, come on! #Que va!#Untitled3280## parts of L. Am., Sp; Quien lo diria! (Who would say it!) Mex, DR, S. Cone, Sp; Vaya a decirselo a su abuela. (Go tell it to your grandmother.) Mex, ES, U, Arg; Vaya a contarselo a su tia (abuela). (Go tell it to your aunt [grandmother].) Mex, S. Cone, Sp # The Barrio brothers are drug traffickers? Oh, come on! They seemed like good people. #Los hermanos Barrio son traficantes de drogas? Que va! Parecian buenas personas.

ok. #Mas o menos. #Untitled2221#More or less.# L. Am., Sp; Okei. (from the English expression) L. Am.# How are your parents? -OK. #Como estan tus padres? -Mas o menos.

okey-dokey.# Oquey, maguey. #Untitled2661#All right, maguey cactus.# Mex, Col # Shall we meet at eight? -Okey, dokey. #Nos encontramos a las ocho? -Oquey, maguey.

old and worn out # traqueteado(-a) #Untitled3944##L. Am.  # That car is worn out (ready for the junk yard). #Ese carro esta traqueteado.


out of style (out of date) #pasado(-a) de moda #Untitled2366#passed from fashion# L. Am., Sp# Those boots are out of style.# Esas botas son pasadas de moda.

old man (meaning spouse, partner) #el/la viejo(-a) #Untitled4063#old one; not as pejorative as "old man"# L. Am., Sp # Just a minute. Let me ask my old man.# Momento. Dejame preguntarle a mi viejo.


old tricks #las andadas #Untitled4267#walkings, tracks# L. Am., Sp # My cousin has gone back to his old tricks. Too bad!# Mi primo ha vuelto a sus andadas. Que lastima!

old wives' tale #el cuento de viejas#Untitled1040## most of L. Am., Sp # Tuesday (for English speakers, Friday) the thirteenth is a day of bad luck? No, no, those are old wives' tales. #Que el martes 13 es dia de mala suerte? No, no, son cuentos de viejas.

older than Methuselah # mas viejo(-a) que Matusalen#Untitled2231 ## L. Am., Sp # I feel older than Methuselah.# Me siento mas viejo que Matusalen.

old-fashioned (with old values)# chapado(-a) a la antigua#Untitled679## L. Am., Sp #He's an old-fashioned kind of man.# Es un hombre chapado a la antigua.


on and on (over and over again) #dale que dale#Untitled1066## L. Am., Sp # I'm tired of you always playing on and on at the piano. #Ya me canse de que siempre estes dale que dale al piano.

to be on cloud nine (in seventh heaven) #estar en la gloria #Untitled1599#to be in one's glory# L. Am., Sp # I'm on cloud nine when it's cool out. #Estoy en la gloria cuando hace fresco.

to be on edge #estar en ascuas #Untitled236#to be on embers# L. Am., Sp # I was on edge until they gave me the news. #Estaba en ascuas hasta que me dieron la noticia.


to be on one's last legs (elderly men) #estar en las ultimas #Untitled3983#to be on the last# L. Am., Sp; estar hecho(-a) un cascajo (to be made a piece of junk) PR, Sp; estar para sopitas y buen vino (to be for light soup and good wine) Sp # Dona Jacinta is ninety years old and on her last legs.# DoÒa Jacinta tiene noventa aÒos y esta en las ultimas.


to be on pins and needles (anxiously awaiting something) #estar en ascuas #Untitled236#to be on embers# Mex, ES, Nic, S. Cone, Sp # I was on pins and needles until they gave me the news. #Estaba en ascuas hasta que me dieron la noticia.

on the ball #avispado(-a) #Untitled264#wasped# L. Am., Sp; pillo(-a) Mex, Hond, CR, Col, Peru, S. Cone, Sp; buzo (diver) Mex, G, Hond, ES #Ivana is on the ball.#Ivana es muy avispada.

to be on the ball #tener bien puestas las pilas, estar con las pilas puestas #Untitled3688#to have one's batteries well placed# DR, Ven, Ch, U, Peru# That guy is very clever; he's really on the ball.# Ese chico es muy listo; tiene las pilas bien puestas.


on the fly (quickly) #de volada #Untitled4076 #of flown away# Mex, ES, Col; de volon pinpon Mex, ES; de boleto (of ticket) Mex # That can be done on the fly. #Eso se hace de volada.

to be on the prowl (out to get [a lover]) #andar tras sus huesos #Untitled163#to go after his or her bones# Mex, ES # That girl is very stuck-up. She thinks all the guys are on the prowl after her.# Esa chava es muy creida. Piensa que todos los chicos andan tras sus huesos.

on the right foot (in the right way) #con el pie derecho #Untitled2955#with the right foot# L. Am., Sp # We want to start off on the right foot. #Queremos empezar con el pie derecho. 


on the spur of the moment (suddenly) #de buenas a primeras #Untitled421#from good ones to first ones# L. Am., Sp. # On the spur of the moment we decided to go to Costa Rica. #De buenas a primeras decidimos ir a Costa Rica.


to be on the way out (ready to leave) #estar con un (el) pie en el estribo #Untitled2956#to have one [the] foot in the stirrup# Mex, ES, S. Cone, Sp; estar con las botas puestas (to have one's boots on) Mex, Sp# I'll call you back; right now I'm on the way out.# Te volvere a llamar, ahorita estoy con un pie en el estribo.


once in a blue moon# de uvas a peras #Untitled3990#from grapes to pears# most of L. Am., Sp; de Pascuas a Ramos (from Easter to Palm Sunday) most of L. Am., Sp; cada muerte de un obispo (each death of a bishop) Col, S. Cone; de higos a brevas (from figs to early figs) Sp # We don't eat a lot of meat. Once in a blue moon I buy a chicken #No comemos mucha carne. De uvas a peras compro un pollo,

one for the road (usually referring to a drink) #la del estribo #Untitled1465#the one of the stirrup# Mex, ES, S. Cone # Let's have one for the road! #Echemos la del estribo!

one way or another (by force or voluntarily) #por las buenas o por las malas #Untitled3115#for the good or for the bad# L. Am., Sp # You're going with me to the concert one way or another. #Vas a acompaÒarme al concierto por las buenas o por las malas.

to only have eyes for something or someone (desire or want) #irsele a alguien los ojos por algo o alguien #Untitled1928#to have one's eyes go after something or someone# Mex, DR, ES, U, Arg, Sp # They showed me a lot of coats, but I only had eyes for this blue jacket.# Me mostraron muchos abrigos, pero se me fueron los ojos por esta chaqueta azul.

onward and upward. #To'el tiempo pa'lante. #Untitled4268#All the time forward.# Caribbean #Onward and upward, my friends, because going backwards brings us nothing.#To'el tiempo pa'lante, amigos mios, porque p'atrds no trae nada!


to open one's heart to someone #abrir su corazon a alguien #Untitled4##Mex, DR, U, Arg, Sp # Finally Ana opened her heart to him. #Finalmente Ana le abrio su corazon.

to open up# destaparse #Untitled1234#to uncork oneself# L. Am.; despegar la boca (to unstick the mouth) Mex, Sp; soltar la lengua (to loosen the tongue) DR, S. Cone; cantar. (to sing) Sp # Open up, honey. What happened? #Destapate, cariÒo. Que paso?

openly (frankly) #a calzon quitado #Untitled552#with underwear removed# L. Am. #I told him frankly that I didn't want to see him again in my home.# A calzon quitado le dije que no lo queria ver mas en mi casa.


out of it (not understanding anything) #fuera de onda #Untitled1558##Mex, DR, ES, Col, U, Sp # You can't talk to Antonieta. She's totally out of it and doesn't understand anything. #No se puede hablar con Antonieta. Esta totalmente fuera de onda y no entiende nada.

to be out of it (not on the same page) #no estar en na'a (nada) #Untitled4269#to not be in anything# most of L. Am.; estar fuera de base (de orbita) (to be off base [out of orbit]) Mex, Nic, Col, U # Her brothers and sisters spoke to her about the inheritance from their parents, but it's obvious that she's out of it. She refused to listen.# Sus hermanos hablaron con ella sobre la herencia de los padres, pero es obvio que ella no esta en nada. No quiso escuchar.

out of luck (to have bad luck) #salado(-a) #Untitled3484#salty; note that in Spain this means nice or kind# most of L. Am. (not Arg); estrellado(-a) (seeing stars) Mex, ES, S. Cone # That man is really out of luck! First he lost his job and then they stole his car. #Que hombre mas salado! Primero perdio su empleo y despues le robaron el carro.


out of the blue (unexpected) #como caido(-a) de las nubes #Untitled863#like fallen from the clouds# Mex, Sp# Your visit comes out of the blue. I needed to talk to someone.# Tu visita es como caida de las nubes. Necesitaba hablar con alguien.

out of the ordinary (outstanding) #fuera de serie #Untitled1559#out of series# L. Am., Sp # That guy is out of the ordinary; he always gets "excellent" in everything. #Ese chico es un fuera de serie; siempre saca "excelente" en todo.

out of the question! #Ni hablar. #Untitled2473 ##L. Am., Sp# Are you going to go out with Ines? -Out of the question! I won't do it. #Vas a salir con Ines? -Ni hablar! No lo hare.


to outdo oneself (do something unusual, doing things well)# lucirse #Untitled2082#to shine# Mex, Peru, U # He outdid himself with the dinner. # Se lucio con la comida.

outlandish (weird, usually referring mainly to dress) #estrafalario(-a)#Untitled1463## L. Am., Sp # That girl always looks outlandish. What an outlandish dress!# Esa chica siempre se ve muy estrafalaria. Que vestido mas estrafalario!

to outsmart oneself (try to show oneself [erroneously] to be smarter than others) #pasarse de listo(-a) (vivo[-a]) #Untitled2803#to pass oneself as clever, be overly clever# L. Am., Sp #You outsmarted yourself! #Te pasaste de listo!


over and over again (on and on) #dale que dale#Untitled1066## L. Am., Sp # Here I am, cooking over and over again. #Aqui estoy, dale que dale a la cocina.

over the hill (geezer) #entradito(-a) en aÒos #Untitled1421#a little bit entered into years, euphemism# most of L. Am., Sp #How old is Facundo? -I don't know, but he's over the hill. #Cuantos aÒos tiene Facundo? -No to se, pero ya esta entradito en aÒos.


to overlook (ignore) #hacer la vista gorda #Untitled1700#to do the fat look# L. Am., Sp; hacerse de la vista choncha Mex # Ana came late, but the boss overlooked it. #Ana llego tarde, pero el jefe hizo la vista gorda.

to oversleep# pegarsele a alguien las sabanas #Untitled2863#to have the sheets stick to one# L. Am., Sp; quedarse dormido(-a) (to stay asleep) L. Am., Sp # I overslept and got to the airport late. #Se me pegaron las sabanas y llegue tarde al aeropuerto.

overwhelmed with emotion# abrumado(-a) #Untitled4270##L. Am., Sp; copado(-a), recopado(-a) (cupped, trophied, usually with positive emotion or joy) Arg #What a lovely gift! I'm overwhelmed. #Que lindo regalo! Estoy copada.





pain (boring, bothersome) #latoso(-a) #Untitled2001##Mex, DR, ES, Col, Ec, Ch #That girl is a big pain. #Esa muchacha es bien latosa.

to be a pain (to be a drag, pain in the neck) #ser pesado(-a) #Untitled2927#to be weighty# L. Am., Sp; ser un higado (to be a liver) Mex; ser un(-a) desubicado(-a) (disoriented one) S. Cone; ser una lata (to be a tin can) Florida, Mex, DR, G, ES, Col, Ch, Sp# Don't invite him to the party; he's a pain. #No lo invites a la fiesta; es un pesado.

pain in the ass (annoying or bothersome; all vulgar) #chingon, chingona #Untitled737##Chicano, Mex, C. Am.; jodon, jodona Mex, DR, G, Col; la jodedera PR, ES, CR, Col; la jodienda DR# Valentin doesn't want to do business with pain in the ass clients. #Valentin no quiere hacer negocios con los clientes chingones. 


paper-pusher #el/la chupatintas #Untitled783#ink sucker# Mex, Ch, Sp # Ever since they promoted her, she's a paper-pusher.# Desde que la ascendieron, es una chupatintas.

part and parcel of the job (occupational hazards) #los gajes del oficio #Untitled1577#matters of the trade# Mex, DR, ES, Nic, S. Cone, Sp; los percances del oficio (chances of the trade) ES, Nic, Sp# Roberto broke his arm while mountain climbing. It's understood that these are part and parcel of the job.# Roberto se rompio el brazo mientras escalaba. Ya se sabe, son gajes del oficio.


to party #ir de parranda#Untitled1897## L. Am., Sp; irse de rumba Mex, Cuba; irse de cachondeo Sp; irse (salir) de marcha Sp # To celebrate the triumph, we went out partying. #Para festejar el triunfo, fuimos de parranda.

party animal #el/la parrandero#Untitled4271## L. Am.; el/la parrandista, fiestero(-a) Mex, Col; jaranero (-a) Sp # Marcos is a tireless party animal. #Marcos es un parrandista incansable.

party crasher #el/la colado(-a) #Untitled822#passed through a sieve# L. Am., Sp; el/la paracaidista (parachutist) DR, Nic, CR, Ec, Peru, S. Cone# Let's not talk about the party in front of Ramon; he's a party crasher and it's a sure thing he'll come with all his friends.# No hablemos de la fiesta delante de Ramon; es un paracaidista y seguro viene con sus amigos.

party pooper # el aguafiestas, el/una aguafiestas #Untitled74#party water, maybe implying someone who pours water over something to ruin it# L. Am., Sp # Since I didn't want to be a party pooper, I went with them. #Como no queria ser aguafiestas, fui con ellos.


to pass (on something) (decline) #pasar#Untitled2779## Mex, S. Cone # Would you marry my sister? -No, I pass. #Te casarias con mi hermana? -No, yo paso.

to pass away (to kick the bucket) #fallecer#Untitled4272## L. Am., Sp; pasar a mejor vida (to go to a better life) L. Am., Sp; irse para el (al) otro barrio (mundo) (to go to the other neighborhood [world]) L. Am., Sp # Julia passed away last night, after a great deal of suffering. #Julia paso a mejor vida anoche, despues de sufrir mucho.

to pass the buck (avoid work or responsibility) #pasar la pelota #Untitled1238#to pass the ball# parts of L. Am., Sp; escurrir el bulto (to drain the shape or package) Mex, Ch, U, Sp# He always passes the buck when its time to pay.# Siempre escurre el bulto cuando hay que pagar.

to pat on the back (compliment, praise) #echar flores #Untitled1318#to throw flowers# L. Am., Sp #What a pat on the back you're giving me! #Que flores me esta echando!

to patch things up #hacer las paces #Untitled1701#to make peace# L. Am., Sp; arreglar el pastel (to fix the cake) S. Cone #I really want to patch things up with them. We can't go on like this. #Tengo ganas de hacer las paces con ellos. No podemos continuar asi.

paunch (beer belly, potbelly) #la panza#Untitled4273## L. Am., Sp; la guata Peru, Bol, Ch # You have a big paunch; you need a bigger size.# Tienes mucha panza; necesitas una talla mos grande.

to pay attention (listen up)# enchufarse #Untitled1399#to plug in; also, less commonly, to have sex, as in Me enchufe a esa chica.# Mex, U #Pay attention. I'm going to explain the issue to you. #Enchufate. Voy a explicarte el asunto.

to pay attention to (someone) #hacerle caso #Untitled1672#to make a case to him or her# L. Am., Sp; prestarle atencion (to lend attention to him or her) L. Am., Sp; pelarle (to peel him or her) Mex, ES; llevarle el apunte (llevar de apunte) (to keep track of the score) S. Cone; darle bola (to give the ball) S. Cone; pararle bola (to stop the ball) Ven # I tried to explain the situation, but they didn't pay attention to me.# Trate de explicar la situation, pero no me dieron bola.

to pee# mear(se)#Untitled2247 ## L. Am., Sp # Hurry up. Let me use the bathroom because I'm peeing in my pants. #Apurate. Dejame el baÒo porque me meo.


to be a people person# tener don de gentes #Untitled4274#to have the gift of peoples# L. Am., Sp; ser una persona carismatica L. Am., Sp; ser entrador(-a) (enterer) Col, S. Cone # Dr. Alvarez is very popular as a conference speaker because she is a people person. #La doctora Alvarez es muy buscada para conferenciante porque tiene don de gentes.

to perk things (or someone) up #ser levanta muertos #Untitled2014#to be a raiser of the dead# Mex, Nic, U, Peru, Arg# This soup perks me right up. #Esta sopa es levanta muertos.


pervert (who likes to touch women inappropriately) #el pulpo #Untitled3205#octopus# Mex, DR, Cal, Sp# I'm not dancing with that man because he's a pervert. #Yo no bailo con ese hombre porque es un pulpo.

pest (irritating person) #el chicle #Untitled712#chewing gum# Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, G; la ladilla (leech) Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, G, Col, Ven, Peru; pegajoso(-a) (sticky) Mex, Col, Ch; chayote (vegetable with prickly skin) Mex, PR; el/la hincha (hinchapelotas) (inflator [of balls], vulgar) U, Arg # Let's get out of here because Tomas has already arrived. -Oh, that pest! If he sees us, he'll stick to us like glue.# Vamonos de aqui que ya llego Tomas. -Ay, ese chicle! Si nos ve, no se nos despega.

pet (favorite)# el/la mimado(-a) #Untitled4275#pampered one# L. Am., Sp; el/la consentido(-a) (one who is given into) L. Am., Sp el regalon, la regalona (big gift-getter) Ch # That girl is her grandparents' pet. #Esta niÒa es la regalona de sus abuelos.



to pick a fight (to have a blowup) #armar una bronca#Untitled1342## L. Am., Sp; hacer un coraje Mex, G #Carmen picked a fight at the airport when they told her that her suitcases were not on her flight.# Carmen hizo un coraje en el aeropuerto cuando le dijeron que sus maletas no estaban en el vuelo.


to pick up (someone) #ligar #Untitled2026#to link# L. Am., Sp; levantarse (a alguien) Mex, DR, PR, G, ES, Col, U, Arg; hacer un levante Mex, DR, PR, G, Col # He picked her up during the holidays. #Se la ligo durante las fiestas.

to pick up (someone) in your car (to take them somewhere) #pasar por #Untitled4276#to pass by for# L. Am., Sp # I'll pick you up at 8:00 sharp. #Paso por ti a las ocho en punto.


to be a piece of cake (easy; said of things) #ser facilingo#Untitled1472# # parts of L. Am.; ser pan comido (to be eaten bread) Mex, DR, PR, S. Cone, Sp; ser un mamey (to be a mamey, a fruit) PR, Cal; estar chupado(-a) (to be sucked) Sp#Don't worry. That job is a piece of cake.# No to preocupes. Ese trabajo es pan comido.

piece of gossip #el chisme #Untitled4277##L Am., Sp; los chismorreos most of L. Am., Sp; el chambre ES; la copucha Ch; la bola (ball) Cuba, DR, G, ES, CR, U, Arg # You really believe that she said that? It's probably just a piece of gossip. #Tu crees de verdad que ella dijo eso? A lo mejor es una bola.

piece of junk #la porqueria #Untitled3153##L. Am., Sp; la chafa (low-quality or fake item) Mex, G, ES # This a Rolex? No, it's a fake. #Esto un Rolex? No, es una chafa.

piece of shit! #Una mierda! #Untitled4278##L. Am., Sp; Chorro de mierda! (Squirt of shit!; vulgar) DR, PR, ES##

pig (dirty or fat; undesirable person) #el cochino #Untitled4279##L. Am., Sp; el marrano Mex, G, Col, Sp; el/la cerdo(-a) (pig) Sp; el/la guarro(-a) (pig, swine) Sp # What a pig! Look how she eats. It looks like they never taught her good manners.#Que marrana! Mira coma come. Parece que nunca le enseÒaron buenos modales.

to pig out (to stuff oneself) #ponerse hasta el gorro #Untitled3086#to put oneself up to one's cap# Mex, Sp; ponerse Jas botas (to put on one's boots) U, Sp #They pigged out at the party.# Se pusieron hasta el gorro en la fiesta.

pig-headed (difficult to convince or get) #terco(-a) #Untitled4280#stubborn# L. Am., Sp; duro(-a) (hard) Mex, G, Ch; duro(-a) de pelar (hard to peel) U, Sp # I tried to talk to her several times, but she's pig-headed and doesn't listen to reason.# Intente hablar con ella varias veces, pero es dura y no entiende razones.

pimp #el puto (vulgar) #Untitled3237##parts of L. Am.; el padrote Mex, G, ES, Col; el chulo DR, PR, Pan, Col, Yen, Sp (RVAR Ch: lout); el chivo (kid goat) C. Am., Col; el cafiche S. Cone #Felipe is a pimp; he never works. #Felipe es un chulo; nunca trabaja.

pinch (small adjustment, tweaking) #el pellizco #Untitled2877#pinch# L. Am., Sp# I need a pinch of sugar for the coffee.# Necesito un pellizco de azucar para el cafe


to play hard to get (like to be begged) #hacerse de rogar #Untitled1744#to make oneself begged# L. Am., Sp # My sister likes to play hard to get.# A mi hermana le gusta hacerse de rogar.


to play one's cards right (do something with astuteness) #jugar bien sus cartas#Untitled1966## Mex, DR, S. Cone, Sp # We've had success with the business. Armando is bright and played his cards right. #Salimos bien en el negocio. Armando es astuto y jugo bien las cartas.

to play one's last trick #quemar el ultimo cartucho #Untitled3314#to burn the last cartridge# L. Am., Sp; jugar la ultima carta (to play the last card) Mex, U, Arg, Sp # They didn't dare play their last trick and the project failed. #No se atrevieron a quemar el ultimo cartucho y el proyecto fracaso.

to play second fiddle (not be treated with consideration) #ser plato de segunda mesa #Untitled3003#to be a plate of a second table# Mex, DR, PR, ES, Sp (RVAR Mex: used mainly for women who are with married men) # I am not playing second fiddle. (I don't play second fiddle to anyone.) #Yo no soy plato de segunda mesa.

to play the game (to follow the crowd, to go along with) #bailar al son que le tocan #Untitled280#to dance to the sound that is played# L. Am., Sp # Esteban always goes along with the others and plays the game. #Esteban siempre baila al son que le tocan.

to play tourist (go on an outing) #turistear#Untitled3977 ## Mex, DR, ES, CR, Col # During our last vacation we played tourist at the national parks. #En las ultimas vacaciones turisteamos los parques nacionales.


to pluck up one's courage #hacer de tripas corazon #Untitled1682#to make heart of one's guts# L. Am., Sp; sacar fuerzas de flaquezas (to take force from weakness) L. Am., Sp # In spite of the problem I had, I plucked up my courage and went to the meeting. #A pesar del problema que tenia, hice de tripas corazon y fui a la reunion.


plugging along. #siempre pa'lante. #Untitled3569#Always forward.# DR, PR, Col, Ven #How are you, DoÒa Tomasa? -Just plugging along, my dear. #Como anda, doÒa Tomasa? -Siempre pa'lante, m'hija.

to point the finger at someone (single out)# seÒalar a alguien con el dedo; poner el dedo a alguien#Untitled3554 ## Mex, ES, Peru, Ch, Sp # He pointed the finger at the drug dealer. #Le puso el dedo al narcotraficante.

point-blank (directly, straight out) #a quema ropa #Untitled3311#at burning of clothing# L. Am., Sp # When I saw him, I gave him the news point-blank.# Cuando lo vi, le di las noticias a quema ropa.


pooch (dog) #el chucho #Untitled773##Mex, ES # The robber came in the window, and the pooch attacked him. #El ladron entro por la ventana, y el chucho lo ataco.


poor (little) thing! #Pobrecito(-a)!#Untitled3017 ##L. Am., Sp # The poor little thing. She is very sick. #Pobrecita la niÒa. Esta muy enferma.

to pop someone's cherry (have sex with a virgin) #inaugurar el pastel #Untitled1876#to inaugurate the cake# Mex, Col # Before getting married, we popped the cherry. #Antes de casarnos, inauguramos el pastel.

to pop up everywhere #salir hasta en la sopa #Untitled3500#to come up even in the soup# L. Am., Sp # Felipe, we bump into each other again? You seem to pop up everywhere. #Felipe, otra vez nos encontramos? Me sales hasta en la sopa.

porn #la porno #Untitled3150#short for pornografia#L. Am., Sp # I found some porn magazines in Pablito's room.# Encontre unas revistas porno en el cuarto de Pablito.

posh (high-class)# popis #Untitled3094 ##Mex, Col # It's a posh hotel.# Es un hotel popis.


potbellied #barrigon, barrigona #Untitled316##L. Am., Sp; tripon, tripona L. Am., Sp; guaton, guatona Ch, Peru# Roberta is potbellied because she's pregnant.# Roberta esta barrigona porque esta embarazada.


potty #el trono, trono de los cesares #Untitled3965#throne, throne of the Caesars# Mex, Col # Where's little Pepe? He's on the potty.# Donde estd Pepito? Esta sentado en el trono.


to present a pretty picture  #pintarlo (de) color de rosa #Untitled2972#to paint it pink# Mex, PR, ES, CR, Col, Ch, U, Sp; pintarselo bonito (to paint it pretty) Mex, DR, PR, ES, Col# I have to present a pretty picture so she will go out with me.# Tengo que pintarselo bonito para que salga conmigo.

pretty please #porfa #Untitled3149#short for por favor# most of L. Am., Sp; por favorciano (mi amorciano) Mex, Col # Come with me to the doctor, pretty please.# AcompaÒame al medico, porfa.

pricey #salado(-a) #Untitled3484#salty# S. Cone # In that store over there things are really pricey.# En aquella tienda los precios son muy salados.

to prick up one's ears (to pay attention) #parar oreja (parar las orejas, parar la oreja) #Untitled2745#to put up one's ear or ears# L. Am., Sp; poner la antena (to put up one's antenna) Mex, Sp; levantar la antena (to raise one's antenna) Mex, Col; parar bolas (to put up one's balls) Nic, Ven, Ec, U # Prick up your ears: listen carefully to what I'm going to tell you. It's very important. #Para la oreja: escucha bien lo que to voy a decir. Es muy importante.

prime of life #la flor de la vida #Untitled1522#flower of life# L. Am., Sp# That boy is in the prime of his life. #Ese chico esta en la for de su vida.

to primp (fix oneself up to go out) #empilcharse #Untitled1382#from pilcha, piece of clothing (to put on pieces of clothing) #U, Arg # We bought stuff on sale, and primped to go out on the town.# Compramos a buen precio, y nos empilchamos para salir de parranda.

prince charming (ideal man)# el principe azul #Untitled3179#blue prince# L. Am., Sp # Estela is enchanted with her prince charming.# Estela esta encantada con su principe azul

princess (high-maintenance young woman who is innocent but also a bit spoiled) #la fresa #Untitled1547#strawberry# most of L. Am., Sp # Veronica is a princess; her parents spoil her a lot. #Veronica es una fresa; sus papas la miman mucho.

private parts #las partes #Untitled4281#parts, euphemism# most of L. Am., Sp # Martina told the doctor that her private parts are hurting her. #Martina le dijo a la doctora que le duelen sus partes.


to pull someone's leg (to make fun of) #tomar el pelo a alguien #Untitled3888 #to pull someone's hair# L. Am., Sp; darsela a alguien con queso (to give it to someone with cheese) Sp # The student was pulling the teacher's leg.# El alumno le tomaba el pelo a la maestra.

to pull strings (go to everyone or do everything to solve a problem) #palanquear #Untitled2699#to move levers# ES, Col, Peru, S. Cone; tocar muchas teclas (to touch many keys) U, Arg, Sp; muÒequear (to wrist) Peru, S. Cone# Ernest pulled some strings for me, and I got the job. #Ernesto me palanqueo, y consegui el trabajo.

to pull the chair out from under someone (cook someone's goose, often by saying bad things to others behind his or her back) #serrucharle el piso a alguien #Untitled3559#to saw off the floor under someone# Hand, Nic, CR, Col, Ec, Peru, S. Cone # Mireya pulled the chair out from under me with the boss by telling him lies when I went on vacation. #Mireya me serrucho el piso con mi jefe cuando fui de vacaciones.


to push up daisies (be dead) #criar margaritas #Untitled1014#to grow daisies# Mex, Sp #If it weren't for you, I'd be pushing up daisies now.# Si no fuera por ti, estaria criando margaritas ahora.


to be pushing fifty (forty, etc.) years old #rondar los cincuenta (cuarenta, etc.) #Untitled3439#to round the fifty, [forty], etc.# ES, S. Cone, Sp # How old is your cousin? -I'm not sure. She must be pushing forty, like me. #Cuantos aÒos tendra to prima? -No estoy seguro. Debe rondar los cuarenta, como yo.

pushover (softie; person everyone takes advantage of) #el/la blandengue #Untitled349#soft and squishy# Mex, DR, Arg, Sp; el/la agachado(-a) (bent over) Mex; el semaforo de medianoche (traffic light at midnight) Ven # I don't study much because my professors are pushovers. #No estudio mucho porque mis profesores son blandengues.

push-ups #las lagartijas #ntitled1986#lizards# Mex, DR, G, ES, Col # The instructor had us do push-ups.# El instructor nos puso a hacer lagartijas.

pushy (person) (insensitive to others) #conchudo(-a) #Untitled916#hard-shelled# Mex, C. Am., Ven, Col, Ec, Bol, Peru; el/la patudo(-a) ([ugly] bigfoot) S. Cone; el/la cara dura (hard face) ES, PR, S. Cone # Trinidad is so pushy that even though they reject her, she comes back. #Trinidad es tan conchuda que aunque la rechazan, ella regresa.

pussy (female organ, all vulgar) #la panocha #Untitled4282#kind of candy# Chicano, Mex, ES, CR, Col; el bizcocho (biscuit) Chicano, Mex; la papaya (papaya) Mex, Cuba, Nic, Col; la torta (cake) Mex, G, ES; el chocho (round sweet) Mex, Cuba, Nic, Sp (RVAR PR: la chocha); la cuca (sedge; a sweet) DR, G, ES, Col, Ven; el bollo (bread roll) Cuba, PR, ES, Nic, Col; el bicho (bug) PR; la chucha Ch, Peru; la concha (shell) S. Cone##


to put a hex on someone (try to cause him or her bad luck) #echar mal de ojo #Untitled1328#to throw the evil eye# Cuba, DR, PR, S. Cone # It would seem someone has put a hex on me; everything is going badly. #Pareceria que me ban echado mal de ojo; todo me sale mal.

to put a lid on it (be quiet, to keep one's lips sealed) #cerrar el pico #Untitled652#to close the beak# Mex, DR, PR, U, Arg, Sp; doblar el pico (to fold up the beak) Mex, ES; quedarse como en misa (to be left as in mass) CR, Col, U; achantarse Sp # Put a lid on it, the children are listening.# Cierra el pico, que los niÒos estan escuchando.

to put a stop to something #poner freno a algo #Untitled3055#to put the brake on something# most of L. Am., Sp # My daughter wanted to get married at seventeen, but I put a stop to that nonsense. #Mi hija queria casarse a los diecisiete aÒos, pero yo le puse freno a esa locura.

to put all one's eggs in one basket (bet everything at once) #jugarse el todo por el todo #Untitled1972#to bet all for all# L. Am., Sp; jugarselo todo a una carta Mex, S. Cone, Sp; poner toda la came en el asador (to put all the meat on the spit) Mex, Sp # They decided to put all their eggs in one basket when they bought the business.# Decidieron jugarse el todo por el todo cuando compraron el negocio.

to put down (criticize) #tirar piedras #Untitled3834#to throw stones# Mex, ES, CR, Col; tirar arroz (to throw rice) Mex, ES, Nic, Peru; rajar (to split) Col, Peru, Bol, U, Arg # I'm leaving here because they're putting people down.# Me voy de aca porque estan tirando piedras.

to put in a tight spot (act cruelly toward someone or ask too much of someone) #llevar (poner) contra la pared (la tabla) #Untitled2046#to take against the wall [board]# Mex, Cuba, G, Ch, U# My girlfriend put me in a tight spot and I had to tell her I still don't want to get married.# Mi novia me puso contra la pared y tuve que decirle que aun no me quiero casar

to put in one's two cents# meter la cuchara #Untitled2301#to put in the spoon# L. Am., Sp; meter baza (to play a card trick) Ch, Sp # I put in my two cents to tell them the truth. #Meti la cuchara para decirles la verdad.


to put on the finishing touch (to perfect) #dar la ultima pincelada #Untitled1108#to give the last brush stroke# Sp #Last night we put the finishing touch on the project; tomorrow we present it in public. #Anoche dimos la ultima pincelada al proyecto; maÒana lo presentamos en publico.

to put one's cards on the table (be direct about a situation, explain it without concealing anything) #poner las cartas sobre la mesa #Untitled3059#to put one's cards on the table# L. Am., Sp # We put our cards out on the table for the lawyer of the opposition. #Le pusimos las cartas sobre la mesa al abogado contrincante.

to put one's foot down (put a stop to something) #poner freno a algo #Untitled3055#to put the brake on something# most of L. Am., Sp; pararle el carro a alguien (to stop someone's cart) S. Cone, Sp # My daughter wanted to get married at seventeen, but I put my foot down on that nonsense.# Mi hija queria casarse a los diecisiete aÒos, pero yo le puse freno a esa locura.

to put one's foot in one's mouth (make a mistake) #meter la pata #Untitled2304#to put one's foot in# L. Am., Sp# You've said too much; you put your foot in your mouth. #Hablaste demasiado; metiste la pata.


to put someone in his or her place # poner a alguien en su sitio (lugar)#Untitled3040 ## L. Am., Sp; bajarle a alguien los humos (to lower someone's smoke) Mex, DR, PR, S. Cone, Sp; poner a raya (to put a stripe, line) Mex, Ch, Sp; bajarle el copete (to take down his or her crest or hairpiece) S. Cone#The lady put that rude bureaucrat in his place. #La seÒora le bajo los humos al funcionario mal educado.

to put someone on (say crazy or wild things that make no sense, tease) #vacilar #Untitled3994#to vacillate, go back and forth# Mex, C. Am., Col, Ven, Ec, Peru, Sp mensear Mex; macanear U, Arg # I never know when he's serious about what he's saying, he's always putting us on. #Nunca se cuando habla en serio; siempre esta vacilando.

to put someone on the spot (by asking an indiscreet question or getting the person to do something embarrassing) #avergonzar #Untitled4283#to embarrass# L. Am., Sp; balconear a alguien (to balcony someone) Mex, ES # The reporter put the man on the spot in front of his colleagues.# La reportera balconeo al seÒor delante de sus colegas.

to put someone's nerves on edge #poner a alguien los nervios de punta #Untitled3041#to make someone's nerves stand up# L. Am., Sp #The message put my nerves on edge. #El mensaje me puso los nervios de punta.

to put the ball back in someone's court (get the best of someone, counter someone with their own arguments or reasoning)# devolver la pelota a alguien #Untitled1238#to return the ball to someone# Mex, DR, Sp # Marta's a genius; when she's debating something, no one can put the ball back in her court.# Marta es un genio; cuando discute no hay quien le devuelva la pelota.

to put the cart before the horse #empezar la casa por el tejado#Untitled1381#to begin the house with the roof# Sp # Don't be in such a hurry, boy; you need to learn your job well. Don't put the cart before the horse. #No to apures, muchacho; tienes que aprender to trabajo bien. No se puede empezar la casa por el tejado.

to put the whole thing behind one (you, us, etc.) #dar vuelta a la pagina #Untitled1136#to turn the page# ES, CR, S. Cone, Sp #It's better to forget that affair and put the whole thing behind us.# Es mejor olvidarnos de ese asunto y dar vuelta a la pagina.


to put to sleep (bore) #amuermar#Untitled140## Sp # That guy puts anyone to sleep. #Ese tipo amuerma a cualquiera.

to put two and two together# atar cabos #Untitled245#to tie ends# L. Am., Sp # Putting two and two together, I guessed they were cousins.# Atando cabos, adivine que eran primos.


put-down (disparaging remark) #la quemada #Untitled3312#burn# Chicano, Mex, U; el corton Mex; el corte (cut) Sp# She said that to you? What a put-down! #Te dijo eso? Que quemada!

to putz around# tontear#Untitled3905 ## L. Am., Sp # I was putzing around (going along stupidly) for a half hour, but I finally found the house.# iba tonteando durante media hora, pero por fin encontre la casa.


quack doctor #el/la matasanos #Untitled2240#healthy people-killer# most of L. Am., Sp#The quack doctor recommended a very ineffective cure. #El matasanos recomendo un remedio muy inefectivo.

quick as lightning (lightning fast) #como un rayo #Untitled899#like a lightning bolt# ES, Nic, CR, Ch, U, Sp #He's quick as lightning. #Es rapido como un rayo.


to rain buckets, to rain cats and dogs #llover a cantaros #Untitled2068#to rain pitchers# L. Am., Sp # We came back early because it was raining buckets. #Regresamos pronto porque llovia a cantaros.

to raise a fuss #armarla #Untitled209#to arm it# Mex, Sp # Daniel raised a fuss with me. #Daniel me la armo.

to raise a hue and cry (complain loudly) #poner el grito en el cielo #Untitled3051#to put the cry to the heavens# L. Am., Sp; pegar el grito (to stick the shout) DR, CR, ES, Col, U # When your mother sees what you've done in the kitchen, she will raise a hue and a cry.# Cuando vea tu madre lo que has hecho en la cocina, va a poner el grito en el cielo.

to raise someone's spirits (inspire, encourage)# darle alas a alguien #Untitled4284#to give someone wings# Mex, DR, S. Cone, Sp; levantar el animo (to raise the spirit) L. Am., Sp # My brother's visit raised my spirits.# La visita de mi hermano me dio alas.


rat (person who rats on others) #el soplon, la soplona#Untitled4161## L. Am., Sp; el sapo (toad) Nic, CR, Col, Ven, ES, Peru; el chivato Mex, Cuba, DR, Sp # He's a rat. He tells everything. #Es un sapo. Todo lo cuenta.


to be ready, willing and able # estar al pie del caÒon #Untitled2954#to be at the foot of the cannon# Mex, ES, S. Cone, Sp; estar puesto(-a) (to be put, turned on) Mex, U; tener bien puestas las pilas, estar con las pilas puestas (to have one's batteries well placed) DR, Ven, Ch, U# If you need something, call me. I'll be here ready, willing, and able. #Si necesitas algo, llamame. Aqui estare al pie del caÒon.

to be a real slut #ser mas puta que las gallinas #Untitled2224#to be more of a slut than the hens are, vulgar# Mex, PR, ES, S. Cone, Sp# How could you have fallen in love with that woman? She's a real slut. #Como to enamoraste de esa mujer? Es mas puta que las gallinas.


a real smartie #el liston, la listona #Untitled2034#big clever# Mex, Col # Juan is a real smartie.# Juan es un liston.

the real thing (genuine; said of people) #de pura cepa #Untitled3216#of pure stock# most of L. Am., Sp # Jacinto is the real thing (very genuine). #Jacinto es una persona de pura cepa.

the real truth of the matter #la neta#Untitled2458## Mex; la verdad de la milanesa (the truth of the Milanese chop; slang) Peru, S. Cone # I told you the real truth of the matter. #Te platique la neta.

rear end (backside) #el trasero#Untitled3946 ## L. Am., Sp; el traste S.Cone; los pompis Mex, Col, Ven, Ec, Sp # I gave him a kick in the rear end and told him not to come back to my house.# Le di una patada en el trasero y le dije que no volviera a mi casa.

red hot (passions)# al rojo vivo #Untitled3077 ##Mex, Sp #This woman has me red hot. #Esta mujer me tiene al rojo vivo.

red-handed #con las manos en la masa #Untitled2178#with one's hands in the dough# L. Am., Sp # They caught him red-handed. #Lo agarraron con las manos en la masa.

regular guy, regular Joe # comun y corriente #Untitled912##L. Am., Sp; corriente y moliente Mex, Sp # Even though he's a famous actor, he's just a regular guy.# Aunque es un actor famoso, es una persona corriente y moliente.


reruns (of TV programs; rehashed stories) #refritos #Untitled3377#refried# Mex, Yen # There are reruns on all the channels, especially in the summer. #Hay refritos en todos los canales, especialmente en verano.

restroom # el baÒo #Untitled4285##L. Am., Sp; los servicios publicos (public services) L. Am., Sp; el excusado (the excused place; euphemism) Mex, Col, Ch; el privado (private; euphemism) Mex, Col#The public restrooms there are very dirty.# Los baÒos publicos alli estan muy sucios.


rich brats# los (niÒos) popis #Untitled2502#stuck-up kids# Mex # The rich brats ruined the school party.# Los (niÒos) popis arruinaron la fiesta del colegio.

to be riding high# estar en la cresta de la ola #Untitled1011#to be on the crest of the wave# Sp # This singer is riding high at the moment. #Esta cantante esta en la cresta de la ola en este momento.

riffraff #la chuzma #Untitled4286##L. Am., Sp; la pelusa (fuzz) Chicano, Mex # I don't want to share the beach with riffraff; let's go to the Miramar Hotel. #No quiero compartir la playa con la pelusa; vamos al hotel Miramar.

to be right (get [something] right)# dar en el blanco #Untitled1092#to hit the target# L. Am., Sp # You got that right, my friend: I need a loan. #Diste en el blanco, amigo: necesito un prestamo.

to be right for (to suit) #cuadrar #Untitled1023#to square# L. Am. # The color of this dress isn't right for me. #No me cuadra el color de este vestido.

right and left (all over the place) #a diestra y siniestra #Untitled1249#right and left# L. Am., Sp# On the highway there were restaurants right and left.# En la carretera habia restaurantes a diestra y siniestra.

right at hand (close by) #a pocos pasos #Untitled3024#at a few steps# Mex, S. Cone, Sp # We found the solution to the problem right at hand. #A pocos pasos encontramos la solucion del problema.

right away (immediately)# ahora mismo #Untitled90#now same# L. Am., Sp; en seguida L. Am., Sp #I'll bring your coffee right away, sir.#En seguida le traigo el cafe, seÒor

right from the start (the beginning) #de buenas a primeras #Untitled92#from good ones to first ones# L. Am., Sp# Right from the start we became friends.# De buenas a primeras nos hicimos amigos.

right now #ahorita #Untitled92#diminutive of ahora# L. Am. (not Cuba, S. Cone); ahora mismo (now same) L. Am., Sp # I'm going to clean the kitchen right now. #Ahorita voy a limpiar la cocina.

right off the bat (right from the start) #de buenas a primeras #Untitled421#from good ones to first ones# L. Am., Sp; al primer envite Sp # He's a softie who gives up right off the bat.# Es un tipo blando que se viene abajo al primer envite.


to rip off # estafar #Untitled4287##L. Am., Sp; clavar (to nail) Mex, Cuba, DR, G, CR, S. Cone, Sp; atracar (to hold up, waylay) Mex, DR, CR; tranzar Mex, ES; afanar Cuba, Peru, U, Arg, Sp; dar una clavada (to give a nailing) DR, Arg, Sp; bajar la cana (to lower the reed, cane) U, Arg # I'm sure the taxi driver ripped us off. #Estoy segura que el taxista nos estafo.

to rise to a challenge #recoger el guante #Untitled3368#to pick up the glove# Mex, S. Cone, Sp #I rose to the challenge and accepted the project from the architecture department. #Recogi el guante y acepte el proyecto del departamento de arquitectura.

to be roasting hot # sancocharse #Untitled3514##Mex, DR, PR, Col, Ch # I'm roasting hot. Open the windows! #Me estoy sancochando del calor. Abran las ventanas!

to rob Peter to pay Paul #desnudar a un santo para vestir a otro #Untitled1224#to strip one statue of a saint naked to dress another# S. Cone #With the restructuring of the province's budget, the governor robbed Peter to pay Paul.# Con la reestructuracion del presupuesto de la provincia, el gobernador desnudo a un santo para vestir a otro.


to roll off one's back (not affect or cause concern) #resbalarle algo a alguien #Untitled3399#to slide off someone# Mex, DR, PR, Sp # Pedro? The outcome (result) just rolls off his back. He has no interest in doing it well.#Pedro? Le resbala totalmente el resultado. No tiene ningun interes por hacerlo bien.


rotten bastard #pinche cabron (vulgar)#Untitled2968 ## Mex # You rotten bastard! Why did you steal my wallet? #Pinche cabron! Por que me robaste la cartera?

rubber (condom) #el sombrero (el gorro, gorrito) #Untitled3609#hat [cap]# Mex, DR, PR, G, ES, Col # Please don't risk your lives! If you're going to go out with women, take along some rubbers. #Por favor, no arriesguen sus vidas! Si van a salir con mujeres, lleven sombreros (gorritos).


run (streak, period of time) #la racha #Untitled3609##L. Am., Sp # We've had a bad run, but I think today we're going to win the game. #Hemos pasado una mala racha, pero creo que hoy vamos a ganar el partido.


to run (someone) off# correr #Untitled958#to run# Mex, C. Am., U, Arg # They ran us off from the party. #Nos corrieron de la fiesta.

to run something into the ground (insist on something) #ir y venir en una cosa #Untitled1907#to go and come in something# Sp # No one understood the teacher; he ran the subject into the ground.# Nadie entendio al profesor, vino y fue en el tema.

#øNOMBRE?

to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off #parecer chiva loca #Untitled2752#to seem like a crazy goat# Mex # Sit down, girl. You're running around like a chicken with its head cut off. #NiÒa, sientate. Pareces chiva loca.

he (she) is running it into the ground. #Cada loco con su tema. #Untitled488#Every crazy person with his or her subject, usually said when someone is excessively insistent about something.# L. Am., Sp # Maria doesn't stop talking about politics. She's running it into the ground.# Maria no deja de hablar de politica. Cada loco con su tema.

rush hour (peak hour of traffic or electricity use) #la(s) hora(s) pico#Untitled1844## Mex DR, Nic; la(s) hora(s) punta Ch, Sp # It's impossible to drive downtown during rush hour.# Es imposible manejar en el centro a la hora pico.


salt mines (work) #el camello #Untitled565#camel# Mex, ES, Col, Ec; el martilleo (hammering) Mex, Col# I quit at the salt mines (my job). #Renuncie al martilleo.

same as usual. Nothing new.# Por aqui (trabajando, estudiando, etc.). #Untitled3097#[I'm] Just here [working, studying].# L. Am., Sp; Aqui nomas. ([I'm] Just here.) Mex, C. Am.; Aqui pasandola. (Por aqui pasandola.) (Passing it here.) Mex, ES, Col, U, Arg # How are you, Felipe? -Same as usual, visiting my kids. #Como anda, don Felipe? -Por aqui, visitando a mis hijos.


same old story.# Este disco tiene raya. (Este disco esta rayado.) #Untitled4246#This record has a scratch [is scratched].# Mex, DR, ES, Nic, Ch; Y dale la burra al trigo. (And let the donkey keep at the wheat, said when someone keeps repeating the same thing.) Mex, ES, Col# Same old story. Always with the same thing. #Y dale la burra al trigo. Siempre con lo mismo.


to save one's skin #salvar el pellejo #Untitled3511##L. Am., Sp # They saved their skins by a miracle. They were the last to cross the bridge before the river washed it away. #Salvaron el pellejo de milagro. Fueron los ultimos en cruzar el puente antes que el rio se to llevara.


to be saved by the skin of one's teeth #salvarse por un pelo #Untitled3512#to be saved by a hair# Mex, ES, Peru, S. Cone, Sp# Two people died in the accident. I was saved by the skin of my teeth. #Dos personas murieron en el accidente. Yo me salve por un pelo.

to be savvy # estar puesto(-a) #Untitled3203#to be put, turned on# Mex, Sp # I hired Jimena because she is savvy. #Contrate a Jimena porque esta puesta.


to scare (frighten) #achantar#Untitled25## Nic, Sp; asustar L.Am., Sp # Your blackmail threats don't scare me. #A mi tus chantajes no me achantan.

to be scared shitless #subirsele a alguien los huevos (vulgar)#Untitled3631#to have one's eggs, or testicles, rise# Mex; tener los huevos de corbata, tenerlos por corbata (to have one's testicles as a tie) ES, Sp; estar cagado(-a) (to be pooped) S. Cone, Sp; tener los cojones por corbata or tenerlos por corbata (to have one's testicles as a tie) Sp #When I realized there was a robber in the house, I was scared shitless.# Cuando me di cuenta de que habia un ladron en la casa, se me subieron los huevos hasta la garganta.

to be scared stiff #estar muerto(-a) de miedo #Untitled2420#to be dead of fear# L. Am., Sp; estar achuchado(-a) Para, U, Arg # Miriam was scared stiff when she heard the news.# Miriam estaba muerta de miedo cuando oyo las noticias.

scaredy-cat (easily frightened) #asuston, asustona#Untitled243## Chicano, Mex #Claudia is afraid of everything. What a scaredy-cat! #Claudia tiene miedo de todo. Que asustona!

scatterbrained (clueless) #despistado(-a) #Untitled1232#off the path# L. Am., Sp # I'm completely scatterbrained (clueless); I don't know anything about the matter. #Estoy totalmente despistado; no se nada del asunto.

schmaltzy (overly sweet, sentimental) #cursi#Untitled1062## L. Am., Sp # Divine treasure of my soul and heart, do you want to go out for dinner? -Please don't be so schmaltzy.# Tesoro divino de mi alma y corazon, quieres ir a cenar? -Por favor, no seas tan cursi.


to scoot (walk very fast) #echar un patin #Untitled1338#to throw a skate# Mex, Cuba # He scooted (hightailed it) in an hour from the market to the port.# Echo un patin de una hora desde el mercado hasta el puerto.

to score (get) #ligar#Untitled2026## L. Am., Sp # I scored a plane to Mexico.# Ligue un avian a Mexico.


to screw (equivalent of the f-word; screw up, mess with; vulgar) #chingar #Untitled733#to rip, tear (vulgar)# Mex, Cuba, PR, C. Am., Col; joder (vulgar in some places but inoffensive in others) L. Am., Sp# Don't f-ing screw with me; I need money. #No me chingues; necesito dinero.

to screw around (goof off, not do anything) #tocarse las narices (los huevos, los cojones) #Untitled3855#to touch one's nose [testicles]; vulgar with huevos/cojones# Sp # That employee is very lazy; he's screwing around doing nothing all day.# Ese empleado es muy haragan; esta todos los dias tocandose las narices.

to screw it up even more #para acabarla de joder #Untitled2728#to finish screwing it up, vulgar# Chicano, Mex, DR, PR, G, ES, Col, Sp# To screw it up more, before the concert began, it started to rain and the stage fell apart.# Para acabarla de joder, antes de comenzar el concierto, empezo a llover y el escenario se desarmo.

to screw oneself (dishonor oneself) #cubrirse de mierda #Untitled1035#to cover oneself with shit, vulgar# Mex, Sp # Geronimo is very dishonest and he's screwed himself. #Geronimo es muy deshonesto y se ha cubierto de mierda.


screwed (messed up, all vulgar) #jodido(-a) #Untitled1955#past participle of joder# L. Am., Sp; chingado(-a) (chinga'o[-a]) (ripped, torn, broken) Mex, Cuba, PR, C. Am., Col; descojonado(-a) (without testicles) Mex, DR, PR, Col, Sp; estar cagado(-a) (to be pooped) S. Cone #I'm screwed. I have a lot of money problems.# Estoy jodida. Tengo muchos problemas economicos.

screw-up #la metida de pata #Untitled2324#the insertion of foot# Mex, DR, G, S. Cone, Sp; la barrabasada Mex, DR, Col, Ch, Arg, Sp; el error garrafal DR, PR, Nic, S. Cone, Sp # The screw-up was obvious. We had to apologize in front of those present. #La metida de pata fue obvia. Tuvimos que disculparnos frente a los presentes.


scrumptious (delicious) #rico(-a) #Untitled3420#rich# L. Am., Sp; para chuparse los dedos (for licking your fingers) L. Am., Sp #The food was scrumptious.# Estuvo muy rica la comida.


search me! #A mi que me registren! #Untitled3382 ##Mex, S. Cone, Sp # Search me! I don't know anything about the problem between you. #A mi que me registren! No se nada del problema entre ustedes.

see? #Viste? #Untitled4069#Did you see?# L. Am. # See? I knew I was right. #Viste? yo sabia que tenia razon.


see you. #nos wachamos. #Untitled4288#We'll see each other.; from the English "to watch"# Chicano; Ahi nos vidrios. (colloquial, We'll see each other there; but vidrios, pieces of glass, instead of vemos.) Mex, C. Am., Ven, Ec, Peru


see you next time (we meet). #hasta que nos topemos. #Untitled1790#Until we run into each other again.# Mex, G, ES, Col, Ec # It's been great talking with you, Andres. See you next time! #Un gusto de charlar contigo, Andres. Hasta que nos topemos!


to seem fishy (be suspicious) #no oler bien una cosa, oler mal #Untitled2565#to not smell good, to smell bad# Mex, S. Cone, Sp # This seems fishy to me.# Esto me huele mal.

to seem inept (uncoordinated, clumsy)# parecer un pato mareado #Untitled2756#to seem like a dizzy duck# Sp # He's not very good at physical exercises. You see my brother dance and he seems really uncoordinated.# No es muy habil con los ejercicios fisicos. lo ves a mi hermano bailar y parece un pato mareado.

to sell like hot cakes# venderse como pan caliente #Untitled4031#to sell like hot bread# most of L. Am. # The sandals that were on sale sold like hot cakes. #Las sandalias que estaban en oferta se vendieron como pan caliente.

to sell out #venderse#Untitled4030## L. Am., Sp # The representative sold himself out without caring about the consequences.# El diputado se vendio sin importarle las consecuencias.

sellout (person who sells out) #vendido(-a)#Untitled4032## L. Am. # They accused him of being a sellout when his team lost the game.# Lo acusaron de ser un vendido cuando su equipo perdio el partido.


to be senseless # no tener chiste #Untitled2602#to not have any joke# Mex, ES, Col, Peru, Bol# It's senseless that we have come out to take a walk; it's raining.# No tiene chiste que hayamos salido a pasear, esta lloviendo.

to serve two masters (work for two, often opposing, people or ideas) #comer a dos carrillos #Untitled838#to eat with two cheeks# U, Sp # You can't serve two masters; you have to choose. #No se puede comer a dos carrillos; tienes que escoger.

to settle down #sentar cabeza #Untitled3550#to seat head# most of L. Am., Sp # Finally my son got married and settled down. #Por fin mi hijo se caso y sento cabeza.

to settle in (stay in one place without moving) #apoltronarse#Untitled4289## L. Am., Sp; apalancarse Sp# I settled in at their house and we didn't go out in the evening.# Me apalanque en su casa y no salimos por la noche.

to settle it (agree on something, decide) #quedar #Untitled4290#to remain# L. Am. # Then we settled it.# Quedamos en eso.

sex appeal #el pegue#Untitled4291##Mex, ES, Col # That guy has sex appeal. #Ese chico tiene pegue.

to be a sex maniac (obsessed with sex, vulgar)# ser un cachondo mental#Untitled483## Sp # I'm a sex maniac and I have a good time.# Soy un cachondo mental y la paso muy bien.


sharp (astute) #vivaracho(-a)#Untitled4072 ## S. Cone, Sp #This dog is really lively and sharp. He runs and eats much more than the others.# Este perro es muy vivaracho. Corre y come mucho mos que los otros.

sharp as a tack (quick-witted) #avispado (-a) #Untitled264#wasped# L. Am., Sp; buzo (diver) Mex, G, Hond, ES; pillo(-a) Mex, Hond, CR, Col, Peru, S. Cone, Sp; abusado(-a) (abused) Mex; fino(-a) como un coral (fine as a coral) Sp# Paco is very clever, sharp as a tack. #Paco es muy avispado.


sheepish (embarrassed, inhibited) #avergonzado(-a) #Untitled4191##L. Am., Sp; chiveado(-a) Mex, ES # What's wrong with your brother? -He's sheepish and doesn't want to talk because there's the boss over there. #Que pasa con to hermano? -Esta chiveado y no quiere hablar porque alli esta el patron.

shenanigans (bad business, scheme)#el tejemaneje #Untitled3671#knack# L. Am., Sp; la movida Mex, G, ES, Ch # I don't know what shenanigans you're up to (bringing here) nor do I want to know.# No se que tejemanejes te traes ni quiero saberlos.

to shift gears (change pace) #cambiar de canal #Untitled556#to change the channel# Mex, DR, ES, Col # The minister (secretary) shifted gears so as not to talk about the subject of taxes.# El ministro cambia de canal para no hablar del tema de los impuestos.


shindig (party) #la pachanga, el pachangon#Untitled2679 ## most of L. Am. #What a huge shindig! There are a lot of people here. #Que pachanga! Hay mucha gente aqui.


shithead (vulgar)#el/la comemierda #Untitled837#shit eater# Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, G, ES, Nic, Col #I can't stand Lucy's cousin. He's a shithead; he thinks he's better than everyone else.# No soporto al primo de Lucy. Es un comemierda; se cree mejor que los demas.

to be a shithead (vulgar)# ser pura mierda (ser una mierda) #Untitled3218#to be pure shit [to be shitty]# Mex, DR, PR, ES, Ch, Sp # That guy is a real shithead. He doesn't help anyone.# Ese tipo es pura mierda. No ayuda a nadie.

shitty (vulgar) #de mierda #Untitled2333of shit# L. Am., Sp #How can he survive with that shitty (crappy) pension? #Como se puede mantener con esa pension de mierda?


to shock (surprise)# dejar a alguien frio(-a) (helado[-a]) #Untitled3677#to leave someone cold [frozen]# L. Am., Sp #The news of the president's death shocked me. #La noticia de la muerte del presidente me dejo frio.

to be shocked (stunned; surprised)# quedarse frio(-a) (helado[-a]) #Untitled3303#to end up cold [frozen]# L. Am., Sp; quedarse pasmado(-a) Mex, Col, Peru, S. Cone, Sp # I was shocked when they told me that their son had died. #Me quede helada cuando me dijeron que su hijo habia muerto.

shocking (surprising; used as an intensifier) #fuerte #Untitled1560#strong# Mex, Sp # They arrested him? How shocking! #Lo arrestaron? Que fuerte!

shoo! (Go away!) #Zape! #Untitled4127##DR, PR, Col# Shoo, kitty! Ma'am, take this cat out of here please. I'm allergic. #Zape, gato! SeÒora, llevese a este gato, por favor, que soy alergico.

shoot! (Darn!) #Miercoles! #Untitled2332#Wednesday!, euphemism for Mierda!# L. Am., Sp # Shoot! You need money again? #Miercoles! otra vez necesitas dinero?


shoplifter #el/la ratero(-a) #Untitled3352## L. Am.# The shoplifter took the jewelry.# El ratero se llevo las alhajas.

short (abrupt, giving short answers only) #cortante #Untitled969#cutting# L. Am., Sp # That doctor is very short with his patients.# Ese medico es bien cortante con sus pacientes.

to show no mercy (be ruthless)# no dar cuartel #Untitled2521#to not give any barracks# L. Am., Sp# We'll show no mercy to drug dealers. #No les vamos a dar cuartel a los narcotraficantes.

to show one's true colors (in a negative way)# mostrar los dientes #Untitled2401#to bare one's teeth# L. Am., Sp; quitarse la careta (to take off one's mask) Mex, ES, S. Cone; sacar las uÒas Mex, DR, S. Cone, Sp (RVAR Ec, Peru: mostrar las uÒas ) # The new supervisor didn't take long to show his true colors.# El nuevo supervisor no demoro en mostrar los dientes.

to show up# asomarse#Untitled240## L. Am.; descolgarse (to unhang oneself) Mex, ES; dejarse caer (to let oneself fall) Bol, Ch, Sp # The architect showed up at the construction site to make sure that all of us were working.# El arquitecto se asomo en el lugar de construccion para estar seguro que todos estabamos trabajando.

to shrink with fear (pain, etc.) #hacerse un ovillo (una pelota) #Untitled1755#to make oneself a little egg [a ball]# Sp # He shrank with fear and didn't want to talk to me.# Se hizo un ovillo y no me quiso hablar.


shut up! (put a lid on it!) #Corta! Corta! #Untitled4292#Cut! Cut!# Mex, PR; Cortala! (Cut it!) Mex, ES, S. Cone #Shut up. Nobody wants to hear any more from you. #Cortala. Nadie quiere escucharte mas.


to be shy (embarrassed) #tener pena #Untitled3779#to have sorrow# most of L. Am. (not S. Cone); cortarse, sentirse cortado(-a) (to cut oneself off, to feel cut off) S. Cone, Sp # Don't be shy, son. #No tengas pena, hijo.


to sidestep (avoid) #salirse por la tangente #Untitled3509#to go off on a tangent# Mex, S. Cone, Sp# Every time I ask him something and expect a concrete response, he sidesteps the issue.# Coda vez que le pregunto algo y espero una respuesta concreta, me sale por la tangente.

silly (feather-brained, foolish) #bobo(-a)#Untitled350## most of L. Am., Sp; casquivano(-a) L. Am., Sp; gafo(-a) Ven# Don't be silly! Think about what you're going to do.# No seas boba! Piensa en lo que vas a hacer.


sissy #el marica #Untitled4293#euphemism for maricon# L. Am., Sp; el mariquita Chicano, Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, Col, Ch, Sp # Don't be a sissy.# No seas mariquita.

sitter (babysitter) #el/la canguro #Untitled575#kangaroo#Sp # I'm the sitter; the lady of the house isn't home.# Soy la canguro; la seÒora no esta en casa,


to be skin and bones (very skinny) #salirse por el cuello de la camisa #Untitled3508#to go out by the neck of the shirt# Sp # Yesterday saw Omar. He's so thin he's just skin and bones.# Ayer vi a Omar. Esta tan delgado que parece que va a salirse por el cuello de la camisa.


to skip out on the bill# hacer un sinpa #Untitled1728#to do a no-pay, from sin pagar# Sp #Rolando skipped out on the bill at the bar. #Rolando hizo un sinpa en el bar.

skittery (wary) #escamado(-a) #Untitled1437#scaled, like a fish# Mex, PR, Col # I was skittery (and a bit surprised) about the hugs he gave me.# Estaba escamado por el abrazo que me dio.

to be sky-high (very expensive) #estar por las nubes #Untitled3116#to be in the clouds# Mex, DR, ES, S. Cone, Sp # Wow! Gasoline prices are sky-high now. #Caramba! La gasolina esta por las nubes ahora.

to slack off #achancharse #Untitled23#to become like a pig# Arg # Raquel has slacked off since her divorce. #Raquel esta totalmente achanchada despues de su divorcio.

slacker # flojo(-a) #Untitled1520#loose, slack#Mex, DR, PR, ES, CR, Col, Ch; aplatanado(-a) Mex, DR, PR, Sp (RVAR Sp: means sleepy); calzonudo(-a) (in oversized pants) CR, Col, Ch# That boy is a slacker; he never wants to do his homework. #Ese chico es muy flojo; nunca quiere hacer sus tareas.


to slam the door on someone (refuse someone something) #dar a alguien con la puerta en las narices #Untitled1070#to slam the door on someone's nose# Mex, ES, S. Cone, Sp # I went to the consulate to ask for the documents, but they slammed the door on me. #Fui al consulado para pedir los documentos, pero me dieron con la puerta en las narices.


to sleep it off #dormir la mona #Untitled1289#to sleep the monkey# Mex, Cuba, G, Col, Peru, S. Cone, Sp; dormir la juma Cuba, ES, CR, Pan, Ven, Peru # Go sleep it off, you are really drunk. #Vete a dormir la mona, que estas muy borracho.

to sleep like a king# dormir a cuerpo de rey #Untitled1283#to sleep like the body of a king# most of L. Am., Sp # In that hotel, you sleep like a king. #En ese hotel, se duerme a cuerpo de rey.

to sleep like a log #dormir como un tronco #Untitled1286#to sleep like a trunk# Mex, S. Cone, Sp; dormir como un liron (to sleep like a dormouse) Mex, DR, S. Cone, Sp # After a shower, I'll sleep like a log.# Despues de una ducha, dormire como un liron.

to sleep on it (wait and think things over) #consultar con la almohada #Untitled924#to consult with the pillow# L. Am., Sp #Before making a decision, I'm going to sleep on it. #Antes de tomar una decision, voy a consultar con la almohada.

sleepless night # la noche toledana #Untitled2636#Toledo night# Sp # I had a sleepless night, I didn't feel well. #Pase una noche toledana; no me sentia bien.

sleepyhead #el dormilon, la dormilona #Untitled1281##L. Am., Sp# It's already ten o'clock in the morning? What a sleepyhead I am! #Son las diez de la maÒana ya? Que dormilon!


to sling the bull (launch into a spiel, start along story)# lanzar un rollo #Untitled1991#to throw a roll# Mex, ES, Col, Peru; echar vaina (to throw husk, sheath) DR, Ven# I saw my friend Elena at the store and she started to sling the bull.# Vi a mi amiga Elena en la tienda y empezo a lanzar el mismo rollo.

to be slow (dim-witted) #ser un poste #Untitled3157#to be a post# Sp # Margarita is a bit slow; however, she covers it up pretty well.# Margarita es un poste; sin embargo, lo disimula bien.

to be slow (dull)# estar espeso(-a) #Untitled1449#to be thick# Sp # I'm very slow today. #Estoy muy espeso hoy.

slowpoke (slow person) #la tortuga #Untitled3912#turtle# Mex, DR, ES, Col # Every time we go out with Beatriz we're late because she's a slowpoke. #Siempre que salimos con Beatriz llegamos tarde porque es una tortuga.


slums (slang) #las poblaciones callampas #Untitled3014#mushroom populations# Ch # The slums surrounding the capital have increased in the last few years. #Las poblaciones callampas alrededor de la capital han aumentado en los ultimos aÒos.

slut (vulgar) #la puta #Untitled3228#whore# Cuba, DR, PR, Col; el cuero (skin, leather) Cuba, DR, PR, Col; la furcia Sp #At school Martica has a reputation for being a slut.# En la escuela Martica tiene fama de puta.

smack (blow with the hand) #el manotazo #Untitled2179##L. Am., Sp # My mother smacked me because I spoke back rudely. #Mi madre me dio un manotazo porque le conteste de mala manera.


smarten up. (behave yourself.) #Recogete. #Untitled3369 #Pick yourself up.# Mex, PR, Col; Ubicate. (Find yourself.) Mex, DR, Col, Peru, S. Cone # Smarten up, son, and concentrate on your studies. #Recogete, hijo, y ponte a estudiar

smarts (intelligence) #la chispa#Untitled746#spark# Mex, DR, ES, CR, Col # Julio has the smarts (for business). #Julio tiene chispa (para los negocios),


to smoke like a chimney #fumar como (una) chimenea #Untitled1565##Mex, S. Cone, Sp; fumar como chacuaco (to smoke like a furnace or a cigarette butt) Mex; fumar como murcielago (to smoke like a bat) ES, DR, PR, S. Cone; fumar como un carretero (to smoke like a trucker) Sp # Manuel Antonio smokes like a chimney. #Manuel Antonio fuma como una chimenea.

to smoke pot (marijuana) #motearse#Untitled2403 ## Mex, PR # When I got to their house, everyone was smoking pot. #Cuando llegue a su casa, todos estaban moteandose.

to smooch (to make out) #besuquearse#Untitled336## C. Am., DR, PR, S. Cone, Sp# My boyfriend and I love to smooch. #A mi novio y yo nos encanta besuquearnos.

smooches #los besotes #Untitled333#big sloppy kisses# Mex, C. Am. # I don't like my aunt's smooches.# No me gustan los besotes de mi tia.

smooching (repeated kissing)# el besuqueo #Untitled337##L. Am., Sp # Elisa was smooching with her boyfriend when her father came in. #Elisa estaba a los besuqueos con su novio cuando llego su padre.


to be a snake in the grass# tirar la piedra y esconder la mano#Untitled3832#to throw the stone and hide one's hand# L. Am., Sp # She's a snake in the grass. You can't trust her. #Es una persona de las que tira la piedra y esconde la mano. No to puedes fiar de ella.


to sneak out the back door (get out of a place or business in a disgraceful way) #salir por la ventana #Untitled3502#to take off through the window# Sp # Because you keep acting like that, you will end up sneaking out the back door.# Como sigan comportandose asi, van a salir por la ventana.

to snivel #lloriquear#Untitled4294## L. Am., Sp; moquiar Mex, ES, U, Arg # The girl's sniveling again. #La niÒa ya esta moquiando otra vez.

snob (stuck-up person with a big ego)# el/la esnob#Untitled1443## L. Am., Sp el/la alzado(-a) (raised up) Mex, U, Arg; el/la agrandado(-a) (made larger) ES, U, Arg; el/la acartonado(-a) (cardboard-like) Arg # Esmeralda is a snob; she doesn't like anybody.# Esmeralda es una alzada; no le viene nadie bien.


so there! (in a discussion) #Toma!#Untitled4295## Sp # So there! I told you, your father was right.#Toma! Te lo dije, to padre tenfa razon.

so-and-so (to refer to someone you don't know), John or Jane Doe# el/la fulano(-a), fulano(-a) de tal #Untitled1563##L. Am., Sp; el/la menda Sp # The (unknown) woman beside you is the professor's sister.# La fulana que esta a tu lado es la hermana del profesor.

so-and-so and his brothers (Tom, Dick, and Harry; expression used to name unknown people)# fulano, mengano y zutano #Untitled1564##L. Am., Sp # They invited Pedro to dinner and it turns out he came with so-and-so and his brothers.# Invitaron a Pedro a cenar y resulta que vino con otro fulano, mengano y zutano.

soap opera #la telenovela #Untitled4296#television novel, slang# L. Am.; la teleculebra (tele-snake, slang) Mex, ES, Ven; el culebron (big snake, slang) CR, Ven, Bol, Ch, Arg, Sp# I am completely hooked on the Mexican soap opera at four o'clock in the afternoon. #Estoy totalmente enganchado al culebron mexicano de las cuatro de la tarde.

sob (son of a bitch) #mal nacido(-a) #Untitled2117#badly born, meaning bastard# L. Am., Sp; el/la hijo(-a) de su (somewhat vulgar, euphemism for hijo[-a] de su puta madre) most of L. Am., Sp; cabron, cabrona (big goat, vulgar) Mex, Cuba, PR, C. Am., Col, Bol, Ch, Sp # That guy is an SOB. #Ese tipo es un hijo de puta

solid as a rock (strong) #firme como el roble #Untitled1515#firm as the oak# Mex, S. Cone, Sp # This table is solid as a rock. You can climb on it and it won't break.# Esta mesa es firme como un roble. Puedes subir encima y no se rompe.


sooner or later (slang)# a la corta o a la larga #Untitled965#in the short or the long# L. Am., Sp #Sooner or later they will know the truth.# A la corta o a la larga sabran la verdad.

sopping wet (drenched) #hecho(-a) una sopa #Untitled1813#made a soup# L. Am., Sp# Come inside, dear. You're sopping wet. #Ven adentro, mija. Estas hecha una sopa.

so-so (mediocre) #ni muy muy ni tan tan #Untitled2482#not very very nor so so# Mex, DR, ES, Nic, Col, U, Arg; sin chiste (without joke) Mex, Col, Peru, Bol; ni fu ni fa L. Am., Sp; pasable (passable) Mex, S. Cone # Did you like the Luis Miguel concert? -It was so-so-the same as last year. #Te gusto el concierto de Luis Miguel? -Ni fu ni fa, fue identico of del aÒo pasado.


to be so-so (unappetizing) #no tener chiste #Untitled2602#to not have any joke# Mex, ES, Col, Peru, Bol #That novel is just so-so. # Esa novela no tiene chiste.

soul mate (spouse, sweetheart [male or female]) #la media naranja #Untitled2251#half orange# L. Am., Sp # Where's your soul mate? #Donde esta tu media naranja?

to sound someone or something out #catar el melon #Untitled639A#to inspect the melon# Sp #I hope there will be time to sound things out.# Ojala haya tiempo suficiente para catar el melon.

soup's on! (Dig in! Eat!) #Llegale a la papa! #Untitled2038#Go to the potato!# Mex, Col # Time to eat, guys! Soup's on! #A comer, muchachos! Lleguenle a la papa!


to be spaced out (detached) #estar en otra #Untitled2666#to be on another#Mex, S. Cone # Shall we go out on the town today? -No, thanks, I'm a little spaced out. I have a lot to do. #Salimos de parranda hoy? -No, gracias, estoy en otra. Tengo mucho que hacer.


to speak plainly #hablar en cristiano #Untitled1657#to talk in Christian# L. Am., Sp #Speak plainly, man, so we can understand you. #Habla en cristiano, hombre, para que to entendamos.


to be spellbound #estar embelesado(-a) #Untitled4297#to be enthralled# L. Am., Sp; derretido(-a) (to be all melted) most of L. Am. # Carmen is spellbound with the visit of her grandchildren. #Carmen esta toda derretida con la visita de sus nietos.

to spend a night counting sheeps# pasar la noche contando estrellas (cabritos) #Untitled2785#to spend the night counting stars [little goats] # Mex, ES # I couldn't sleep; I spent the night counting sheeps. #No pude dormir; pose la noche contando estrellas.

to spend a sleepless night (to not sleep a wink) #pasar la noche en vela #Untitled2787#to spend the night on watch# L. Am., Sp; pasar la noche en blanco (claro) (to spend the night blank [clear]) Mex, DR, PR, S. Cone, Sp; pasar una noche toledana (to spend a Toledo night) Sp# We spent a sleepless night taking care of the baby. #Pasamos la noche en vela cuidando al bebe.


spiel (long story)# el rollo #Untitled3428#roll# Mex, C. Am., Col, Ven, Peru, Ch, Sp; la parrafada (paragraph) Sp # I don't open the door to anybody because door-to-door salesmen have such incredible spiels.# Yo no abro la puerta a nadie porque los vendedores a domicilio tienen un rollo barbaro.

to spill the beans (to spit it out) #destaparse #Untitled1234#to uncork oneself# L. Am.; echar de cabeza (to turn upside down) Mex; soltar la lengua (to loosen the tongue) DR, S. Cone # Spill the beans, honey. What happened? #Destapate, cariÒo. Que paso?


to be the spitting image of someone# ser el vivo retrato de alguien #Untitled4075 #to be the living portrait of someone# L. Am., Sp; ser la fiel estampa de alguien (to be the faithful print of someone) L. Am., Sp; ser la viva (fiel) imagen de alguien (to be the live [faithful] image of someone) L. Am., Sp # Enrique is the spitting image of his great-uncle. #Enrique es el vivo retrato de su tio abuelo.


spoiled brat #el junior#Untitled1977# # Mex, Col # The spoiled brat of the house has no scruples.# El junior de la casa no tiene escrupulos.


to spread a rumor# contar un chisme#Untitled4298## L. Am., Sp; pasar la bola (to pass the ball) Cuba, DR, G, ES, CR, U, Arg # Alfredo saw Silvia and Rodolfo hugging and spread the rumor to all their friends. #Alfredo vio a Silvia y Rodolfo abrazados y paso la bola a todos sus amigos.

spy (informer) #el/la oreja #Untitled2664#ear# Mex, ES, Nic# Don't talk. Here comes the spy (tattle-tale).# No hablen. Aqui viene la oreja.


to squeal (inform) #cantar #Untitled580#to sing# L. Am., Sp; soplar (to blow) L. Am., Sp ; chillar Chicano, Mex, G, Col, U # No matter how much they beat him, he didn't squeal.# Por mas que to golpearon no canto.


stag party #la despedida de soltero #Untitled1225#sending off of the single man# L. Am., Sp # The groom's friends will have a stag party for him at the club.# Los amigos del novio le haran una despedida de soltero en el club.

to stake one's life on someone (vouch for someone) #meter las manos al fuego por alguien #Untitled2305#to put one's hands in the fire for someone# L. Am., Sp # Yolanda is a good friend. I stake my life on her.# Yolanda es una buena amiga. Meto las manos al fuego por ella.

to stand out (do something unusual) #destacarse#Untitled4299## L. Am., Sp; lucirse (to shine) Mex, Peru, U #You stood out (outstanding). #Te luciste.


to stand (someone) up (ditch) #dejar plantado(-a) #Untitled1193#to leave [someone] planted# L. Am., Sp ; dar (un) planton (also, plante) (to give [a] planting) L. Am., Sp; dar calabazas (ayotes) (to give pumpkins [squash]) L. Am., Sp; dejar colgado(-a) (to leave hung, suspended) Mex, ES, U, Arg, Sp ; dejar con los churquitos (colochos) hechos (to leave [someone] with their curls done) C. Am., Caribbean; tirar bomba (to throw a bomb) Caribbean #Don't stand me up.# No me dejes plantada.


star-crossed (out of luck, with bad luck)# estrellado(-a) #Untitled1464#seeing stars# Mex, ES, S. Cone # Some people are born with a lucky star and some are born star-crossed (with bad luck).# Unos nacen con estrella y otros estrellados.


starving to death #muerto(-a) de hambre #Untitled2419#dead of hunger# L. Am., Sp # When are we going to eat? I'm starving to death. #Cuando vamos a comer? Estoy muerta de hambre.

to stay out (or up) late at night# trasnochar #Untitled3947#to cross the night# L. Am., Sp # I stayed out late all week, but tonight I'm going to go to sleep early. #Trasnoche toda la semana, pero hoy voy a acostarme temprano.


a steal (cheap)# casi regalado(-a) #Untitled4300##L. Am., Sp; tirado(-a) (thrown away, used with ser or estar) U, Arg, Sp # Buy these pure wool sweaters; they're a steal. #Compra estos sueteres de pura lana; estan tirados.


steamed (mad)# bravo (-a)#Untitled390## L. Am., Sp; cabreado(-a) Mex, CR, Col, Sp; encabronado(-a) Mex, PR, C. Am., many S. Am. countries; enchichado(-a) Mex, Col, U; furico(-a) Mex # Why are you so steamed? # Por que andas tan brava?

to be steamed (to get pissed off) #sulfurarse #Untitled3640 #to get sulfured# L. Am., Sp; llevarse (a alguien) el diablo (to be taken by the devil) Mex, S. Cone; echar chispas (to throw off sparks) Mex, DR, ES, Ch, Sp; echar humo (to throw off steam or smoke) Mex, DR, ES, Sp; echar lumbre (to throw off fire) Mex, ES, Sp; echar rayos (to throw off lightning rays) Mex, ES, Sp# I was steamed when I found out the truth.# Estaba echando chispas cuando supe la verdad,

to steer clear of (avoid or get out of) #zafarse de#Untitled4118 ## L. Am.; darle (un) esquinazo a alguien (to hit someone with a corner) Arg, Sp # Steer clear of Fernando. It's not good for you to get mixed up with that guy.# Zafate de Fernando, que no to conviene ese tipo.

to stick out like a sore thumb (call attention to oneself and look ridiculous) #dar la nota alta #Untitled1106#to give the high note# DR, Nic, Ch; dar la nota (to give the note) Bol, U, Arg, Sp; cantar como una almeja (to sing like a clam) Sp; dar el cante (to give flamenco singing) Sp # She stuck out like a sore thumb with that outlandish dress.# Cantaba como una almeja con ese vestido estrafalario.

stiffs (the dead) #los tiesos #Untitled3812#stiffs# Mex, ES, Col, Ec # Stiffs don't talk. #Los tiesos no hablan.

stingy (tight-fisted) #agarrado(-a) #Untitled55#holding on [to money]# most of L. Am., Sp; codo(-a) (elbow) Chicano, Mex, DR, PR, G, Hand, ES, Nic; pichicato(-a) (from the Italian "pizzicato," pinch) Mex, Nic; duro(-a) (hard) Cuba, ES, Pan, Peru # He refused to take me to dinner because he's very stingy.# No me quiso llevar a cenar porque es bien duro.

to be stingy (miserly, especially with food) #no comer un huevo por no perder la cascara #Untitled2517#to not eat an egg so as not to lose or waste the shell# Mex, ES, Peru, U, Arg ; no comer platano por no tirar la cascara (to not eat a banana so as not to throw out the peel) Mex #Your in-laws are stingy. #Tus suegros no comen platano en su casa, por no tirar la cascara.

stink (problem) #el pedo #Untitled2856#fart, vulgar# Chicano, Mex, G, Hand, ES, Ven # After the game, there was a big stink.# Despues del partido, se armo un gran pedo.


stoned on marijuana #grifo(-a) #Untitled1618##Mex, CR, Ec# Don't pay attention to him. He's stoned (on marijuana).# No le hagas caso. Esta grifo.

to be stood up (stuck somewhere for a while) #estar de planton #Untitled2998#to be planted# Mex, ES, Ch, U, Sp; estar colgado(-a) (to be hung, suspended) Mex, ES, U, Arg, Sp; quedarse con los crespos hechos (to be left with one's curls made) ES, Peru, Bol, Ch; quedar como semaforo (to wind up like a traffic light) Nic #Last night I was stood up.# Last night me quede con los crespos hechos.

stool pigeon # el sapo #Untitled3531#frog, toad; used like soplon# Nic, CR, Col, Ven, Peru, Ec, Ch # He's a stool pigeon. He tells everything. #Es un sapo. Todo lo cuenta.

to stop in one's tracks# pararse en seco #Untitled4301#to stop oneself dry# Mex, ES, Col, Ch, U #When Yoli saw me, she stopped in her tracks.# Cuando Yoli me vio, se paro en seco.

to stop someone cold #parar en seco #Untitled2744#to stop someone dry# Mex, ES, Col, Ch, U# Arturo tried to shout at me, and I stopped him cold. #Arturo intento gritarme, y lo pare en seco.

to stop telling stories (cut the nonsense) #dejarse de cuentos #Untitled1196#to leave off with the stories# L. Am., Sp # Stop telling stories (tall tales).# Dejate de cuentos.

stop the foolishness.# Dejate de chiquilladas. #Untitled1197#Stop the childish behavior.# ES, U, Arg, Sp # Stop the foolishness.# Dejate de chiquilladas.


streak (run, period of time) #la racha #Untitled3609##L. Am., Sp# We've had a bad streak, but I think today we're going to win the game.# Hemos pasado una mala racha, pero creo que hoy vamos a ganar el partido.


to stress someone out #poner a alguien los nervios de punta #Untitled3041#to make someone's nerves stand up# L. Am., Sp # The message stressed me out. #El mensaje me puso los nervios de punta.

to be stressed out (have one's nerves on edge) #tener los nervios de punta #Untitled3750#to have one's nerves standing# L. Am., Sp; estar con el corazon en un puÒo (to be with one's heart in a fist) most of L. Am., Sp # She hasn't had news of her family, and she's all stressed out.# Ella no ha tenido noticias de su familia, y tiene los nervios de punta.


to strike it rich # encontrar una mina (de oro) #Untitled1404#to find a [gold] mine, a way to live or get rich without working much# Mex, ES, Ch, Sp; forrarse (to make a lining for oneself, referring to lined pockets) DR, Nic, Sp# That man struck it rich, and he lives the high life. #Ese hombre encontro una mina de oro y se da la gran vida.

to strike out with the opposite sex (not find anyone to pick up) #no comerse una rosca #Untitled2518#to not eat a doughnut# Sp # I went to the disco but I struck out. #Fui a la discoteca pero no me comi una rosca.

string bean (skinny person)# el palo de escoba #Untitled2705#broomstick# L. Am.; el bacalao (codfish) Florida, PR, Col, U # The professor is so skinny. He's a string bean. #Es tan flaco el profesor. Es un polo de escoba.

to string someone along #dar carrete a alguien #Untitled1080#to give someone a reel, coil# Sp # She strings him along and keeps talking to him, but he says he has to go to work. #Ella le da carrete y le sigue hablando, pero el le dice que tiene que ir a trabajar.

to be strong as an ox# estar hecho(-a) un mulo #Untitled1810#to be made into a mule# Sp # The exercises worked for you; you're strong as an ox. #Los ejercicios to han sentado; estas hecho un mulo.

strong-willed (determined and forceful) #de rompe y rasga #Untitled3430#of break and tear# parts of L. Am., Sp # That woman is really strongwilled. How decisive she is! #Esa mujer es de rompe y rasga. Que decidida!


to strut one's stuff# balconearse #Untitled299#to balcony oneself, used mainly for women# Mex # That chick put on a miniskirt because she loves to strut her stuff.# Esa chica se puso una minifalda porque le gusta balconearse.

stuck #pegado(-a) #Untitled801#glued# L.Am.; clavado(-a) (nailed) Mex, Col, U, Arg# I'm stuck here, cooking. #Estoy clavada aqui, cocinando.


stuck-up (snobbish) #creido(-a) #Untitled1009#believed# L. Am., Sp; fantasioso(-a) L. Am., Sp; esnob L. Am., Sp; fufurufo(-a) most of L. Am. (not Peru, Bol, Ch, U); burguesito(-a) (bourgeois) Mex, G, Col, U, Arg; estirado(-a) (stretched out) ES, Nic, CR, Col, Peru, S. Cone, Sp; sobrado(-a) (more than enough, excessive) Peru, Ch; pituco(-a) S. Cone; engrupido(-a) (grouped up) U, Arg # Your sister is very stuck-up, and she doesn't even speak to me at school. #Tu hemana es muy creida, y ni siquiera me habla en el colegio.

to be stuck-up (feel superior [without reason], pretentious) #creerse #Untitled999#to believe oneself# L. Am., Sp # Amalia is stuck-up and that's why I don't like her.# Amalia se cree mucho y por eso no me cae bien.

stud (hunk) #el castigador #Untitled637#punisher# Chicano, Mex, DR, PR, Col; el ligon Col, Sp # Juan is a stud; he has me going crazy. #Juan es un castigador, me tiene loco.


stupid (dumb, idiot) #zonzo(-a) #Untitled4131 #most of L. Am. (not Ch); torpe Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, C. Am.; cerrado(-a) (closed) Mex, PR, CR, Col; zangano(-a) DR, PR, Col#That girl is very stupid and her friend takes advantage of it. #Esa chica es muy zonza y su amiga toma ventaja.#

to be stupid (no longer be able to learn) #tener ya dura la mollera #Untitled3800#to have the crown of the head already hard# U, Sp # I won't learn English now, I'm stupid (no longer able to learn). #Ya no aprendere ingles; tengo ya dura la mollera.

stupid jerk (incompetent) #el/la imbecil #Untitled4302##L. Am., Sp; el/la cafre Mex, Cuba, PR, Col; el/la boludo(-a) (with heavy balls) S. Cone # He drives the car like a stupid jerk (maniac).# Maneja el coche como imbecil.

stupid to the nth degree (dope of dopes)# tonto(-a) de capirote #Untitled3907#idiot chief# Mex, Peru, Sp # That tenant you have is stupid to the nth degree.# Ese inquilino que tienes es un tonto de capirote.

stupid trick (vulgar) #la pendejada#Untitled2892 ## Mex, C. Am. # Don't (you all) do any more damn stupid tricks.# No hagan mas pendejadas.

stupidity #la estupidez#Untitled4303## L. Am., Sp; la babosada L. Am.; la memez Sp # It's stupidity. Is there anyone so stupid as to believe that? #Es una babosada. Hay alguien tan idiota que vaya a creer eso?

to suck (to be screwed up) #estar fregado(-a) #Untitled1542#to be scrubbed; slightly vulgar# most of L. Am.; estar de la jodida Chicano, Mex, G, Col; estar de la chingada (to be of the chingada, violated woman; vulgar) Mex, G, ES, Col; estar de la fregada Mex; estar cagado(-a) (to be pooped, vulgar) S. Cone, Sp # The situation of the farmers really sucks this year.# La situacion de los agricultores esta muy fregada este aÒo.

to suck up (do anything to please people in authority) #hacerle el barbero #Untitled312#to be the barber to him or her# Mex; chupar media (to suck stocking) Bol, Peru, S. Cone; hacerle la pelota (to play someone the ball) Sp # I passed the chemistry exam by sucking up to the teacher.# Pase el examen de quimica por hacerle el barbero a la maestro.


suckers# los hijos de la guayaba #Untitled1950#euphemism for hijos de la chingada; guayaba is guava# Mex, ES; los hijos de sayula (euphemism for hijos de la chingada) Mex # Those poor suckers don't know anything. #Esos hijos de la guayaba no saben nada.

to suit (agree with) #cuadrar #Untitled1023#to square# L. Am. # The color of this dress doesn't suit me. #No me cuadra el color de este vestido.

sure cure (charm, effective remedy) #la mano de santo #Untitled2175#saint's hand# Sp # My aunt has a sure cure for a stomachache.# Mi tia tiene una mano de santo para curar el mal de estomago.

sure thing. (It's a deal.) #Claro! #Untitled4304#Clearly!# L Am., Sp; Papas! (Potatoes!) Mex, ES, Col # Will you come to the river with us? -Sure thing! #Vienes con nosotros al rio? -Claro!

to surf the Internet #surfear la Red (la Internet)#Untitled3641## parts of L. Am. #We surfed the Net to get the information we needed.# Surfeamos la Red para conseguir la informacion que necesitabamos.


swanky (high-class) #popis #Untitled3094 ##Mex, Col # It's a swanky hotel.# Es un hotel popis.

to swear like a trooper (or a trucker) #hablar como un carretero #Untitled1655#to talk like a trucker# U, Sp; jurar en arameo (to swear in Aramaic, the language of Christ) Sp # Benito swears like a trooper. It's unpleasant to listen to him.# Benito habla como un carretero. Es desagradable escucharlo.

swear word# la groseria #Untitled1622#gross thing# L. Am., Sp; la palabrota (big word) L. Am., Sp; la lisura (smoothness) Peru; el garabato (graffiti) Ch; el taco Sp# Jaimito always says swear words in front of his grandparents to upset them.# Jaimito siempre dice palabrotas en presencia de sus abuelos para disgustarlos.

to sweat bullets #sudar la gota gorda #Untitled3635#to sweat the fat drop# L. Am., Sp # I'm here sweating bullets and she isn't doing anything.# Yo aqui sudando la gota gorda y ella no hace nada.


to sweat the small stuff (worry about something unimportant) #ahogarse en un vaso de agua #Untitled86#to drown in a glass of water# L. Am., Sp # Don't worry. Don't sweat the small stuff# No to preocupes. No to ahogues en un vaso de agua.

to sweep everything away #llevarse todo por delante #Untitled2063#to carry away everything# L. Am., Sp # The water swept everything away. #El agua se llevo todo por delante.

sweetheart (steady boyfriend or girlfriend) #el/la novio(-a)#Untitled4305## L. Am., Sp.; el/la pololo(-a) (bumblebee) Ch # Where is your daughter's sweetheart from? #De donde es el pololo de tu hija?

sweetie #dulzura #Untitled1301#sweetness# L. Am., Sp # Sweetie, each day I love you more.# Dulzura, coda dia te quiero mas.

to be a sweetie (nice, kind person) #ser un caramelo #Untitled610#to be a caramel# Mex, Cuba, G, Col; ser un dulce (un bombon) (to be sweet [a bonbon]) Mex # Hernando's new girlfriend is a real sweetie.# La nueva novia de Hernando es un caramelo.

sweet-talk (chat, often with idea of persuading) #la muela #Untitled2413#molar [tooth]# Cuba, DR, Col # Stop sweet-talking that girl; she has a boyfriend. #Deja de darle muela a esa muchacha, que tiene novio.


to swing both ways (be bisexual) #jugar en los dos bandos #Untitled1969#to play in both bands or groups# Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, Col, U# I heard that Lorenzo swings both ways.# Escuche que Lorenzo juega en los dos bandos.

to swipe (snatch, filch, lift) #agandallar#Untitled54## Mex # He saw the wallet and swiped it.# Vio la cartera y la agandallo.



tacky #ordinario(-a)#Untitled2663 ## L. Am., Sp; balurdo(-a) Ven; berreta U, Arg; basto(-a) Sp # These shoes are very tacky. #Estos zapatos son muy bastos.

tacky action (or vulgar expression) #la leperada #Untitled2012##Mex, C. Am. # That idea is really absurd; it's so tacky.# Esta idea es muy absurda; parece de leperada.


tainted (involved in shady business or trouble) #embarrado(-a) #Untitled1371#mud plaster for walls# Mex, G, ES, CR, U, Arg #That man is really tainted by shady business deals. #Ese seÒor esta bien embarrado en malos negocios.

to take a leak (vulgar) #echar una meadita #Untitled1345#to throw a little pissing# L. Am., Sp # I'm going to go take a leak, and then I'll come back.# Voy a echar una meadita, y ya regreso.

to take a long weekend (by taking a day off before or after a holiday) #hacer puente #Untitled1710#to make bridge# Mex, DR, Sp # We're going to take a long Easter weekend since Tuesday is a holiday and Monday we won't go to work. #Vamos a hacer el puente de pascua, ya que el martes es festivo y el lunes no iremos a trabajar.

to take a look #wach(e)ar #Untitled4092#from English# Chicano, ES # Take a look at that! #Wacha eso!


to take charge of a situation (to call the shots) #ponerse los pantalones #Untitled3090#to put on one's pants# DR, PR, S. Cone #Finally Alcira took charge of the situation and took control of her kids, who wouldn't obey anybody.# Finalmente Alcira se puso los pantalones y controlo a sus hijos, que no obedecian a nadie.


to take it all out #descargar en #Untitled1204#to discharge, unload on# Mex, Cuba, PR, Col # She was furious when she arrived and took it all out on her husband.# Llego furiosa y descargo todo en su esposo.

to take it easy (keep cool or mellow about a problem) #llevarla suave#Untitled2054## ES, CR, Col, U (RVAR Cuba, Pan: cogerlo suave); pasarlo piola (to pass it string, from "piola" in Italian, string or cord) S. Cone # We went to the lake on the weekend and we took it easy. #Fuimos al lago el fin de semana y la pasamos piola.


take it or leave it. (phrase urging someone to accept what little they have obtained) #Menos da una piedra. #Untitled2271#A stone gives less.# Sp# You'll only give me 150 euros for my personal expenses? -Exactly. Take it or leave it. #Me daras solo 150 euros para mis gastos personales? -Exactamente. Menos da una piedra.

to take off (get out) #largarse #Untitled1996##most of L. Am., Sp; espantar la mula (to scare off the mule) Mex, Cuba, DR, PR, CR; borrarse, borrarse del mapa (to wipe oneself off the map) Mex, ES, S. Cone, Sp; despintarse (to unpaint oneself) Mex, PR; agarrar su patin (to grab his [her] skate) Mex, Cuba; pintarse (to paint yourself out) Mex, ES; pintar su calaverita (to paint one's little skull) Mex; abrirse (to open) CR, S. Cone, Sp; pirarse Cuba, Arg, Sp; liar el petate (to roll up the petate, sleeping mat or green bag used for military service) Sp# I don't want to take off yet. #No quiero espantar la mula todavia.

to take off (improve, make progress) #levantarle (el) vuelo #Untitled2016##Mex, ES, S. Cone, Sp; alzar vuelo (to take flight) Mex, DR, PR ES; tomar vuelo (to take flight) Mex, DR, U, Arg # The business is taking off.# El negocio esta levantando vuelo.


to take on all comers (win at everything) #llevarse todo por delante #Untitled2063#to carry away everything in front of you# S. Cone, Sp# Rodrigo Garcia took on all comers, and his team won the championship.# Rodrigo Garcia se llevo todo por delante, y su equipo gano el campeonato.

to take one's medicine # aguantar el chaparron #Untitled76#to put up with the rain shower# S. Cone, Sp# They took their medicine from their boss in a very professional manner. #Aguantaron el chaparron que les cayo de su jefe de forma muy profesional.


to take someone for a fool (to deceive or take advantage of someone) #verle la cara a alguien (implying verle la cara de tonto) #Untitled4054#to see someone's face# Mex, ES, Nic, S. Cone #The clerk took me for a fool and tried to sell me those cheap shoes for sixty dollars.# El dependiente me vio la cara y trato de venderme esos zapatos baratos por sesenta dolares.


to take something hard (give things too much importance)# tomarse las cosas a la tremenda #Untitled3902#to take things to the tremendous# U, Arg, Sp # Failing a test is not so serious; don't take it so hard. #Suspender un examen no es tan grave; no te lo tomes a la tremenda.

to take something upon oneself #tomar sobre si una cosa #Untitled4306##Sp # Your brother took upon himself the administration of the entire project.# Tu hermano tomo sobre si la direccion de todo el proyecto.

to take something with a grain of salt# tomar algo con un grano de sal#Untitled1614## Mex, DR, PR, CR, Ch, Sp # Everything that Tomas says has to be taken with a grain of salt because he's such a gossip.# Todo lo que dice Tomas hay que tomarlo con un grano de sal porque es un chismoso.

to take the ball and chain (get married)# echarse la soga al cuello #Untitled1356#to put the rope around one's neck# Mex, DR, PR, G, CR, Col, Ch, Sp; ahorcarse (to hang oneself, like echarse la soga al cuello) Mex, CR, U# Adela and Beto decided to take the ball and chain next summer. #Adela y Beto decidieron ahorcarse el proximo verano.


take the plunge. #Al agua, patos. #Untitled71#To the water, ducks.# Mex, DR, ES, S. Cone, Sp #Let's not lose any more time. (Time's a-wastin'!) Take the plunge! #No perdamos mas tiempo. Al agua, patos!


to take your breath away (be amazing) #estar de quitar el hipo #Untitled3328#to be such as to take away hiccups# Mex, Sp # She's so pretty she takes your breath away.# Es tan bonita que quita el hipo.


to talk a blue streak# hablar hasta por los codos #Untitled1659#to talk even through one's elbows# L. Am., Sp # The neighbor came to tell us what happened. She talked a blue streak.# La vecina vino a contarnos todo lo que paso. Hablaba hasta por los codos.

to talk a good game (promise something and not fulfill it) #cacarear y no poner huevo #Untitled470#to cackle and not lay an egg# Mex, ES, Sp# That politician talks a good game but doesn't deliver. #Ese diputado cacarea y no pone huevo.


to tattle (inform, snitch on)# cantar #Untitled580#to sing# L. Am., Sp; soplar (to blow) L. Am., Sp; sapear CR, Col, Ven # Juan tattled to the police, and now his pals are in jail.# Juan soplo a la policia, y ahora sus compaÒeros estan en la carcel.

tattle-tale #el soplon, la soplona#Untitled4161## L. Am., Sp # He's a tattle-tale. He tells everything. #Es un saplon. Todo lo cuenta.


tease (someone who makes fun of or deceives others) #el payaso#Untitled4307## L. Am., Sp; el/la vacilador(-a) Mex, Cuba, G, ES, Col # Don't believe him. What a tease! #No le creas. Que vacilador!

to tease (to make fun of) #tomarle el pelo a alguien #Untitled3888 #to pull someone's hair# L.Am., Sp; burlarse de (to make fun of) L. Am., Sp; vacilar (to fool around) Mex, ES; cargar (to load) Arg, U #You must be teasing! #Me estas cargando!

teen years (puberty, adolescence) #la edad del pavo #Untitled1359#turkey age# S. Cone, Sp #Don't pay much attention to his behavior. He's in those teen years (adolescence). #No le hagas mucho caso a su comportamiento. Esta en la edad del pavo.

teenie weenie (very small) #chiquitito(-a)#Untitled740## L. Am., Sp; chiquitico(-a) CR, Col, Ven# Sofia has teenie weenie hands and feet.# Sofia tiene manos y pies chiquiticos.

to tell it all#soltar el rollo #Untitled3605#to let loose the roll# L. Am., Sp # Tell all, Ana. What happened? #Suelta el rollo, Ana. Que paso?


to tell someone to go to hell #mandar a alguien al carajo, a la mierda #Untitled2159#to send someone to the male organ, to shit; vulgar# L. Am., Sp # We were celebrating Alcira's birthday, and her dad told us to go to hell because the music was too loud.# Estabamos celebrando el cumpleaÒos de Alcira, y su padre nos mando al carajo porque la musica estaba muy alto.

to be a tempest in a teapot# ser mas el ruido que las nueces #Untitled2412#to be more the noise than the nuts# L. Am., Sp # I'm not worried about this fight between Marta and Rodrigo. It's a tempest in a teapot. #No me preocupa la pelea entre Marta y Rodrigo. Es mas el ruido que las nueces.

text message# el mensaje de texto#Untitled2275 ## L. Am.; el s.m.s. Sp # They sent me a text message.# Me mandaron un mensaje de texto.

thanks a bunch.# Chasgracias. #Untitled684#short for Muchas gracias.# L. Am., Sp #Thanks a bunch, brother.# Chasgracias, hermano.

that darn guy (girl, man, woman, etc.) #el/la muy condenado(-a) #Untitled2433#the very condemned# Florida, Mex, DR, G, CR, Col, Ch, U # That darn chick won a trip to Hawaii as a prize.# La muy condenada gano un viaje a Hawai como premio.

that goes without saying. #No tiene(s) que jurarlo. #Untitled2620#You don't have to swear it.# Mex, Col # Of course. That goes without saying. I believe you.# Por supuesto que si. No tienes que jurarlo. Ya lo creo.


that's all we needed! #Lo que faltaba para el duro! #Untitled1477#What was missing [to make] a fivecent coin# Sp # Your pregnancy ... that's all we needed (the last straw) at this moment.# Tu embarazo es lo que faltaba para el duro en este momento.

that's another (or different) kettle of fish. (Not the same thing.) #Eso es harina de otro costal. #Untitled1761#That's flour from another sack.# L. Am., Sp; Otra cosa, mariposa. (Another thing, butterfly.) Mex, DR, ES, Col, Sp; Ese es otro rollo. (That's another roll.) Mex; Otra cosa es con guitarra. (It's something else with a guitar.) S. Cone; No es lo mismo Chana que Juana. (Chana is not the same as Juana.) Mex, ES, Nic # My mother was very affectionate. My father ... that was another kettle of fish.# Mi madre era muy cariÒosa. Mi padre era harina de otro costal.

that's enough. #Basta ya! #Untitled4308##L. Am., Sp; Y en paz. (And in peace.; phrase said to end a matter) Mex, ES, Sp; Tengamos la fiesta en paz. (Let's have the party in peace.) DR, ES, Sp # I'll take my things and you take yours. That's enough! #Yo recojo mis cosas y tu las tuyas. Y en paz!


that's it! Right!# Asi es. #Untitled4309#That's how it is.# L. Am., Sp; Andale! (Andate!) Chicano, Mex, Col# That's it. That's how you play the marimba.# Andale, pues. Asi se toca la marimba.

that's the point! #Alli esta el detalle! #Untitled113#There's the detail! (a saying popularized by the actor Cantinflas) #Mex, DR, S. Cone # I don't know why you're mad. -That's the point: you don't understand my problems. #No se porque estas enojada. -Ahi esta el detalle: no entiendes mis problemas.

there's always a hitch (problem).# Nunca falta un pelo en la sopa. #Untitled2646#There's always a hair in the soup.# L. Am. # You've quit your job again? There's always a hitch. #otra vez renunciaste a to empleo? Nunca falta un pelo en la soya.

there's no free lunch. No bees, no honey#. El que quiere celeste que le cueste. #Untitled1365#Whoever wants baby blue, it will cost him.# Mex, ES, Nic, S. Cone # Why do you work so much? - Because there's no free lunch. #Por que trabajas tanto? -Porque el que quiere celeste que le cueste.

there's no need to dwell on the matter. (It's just as it looks, obvious.) #No hay que darle vueltas. #Untitled2551#There's no need to turn it around.# Mex, DR, ES, S. Cone, Sp #Let's finish this conversation ... there's no need to dwell on the matter.# Terminemos esta platica... no hay que darle vueltas al asunto.

there's no other way. (Nothing else can be done about it.) #No hay alternativa. #Untitled2598##L. Am., Sp; Ni mocho. Mex # Then I have to leave. There's no other way. #Entonces, tengo que irme. Ni mocho.

there's no rush. #No hay prisa. #Untitled4310##L. Am., Sp; Mas dias hay que longanizas. (There are more days than pork sausages.) Sp # What's the hurry? There's no rush. #Cual es la prisa? Mas dias hay que longanizas.

there's no turning back. There's no backing out. #No hay vuelta de hoja. #Untitled2553#There's no turning of the page.# Mex, ES, Nic, U, Arg, Sp # Let's not talk any more about it, there's no turning back.# Ya no hablemos, no hay vuelta de hoja.

there's something here for everyone. #Hay de todo como en botica. #Untitled4312#There's everything like in a pharmacy.# Mex, DR # What is there in that store? -There's something for everyone. #Que hay en esta tienda? -Hay de todo coma en botica.

they don't get along. #No se entienden ni se enteran. #Untitled4313#They don't understand each other or find out anything.# Col, Sp # They are sisters but they don't get along.# Son hermanas pero no se entienden ni se enteran.



things could be worse. #Peor es chile y agua lejos. #Untitled2899#Worse is chili and water far away.# Mex; No llueve pero gotea. (It's not raining but it's dripping.) Ch # Well, although the webcam isn't working at least we have a connection to the Net. Things could be worse. #Pues aunque la webcam no funciona por lo menos tenemos conexion a la Red. Peor es chile y agua lejos.


to think one is hot shit #creerse la gran caca #Untitled1005#to think one is the great poop, vulgar# Chicano, Mex, G, Col # That foreigner thinks he's hot shit and expects us to admire him.# Ese extranjero se cree la gran caca y espera que lo admiremos.

to think one is hot stuff# creerse la divina pomada #Untitled1004#to think one is the divine cream# L. Am.; creerse la divina garza (to think one is the divine heron) most of L. Am.; creerse el (la) muy muy (to think one is the very very) Mex, C. Am., Col; creerse la ultima Coca-Cola en el desierto (to think one is the last Coca-Cola in the desert) Mex, DR, PR, ES, Nic, Pan, Col; creerse la gran cosa (also, cosota) (to think one is the big thing) Mex, DR, G, U, Arg, Sp; creerse la ultima chupada del mango (to think one is the last suck on the mango) Mex # We spoke with Alicia at the art exhibit. She thinks she's hot stuff. #Hablamos con Alicia en la exposicion de arte. Se cree la muy muy.

to think that money grows on trees #creer que el dinero se encuentra debajo de las piedras #Untitled998#to believe that money is found underneath rocks# U, Sp # Isabel's family always asks her for lots of money. They think money grows on trees here in North America.# La familia de Isabel siempre le pide mucho dinero. Ellos creen que el dinero se encuentra debajo de las piedras aqui en Norteamerica.

this is the last straw! #Esto es el colmo! #Untitled1458#This is the limit, culmination!# L. Am., Sp; Es la ultima gota. (It's the last drop.) Sp #You haven't washed the clothes or the dishes for a week. This is the last straw! #No haz lavado la ropa ni los platos por una semana. Esto es el colmo!


this livens (perks) things up. #Esto resucita a un muerto. #Untitled1459#This brings the dead back to life.# U, Arg, Sp # This cheerful music livens a person (things) up.# Esta musica tan alegre resucita a un muerto.

this was the last straw. #Hasta aqui llego mi (el) amor (cariÒo). #Untitled4314#My love lasted this far, up to here.#Florida, Mex, DR, G, Col, U, Arg# This was the last straw; I'm not going to tolerate any more mistakes.# Hasta aqui llego mi cariÒo; no voy a tolerar mas errores.


to throw in the towel (to give up)# tirar la toalla#Untitled3833 ## L. Am., Sp; colgar la toalla (to hang up the towel) Mex, U, Arg; tirar la esponja (to throw the sponge) S. Cone # I'm going to have to throw in the towel. I give up. #Voy a tener que tirar la toalla. Me doy por vencido.

to throw off # sacar de onda #Untitled3464#to take from the sound wave# L. Am # I'm sorry. It's just that you threw me off. #Lo siento. Es que me sacaste de onda.

to throw oneself (into something) #aventarse #Untitled261#to throw oneself# Mex, DR, ES, Nic, Peru # When the party began, she threw herself onto the dance floor.# Cuando empezo la fiesta, se avento a bailar.

to throw one's weight around #llevar bien puestos los pantalones #Untitled2045#to wear the pants well placed# Mex, DR, PR, ES, Sp #Gerardo is throwing his weight around and managed to organize the family budget.# Gerardo lleva bien puestos los pantalones y logro organizar el presupuesto familiar


to tick off (make angry) #encabronar #Untitled1390##Mex, PR, C. Am., many S. Am. countries #Don't tick me off. #No me encabronees.

ticked off (to be pissed off) #encabronado(-a) #Untitled1389##Mex, PR, C. Am., many S. Am. countries; cabreado(-a) Mex, CR, Col, Sp # I can't talk now. I'm all ticked off about the situation, and I need to think. #No puedo hablar ahora. Estoy encabronado con la situacion, y necesito pensar


to be tied up# estar ocupado(-a) #Untitled4315#to be occupied, busy# L. Am., Sp; estar liado(-a) (to be linked) Sp # Were tied up this week. #Estamos muy liados esta semana.


tight-assed (proud) #apretada #Untitled187#tight# Mex, ES, Col # Silvia always plays hard to get, she's very tight-assed (not vulgar in Spanish).# Silvia siempre se hace del rogar, es bien apretada.

to tighten one's belt (economically)# apretarse el cinturon #Untitled188 ##Mex, DR, PR, ES, S. Cone, Sp# We had to tighten our belts when my husband lost his job. #Tuvimos que apretarnos el cinturon cuando mi marido perdio su trabajo.


tightly (strong) #a cal y canto #Untitled540#at lime and stone, stone masonry# Mex, Sp # The store was closed tightly.# La tienda estaba cerrada a cal y canto.

tightwad (stingy person)# el/la tacaÒo(-a) #Untitled4316##L. Am., Sp; el/la agarrado (-a) (grabbed) most of L. Am., Sp; el/la maceta (flower pot) PR; el amarrete (one who ties things up) Bol, S. Cone # Raul is a tightwad. He never even treats his girlfriend; they always have to go dutch.# Raul es un maceta. No invita ni a su novia; siempre hay que hacer serrucho.

time to eat. (Let's eat.)#a comer se ha dicho. #Untitled846#to eat it has been said.# L. Am., Sp #The food is ready. Time to eat. #La comida esta lista. A comer se ha dicho.


tired as hell # hecho (-a) (una) mierda #Untitled1799#made into shit, vulgar# Mex, DR, PR, U, Arg, Sp # I'm wiped out, tired as hell.# Estoy rendido, hecho mierda.

tiresome #pesado(-a) #Untitled2142#heavy# L. Am., Sp; mamon, mamona (sucker, like a suckling baby, very annoying or ridiculous) Chicano, Mex, ES, Col; sangron, sangrona Mex, Cuba, G, ES, CR, Col # Why do you put up with that extremely tiresome woman?#Por que toleras a esa mamona?

tits (boobs) #las tetas #Untitled3807 #(vulgar)# L. Am., Sp# She was walking down the beach with her tits in the air.# Andaba en la playa con las tetas al aire.



tomboy #la marimacha#Untitled4317## Mex, DR, ES, Col, Sp la marimacho PR, G, Ch # That girl is a tomboy. All she wants to do is play baseball.# Esa niÒa es marimacha. Lo unico que quiere hacer es jugar al beisbol.

tons (a lot [of]) #el monton #Untitled2384#heap (also, montones)# L. Am., Sp; la barbaridad (barbarity) L. Am., Sp; el chingo (vulgar) Mex, C. Am.; el chorro (stream) Mex, ES; el fracatan DR, PR; mazo Sp ; el mogollon Sp# We made tons of food for the party. #Hicimos un monton de comida para la fiesta.


to be too much (extreme, either the best or the worst) #ser la monda#Untitled2379 ## Sp; ser la repanocha Sp; ser la pera (to be the pear) Sp; ser una pasada (to be a past) Sp; no tener madre (to have no mother) Mex, ES # These tourists are too much. #Estos turistas son la monda.

to be too much for someone (excessive for one's size or merit) #venirle grande #Untitled4040#to come to him or her very big# Mex, Sp # With the little bit of experience Dolores has in business, that job is too much for her.# Con la poca experiencia que Dolores tiene en negocios, ese trabajo le viene grande.

to toot one's own horn (brag) #echarse flores #Untitled1355#to throw flowers at oneself# L. Am., Sp; apantallar Mex, DR, G, ES, Col; cacarear (to cackle like a hen) Arg; tirarse el pegote (to throw oneself the sticky mess or awful thing) Sp; tirarse el rollo (to throw the roll at oneself) Sp# Tomas sells himself very well, he's always tooting his own horn.# Tomas se vende muy bien; siempre esta echandose flores.

toothpick (skinny leg) #la canilla #Untitled576#long bone of leg or arm# Cuba, DR, G, Nic, CR, Col, Ch # She goes around in miniskirts showing off those toothpicks as if she had legs. #Ella anda en minifaldas exhibiendo las canillas como si tuviera piernas.

tootsies (feet)# las patas #Untitled2824#paws# L. Am., Sp; las patrullas (patrols [girl chasers]) Mex; los pinceles (paintbrushes [they paint you out of the room]) Mex # We walked all day in the mountains, and my tootsies hurt.# Caminamos todo el dia en las montaÒas, y a mi me duelen las patas.

top banana (big shot) #el mero mero (la mera mera)#Untitled2285 ## Chicano, Mex, G, ES; el mero jodon (no feminine form is normally used; slightly vulgar) Chicano, Mex, ES # Here I'm the top banana. #Aqui soy yo el mero mero.


to top it all off# para colmo; para colmo de desgracias (de males) #Untitled2730#for the culmination of misfortunes# L. Am., Sp # The business didn't work out and, to top it all off, my partner left me with all the debts. #El negocio no salio y, para colmo, mi socio me dejo con todas las deudas.


topsy-turvy (disorganized) #patas pa'arriba, patas arriba #Untitled2825#paws up in the air#DR, PR, ES, Nic, S. Cone, Sp # The earthquake turned the world topsy-turvy. #El terremoto puso el mundo patas arriba.

to touch (knock on) wood #tocar madera #Untitled3851#used as in English, so that something that was said shouldn't happen# L. Am., Sp # Are you sick? -No, let me touch wood. #Estas enferma? -No, dejame tocar madera.

touched in the head (nuts) #tocado(-a) de la cabeza #Untitled3845 ##Mex, G, ES, Col, U, Arg, Sp # Anselmo is touched in the head. He says he's going to paint his whole house black. #Anselmo esta tocado de la cabeza. Dice que va a pintar toda su casa de negro.


traffic jam #el atasco#Untitled4318## L. Am., Sp; el embotellamiento (bottling up) L. Am., Sp; la galleta (cookie, slang) Arg # On 9th of July Avenue (a street named for an important date) there are usually traffic jams.# En la Avenida 9 de julio se forman galletas muy a menudo.

tramp (slut)# golf o(-a) #Untitled1601##Mex, ES, Sp# She goes out every night with a different guy. She's a bit of a tramp. #Sale todas las noches con un chico distinto. Es bastante golfa.

trap (mouth) #el buzon #Untitled451#mailbox# Mex, Cuba # Shut your trap. #Cierra el buzon.


to travel by word of mouth (be common knowledge) #andar de boca en boca #Untitled153#to go from mouth to mouth# L. Am., Sp # We heard the commentaries that travel by word of mouth about the election fraud.# Escuchamos los comentarios que andan de boca en boca sobre el fraude en las elecciones.

to treat like a king (queen) (pamper) #llevar en palmas (palmitas) #Untitled2047#to carry with palm leaves# Sp # His parents treat him like a king; he's never going to grow up. #Sus padres lo llevan en Palmas; nunca sera una persona adulta.

to treat like dirt #ningunear#Untitled2497## Mex, ES, Nic# They accused him of treating them like dirt (like nobodies). #Lo acusaron de ningunearlos.

to treat someone like a fifth (or third) wheel (make out in front of someone)# poner gorro a alguien #Untitled3056#to put the cap on someone, referring to lovers# Mex, DR # I don't like to go out with Rosa and Pepe because they treat me like a fifth wheel. They're always smooching.# No me gusta salir con Rosa y Pepe porque me ponen gorro. Siempre andan besuqueandose.

to treat (pay the check, tab) #rajarse #Untitled3342#to split# Hand, CR, Pan # We went out to dinner and the boss treated us.# Fuimos a cenar y el jefe se rajo.

trick # la vacilada#Untitled3992 ## Mex, Col, Sp; la transa Mex, ES, Col # It's another government trick. #Es otra vacilada del gobierno.


troublemaker #el/la buscapleitos #Untitled442##L. Am., Sp; el/la alborotado(-a) (made upset) Mex, DR, ES, Arg; el/la broncudo(-a) Mex, ES; el buscon, la buscona (searcher) Mex, DR, PR; el/la bochinchero(-a) (argumentative) DR, PR, ES, Nic, Ven, Bol, Ch; el camorrero S. Cone; el/la macarra Sp # Miguel is a troublemaker, he always bothers his co-workers. #Miguel es un alborotado; siempre molesta a sus compaÒeros en el trabajo


trying to keep up appearances #tapando el sol con un dedo #Untitled3654#covering the sun with a finger# Mex, ES, Nic, Pan, Ven, Col, Peru, Ch# They should talk about the problem to their parents; they can't keep trying to keep up appearances.# Deben plantearle el problema a sus padres; no pueden seguir tapando el sol con un dedo.


to tune out #tener la mente en blanco #Untitled3738 #to have the mind blank# Mex, DR, G, Col, U, Arg (RVAR ES, Ch, Sp: estar con la mente en blanco); desconectar (to disconnect) Mex, Cuba, DR, Col, Sp # The professor's questions were easy, but I tuned out and couldn't answer. #Las preguntas del profesor eran faciles, pero yo tenia la mente en blanco y no pude contestar.


to turn on (be turned on, often has sexual overtones) #calentar(se) #Untitled546##L. Am., Sp; prender Mex; hacer tilin (to make a ringing sound, as of a bell, functions like gustar) Ch, Sp #That woman really turns me on. #Esa mujer me calienta mucho.

to turn out badly #salir al reves #Untitled4320#to turn out backwards# C. Am., S. Cone, Sp; cuatrapear Mex# Despite having planned every detail of the interview, everything turned out badly.# A pesar de haber planeado cada detalle de la entrevista, todo me salio al reves.

to turn red as a beet (blush) #ponerse como un tomate #Untitled3081#to become like a tomato# Mex, DR, PR, S. Cone, Sp # When Graciela had to talk in front of so many people, she turned red as a beet.# Cuando Graciela tuvo que hablar delante de tantas personas, se puso como un tomate.

to turn something upside down# poner algo patas pa'rriba #Untitled2825#to put something paws up in the air# DR, PR, ES, Nic, S. Cone, Sp # The hurricane turned everything upside down.# El huracan puso todo patas pa'rriba.

to turn the tables# dar la vuelta a la tortilla #Untitled1109#to turn over the omelette# Ch, Sp # Rosario has turned the tables and now she's the one who gives the orders in that house.# Rosario ha dodo la vuelta a la tortilla y ahora es ella la que manda en esa casa.


to be a turncoat #cambiar de casaca #Untitled557#to change jackets; i.e., leave a group, political party, etc., and go to a different one# parts of L. Am., Sp # That politician is a turncoat. #Ese politico ha cambiado de casaca.

to be a turnoff (be disgusting) #ser un asco #Untitled235##Mex, U, Arg, Sp # This movie is a turnoff. #Esta pelicula es un asco.

tv# la tele #Untitled3672#short for television# L. Am., Sp #My husband turns on the TV and starts changing the channels.# Mi esposo prende la tele y empieza a hacer zapping.

the twelfth of never #cuando la rana eche pelos #Untitled1027#when the frog sprouts hair# L. Am.; el dia 30 de febrero (the 30th of February) Mex, ES; el dia del pago de los bomberos (day when the firemen get paid) Ch # Is Enrique going to call you? -Yes, on the twelfth of never. #Enrique te va a llamar? -Si, cuando la rana eche pelos.


twiddling one's thumbs (idle, doing nothing) #con los brazos cruzados (also, de brazos cruzados) #Untitled393#with arms crossed# L. Am., Sp #Instead of helping me, Pablo's there twiddling his thumbs.# En vez de ayudarme, Pablo se queda alli can los brazos cruzados.


to be two-faced (act with duplicity)# jugar con dos barajas #Untitled1967#to play with two decks# most of L. Am., Sp; tener dos caras Mex, ES, U, Arg, Sp; comer a dos carrillos (to eat with two cheeks) U, Sp # He doesn't have any scruples; he's two-faced. #No tiene escrupulos; esta jugando con dos barajas.


ugly as hell (vulgar) #mas feo(-a) que carracuca #Untitled2209#uglier than carracuca# Sp # I'm ugly as hell, aren't I? -Don't say that, honey! #Soy mas feo que carracuca, verdad? -No digas eso, mi amor!

to be ugly as sin #ser un(-a) espantapajaros #Untitled1445#to be a scarecrow# L. Am., Sp; ser un cardo borriquero (to be a cotton thistle) Sp # He's ugly as sin, but he thinks he's really good-looking. #Es un espantapajaros pero se cree buen mozo.


under careful watch #fichado(-a) #Untitled1500##L. Am., Sp # Keep him under careful watch. I don't want him to go out. #Me lo traiga bien fichado. No quiero que salga.

under the table (on the sly) #por debajo de la mesa #Untitled3103#under the table#most of L. Am.; por debajo de cuerda (bajo cuerda) (under cord) Mex, S. Cone, Sp; por debajo del agua (underwater) Mex# Josefa doesn't have a visa; she is working under the table. #Josefa no tiene visa; esta trabajando por debajo de cuerda.

to be under the weather (feeling bad, physically or mentally) #(estar) arrastrando la cobija #Untitled215#[to be] dragging the blanket# Mex, ES, Col; (estar) como la mona (to be like the she-monkey) U, Ch # Why are you so quiet? -I'm under the weather. #Por que estas tan callado? -Estoy como la mona.

to be under way (said of a project)# estar en transito #Untitled3942#to be in transit# Mex, Col, Ch # The report is under way. #El informe esta en transito.


to be up to date on #estar al corriente de #Untitled963#to be at the running total of# L. Am., Sp; estar al tanto de L. Am., Sp; estar actualizado L. Am., Sp # Do you need more information about the proposal? -No, thank you, I'm up to date.# Necesitas mas informacion sobre la propuesta? -No, gracias, estoy al corriente.


to be up to one's ears (in something) # estar metido(-a) hasta los codos en algo#Untitled2327## Mex # I'm up to my ears with this project. #Estoy metida hasta los codos en este proyecto.


the upper crust (highest social class) #la flor y nata #Untitled1525#flower and whipped cream# L. Am., Sp; la crema y nata (cream and whipped cream) L. Am., Sp # The upper crust was at that reception.# En esa recepcion estaba la flor y nata de la sociedad.

uproar (mess)# el relajo #Untitled3386 ##Mex, DR, PR, G, ES, Nic, Col, U, Sp# What an uproar, kids! Calm down because you are going to bother the neighbors. #Que relajo, muchachos! Calmense, porque van a molestar a los vecinos.

ups and downs #altibajos#Untitled4321## L. Am., Sp; sus mas y sus menos Mex, Sp # The director had his ups and downs with that actress, but it's an excellent film.# El director tuvo sus mas y sus menos con esa actriz, pero es una pelicula excelente.

upset (annoyed) #picado(-a) #Untitled2939#piqued, stung# Mex, G, CR, Col, Yen, Bol, Ch, Sp # The dog won't obey you and now you're upset. #El perro no te obedece y ya estas picado.

to upset someone (to give someone a hard time) #sacar a alguien de sus casillas (de quicio) #Untitled3458#to take someone out of their pigeon holes [out of doorjamb]# L. Am., Sp; picar a alguien (to bite, sting someone) Mex, DR, PR, G, Peru, Sp # What's upsetting you? #Que te pica?



to be useless (inept) #no servir para nada #Untitled4322#to not serve for anything# L. Am., Sp; no tener chiste (to not have any joke) Mex, ES, Col, Ec, Peru; no servir ni a Dios ni al diablo (to serve neither God nor the devil) Mex, Ch # These new regulations are useless. #Estos nuevos reglamentos no sirven ni a Dios ni al diablo.


to vent (problems, etc.) #desahogarse #Untitled4323#to undrown oneself# L. Am., Sp # I needed to vent, so I took a walk. #Necesitaba desahogarme, asi que sali a caminar.

very #re-que-te #Untitled3397 #intensifiers used before adjectives, adverbs, and even verbs# L. Am., Sp #I love you all very much. Actually, very very very much! #Los reamo. De hecho, los re-queteamo!



to wait it out (get through something difficult but necessary) #aguantar el chaparron #Untitled76#to put up with the rain shower# S. Cone, Sp; aguantar el nublado (el nubarron) (to put up with the cloudiness) Sp # Beatriz waited out her parents' anger patiently because she knew they were right. #Beatriz aguanto el nublado de sus padres porque sabia que tenian razon.

the walls have ears#Hay moros en la costa. #Untitled1794#There are Moors on the coast, phrase warning that someone else may be listening.# L. Am., Sp # We can't talk right now, the walls have ears. #No podemos hablar ahora; hay moros en la costa.


to wash one's hands of something or someone (forget about) #borrar algo (a alguien) del mapa #Untitled378#to wipe something [someone] off the map# Mex, DR, ES, S. Cone, Sp # Wash your hands of all that.# Borra eso del mapa.

to wash (someone) out (on an exam, a project, in love, etc.) #tronar #Untitled3963#to thunder# Mex, C. Am. # They washed me out.# Me tronaron.


to be wasted (dead drunk) #estar hasta el copete #Untitled1772#to be up to the forelock, top of hair# Mex, ES, Col, Sp; estar ahogado(-a) (to be drowned) Mex, ES, Col; estar hasta las chanclas (to be up to the sandals) Mex, ES; estar como una cuba (to be like a cask) U, Arg, Sp # I saw your uncle yesterday coming out of the bar and he was wasted. #Vi a tu tio ayer saliendo del bar y estaba hasta las chanclas

to watch out (be warned) #estar con ojo #Untitled2654#to be with eye# Mex, Sp #You have to watch out, Amanda. That person could have bad intentions. #Tienes que estar con ojo, Amanda. Esa persona puede tener malas intenciones.

watch out! #hay moros en la costa. #Untitled1794#there are Moors on the coast# L. Am., Sp; Mucho ojo, que la vista engaÒa. (Much eye; the sight deceives.) Mex, ES, U, Arg, Sp; Aguas! (Waters!) Mex, G, ES, Col; Agua sucia! (Dirty water!) Mex, Col#Watch out! The foreman has arrived. #Aguas! Llego el capataz.


way to go! that's the way to do it! #Asi se hace!#Untitled239## L. Am., Sp # I'll finish my studies (degree) this year. -Congratulations, way to go! #Terminare mi carrera este aÒo. -Te felicito, asi se hace!


to wear and look good in# lucir #Untitled2081#to shine# DR, PR, CR, ES, Nic, Col, Sp# Red pants and a heavy necklace look good on Rosa. She's wearing new shoes (a good dress). #A Rosa le lucen pantalones rojos y un collar grueso. Anda luciendo zapatos nuevos (un buen vestido).


to wear the pants (make one's authority felt) #llevar bien puestos los pantalones #Untitled2045#to wear the pants well placed# Mex, DR, PR, ES, Sp; amarrarse los pantalones (to tie up or tighten one's pants) CR, ES, Ch # In that house, Marcos wears the pants. #En esa casa Marcos lleva bien puestos los pantalones.

the wee hours (an undetermined hour, late at night or in the day) #las tantas #Untitled3652 ##Mex, DR, Sp #Claudio arrived in the wee hours of the morning.# Claudio llego a las tantas de la madrugada.

well built (muscular) #macizo(-a) #Untitled2101 ##L. Am., Sp # Luis Rodrigo is only fifteen years old but he's very well built. #Luis Rodrigo solo tiene quince aÒos pero es bien macizo.


wet blanket (someone who refuses to do things, is always negative) #repelon, repelona#Untitled3394## Mex # Gloria never wants to do anything. What a wet blanket! #Gloria nunca quiere hacer nada. Que repelona!


wetback (illegal) #mojado(-a) #Untitled2369wet; pejorative, meaning wet from crossing the Rio Grande# Chicano, Mex, G, ES, Col#Don Fernando came as a wetback thirty years ago.# Don Fernando se vino mojado hace treinta aÒos.


what a bummer! #El (Mi) gozo en un pozo. #Untitled1612#The [My] enjoyment in a well.# Mex, Sp# I went outside and saw that someone had stolen my motorcycle. What a bummer. #Sali de casa y vi que alguien me habia robado la moto. Mi gozo en un pozo.

what a damn pain! #Que jodienda! #Untitled3254#vulgar, from joder# Cuba, DR, PR, Col, Yen, Para, U, Sp # What a damn pain to have to wash so many plates after dinner.# Que jodienda tener que lavar tantos platos despues de la cena.

what a drag! # Que cruz! #Untitled3244#What a cross!# Mex, DR, PR, Col, U, Sp # What a drag to have a drunk for a husband! #Que cruz tener un marido borracho!

what a gem! (ironic) #Buena alhaja!#Untitled112## L. Am., Sp # Fernando is a total jerk. -Yes, he's a real gem! #Fernando es un cero a la izquierda. -Si, buena alhaja!


what a pain (in the neck)! #Que lata! #Untitled4324##L. Am., Sp; Que joroba! Mex, DR, PR, Col, U; Que vaina! (What a husk, sheath!) DR, most of C. Am., Col, Yen # What a pain to have to work on weekends! #Que lata tener que trabajar los fines de semana!

what a piece of shit! #Que gran cagada! #Untitled3251#What a pile of shit!; usually refers to a lie or betrayal# ES, S. Cone, Sp (RVAR Sp: often used to imply a big mistake).

what a shame! #Que lastima!#Untitled3256## L. Am., Sp; Achara!, Chara! CR # What a shame! I won't be able to see my friend when I go to Boston. #Que lastima! No padre ver a mi amigo cuando vaya a Boston.


what a stroke of luck! #La vida me sonrie! #Untitled4062#Life is smiling on me!# L. Am., Sp # I just found out that they gave me the job. What a stroke of luck! #Acabo de saber que me dieron el puesto. La vida me sonrie!

what a thing to say! (sometimes used to react to a compliment in a modest way) #Que ocurrencia! #Untitled3264#What an occurrence! What a thing to occur to you!# L. Am., Sp # How pretty you look! -What a thing to say! #Que bonita to ves! -Que ocurrencia!

what can you do? #Que remedio? #Untitled3269#What remedy?, phrase of resignation meaning there's no apparent solution# L. Am., Sp #Don't you like the opera? -What can you do? The tickets cost a fortune. #Te gusto la opera? -Que remedio! La entrada valio un dineral.

what do you do for a living? #a que to dedica(a)?#Untitled1177# # L. Am., Sp; en que la giras? (In what do you [tu] spin [it]?) Mex, Col # What do you do for a living, Miguel? -I design kitchens. #En que la giras, Miguel? -Soy diseÒador de cocinas.


what luck! #Que suerte! #Untitled3141##L. Am., Sp; Que leche! (What milk!, a bit vulgar in Sp) Mex, PR, G, Col, Sp; Que dicha! (What bliss!) G, Nic, CR # What luck to see you again after so many years! #Que dicha volverte a ver despues de tantos aÒos!

what nerve (brazenness)! #Que descaro!#Untitled3247## L. Am., Sp # What nerve! How dare you speak with your parents using those words? #Que descaro! Como to atreves a hablar con esas palabras a tus padres?

what nonsense! (Baloney!) #Que tonteria(s)! #Untitled3279 ##L. Am., Sp # What nonsense! I'd never spend money on a fur coat. #Que tonterias dices! jamas gastaria dinero en un abrigo de piel

what the hell is going on? #Que mierda pasa? #Untitled4325#What shit is happening? vulgar# L. Am., Sp; Que vaina (mierda) es esta? (What screw-up [thing, shit] is this?; vulgar) ES, Ven# What the hell is going on? You can't go off without explaining your decision. #Que mierda es esta? No puedes irte sin explicar tu decision.


whatever #Como quiera(s). #Untitled891#Whatever you want.# L. Am., Sp; Lo que sea. (Whatever may be.) L. Am., Sp; No me importa. (Whatever you want.) L. Am., Sp; Que mas da. (What more does it give.) L. Am. (not S. Cone) # What are you doing tonight? -Whatever #Que vas a hacer esta noche? -Lo que sea.

whatever happens, happens # a lo que salga #Untitled3270#with whatever comes up# Mex, ES, DR, PR, U, Arg, Sp # I prefer organized tours but Victor likes adventure, so we're going to Mexico and whatever happens, happens. #Yo prefiero los viajes organizados pero a Victor le encanta la aventura, asi que nos vamos a Mexico a lo que salga.

what's all that about? #Y eso? #Untitled4098#And that?# L. Am., Sp #What's all that about? Where did you come up with such strange ideas, Manuelita? #Y eso? De donde sacaste esas ideas tan extraÒas, Manuelita?

what's bugging you? #Que bicho te ha picado? #Untitled3242#What insect has bitten you?# Mex, DR, G, S. Cone, Sp #Why are you shouting like that? What's bugging you? #Par que gritas de esa manera? Que bicho te ha picado?


what's happening with ... ? # Que me cuentas? #Untitled3262#What do you tell me?# L. Am., Sp # What's happening in your relationship with Alfonso? #Que me cuentas de tu relacion con Alfonso?

what's up? #Que onda(s)? #Untitled3265#What sound wave[s]?# L. Am.; Que jue? Mex, Col; Que bola? Cuba; L'Ta la vaina? (How's the thing?) Ven; Que se teje? (What's being knitted?) Ch; Que notas me cuentas? (What notes are you telling me?) most of L. Am. # Hi, Graciela. What's up? #Hola, Graciela. Que notas me cuentas? (Que onda?)

to wheel and deal (be clever and try hard to get something) #apiolarse#Untitled180## Mex, Arg #Those businesspeople are really wheeling and dealing.# Esos comerciantes se estan apiolando.


when you least expect it# el dia menos pensado #Untitled1242#the least thought-of day# L. Am., Sp# When you least expect it, they call you and invite you out.# El dia menos pensado te llaman y te invitan a salir.

to be a while #ir para rato #Untitled1902#to go for a while# L. Am., Sp # She has been working here for a while. #Ya va para rato que trabaja aqui.

to whine (complain) #chillar #Untitled721##Chicano, Mex, G, ES, Col, U # I went to the tax office and I whined and whined until they gave me back my money.# Fui a la oficina de impuestos y chille y chille hasta que escucharon y me devolvieron mi dinero.


to be a whiz (competent) #ser cachimbon, cachimbona #Untitled477##Mex, G, ES; ser un fregon (una fregona) Mex; ser un crack (to be a crack) Sp #That guy is a whiz at working with wood. #Ese chico es bien cachimbon para trabajar con madera.


to be a whiz at something #pintarse solo(-a) para una cosa #Untitled2974#to paint oneself alone for something# Mex, U, Arg, Sp # My husband is a whiz at playing the piano. #Mi esposo se pinta solo tocando el piano.


who cares?#Que mas da? #Untitled3260#What more does it give?# L. Am., not S. Cone, Sp # Mom, I broke the plate. -Who cares? #Mama, rompi el plato. -Que mas da?


who knows? #Vaya uno a saber. #Untitled4022#Go to know.# L. Am., Sp; A saber. (To be known.) parts of L. Am., Sp; Sepa Chepa. (Chepa probably knows.) Chicano, Nic; Chepa la bola. Mex; Vaya usted (Vete) a saber. (Go to know.) Peru, Bol, Sp # Who knows what you guys are up to? #Vaya uno a saber lo que hacen ustedes.

the whole enchilada (the whole nine yards) #todititito(-a), #Untitled3865 #variant of todo# Mex, ES, Nic # The whole enchilada was wrecked for us. #se nos arruino todititito.

the whole live-long day #todo el santo dia #Untitled3868 #all the holy day# L. Am., Sp # I waited for her call the whole live-long day.# Espere su llamada todo el santo dia.

a whole lot #cantidad #Untitled586#quantity# Mex, ES, Ch, Sp # I've eaten a whole lot.# He comido cantidad.


why are you staring at me? #Tengo monos en la cara? #Untitled3803#Do I have monkeys on my face?# Mex, Ch, U, Sp # Why are you looking at me so long? Why are you staring at me? #Por que me miras tanto? Tengo monos en la cara?

why bother when no one will see the difference? #En la noche todos los gatos son pardos (negros). #Untitled2635#At night all cats are dark-colored# L. Am., Sp# Do you want to go to the movies? -No, I haven't even put on my make-up. -Why bother when no one will see the difference? #Quieres ir al cine? -No, no me he maquillado aun. -Que importa? En la noche todos los gatos son negros.



windbag (nonstop talker) #la tarabilla #Untitled3656 ##Mex, ES, Nic # Let's not invite the neighbor; she's a windbag.# No invitemos a la vecina, que es una tarabilla.

to be a windbag (talk a lot without saying much) #tener mucho rollo #Untitled3774#to have a lot of roll# Mex, Sp # Tomas is a real windbag, he talks a lot but doesn't say anything interesting. #Tomas tiene mucho rollo; habla mucho pero no dice nada interesante.

to window-shop #mirar las vitrinas#Untitled4326## L. Am.; echar un taco de ojo (to throw a taco of the eye, slang) Mex # Let's go window shopping downtown!#Vamos al centro a echar un taco de ojo!


wiped out (exhausted)# rendido(-a) #Untitled3390#rendered# L. Am., Sp; amolado(-a) (ground, sharpened) Mex, C. Am.; hecho(-a) pedazos, (or anicos) (made into pieces) Mex, ES, U, Arg, Sp; quemado(-a) (burned) Mex, DR, G, CR, Col, Sp; molido(-a) (ground down) Mex, PR, ES, Ch, U, Sp; reventado(-a) (burst, blown apart) Mex, Cuba, PR, Col, S. Cone, Sp; hecho(-a) polvo (made into dust) Mex, Cuba, DR, Sp; hecho(-a) un pure (made into a puree) Mex, Sp# I worked seven days straight and I'm wiped out.# Trabaje siete dias seguidos y estoy rendido.

wisecrack (barbed remark) #la puntada #Untitled3207 ##Mex, ES #What a a great wisecrack Mario made at the party.# Que gran puntada la que hizo Mario en la fiesta.

with a lot of effort# a duras penas #Untitled1303#at hard pains# Mex, DR, PR, S. Cone, Sp; a puro pulmon (at pure lung) L. Am., Sp; a trancas y barrancas (at beams and ravines/cliffs, passing over all obstacles) Mex, Sp; a malas penas (at bad pains) Sp# With a lot of effort, the doctors made it to the most remote populations.# A trancas y barrancas, los medicos llegaron a las poblaciones mas remotas.

with a lot of fanfare (news broadcast far and wide) #a bombo y platillo (also, con bombos y platillos) #Untitled372#at drum and saucer# Mex, DR, PR, Sp # The news arrived from Spain to Mexico with a lot of fanfare.# A bombo y platillo las noticias llegaron desde EspaÒa hasta Mexico.


with great pleasure #de mil amores #Untitled2337#of a thousand loves#Mex, DR, ES, S. Cone, Sp #I'll do what you ask with great pleasure.# Hare lo que me pides de mil amores.

with no joking (fooling) around #sin cachondeo(s) #Untitled3574 ##Sp # We talked to our children with no joking around. #Sin cachondeos platicamos con nuestros hijos.

with one foot in the grave (near death)# con un pie en el hoyo #Untitled2957#with one foot in the hole# Mex, DR, PR, Sp; con un pie en el otro mundo (with one foot in the other world) Sp #Poor old Danilo has one foot in the grave. -Well, right, but he's ninety-seven years old. #Pobrecito don Danilo anda con un pie en el hoyo. -Bueno, pero ya tiene noventa y siete aÒos

with one's heart on one's sleeve #con el corazon en la mano #Untitled952#with one's heart in one's hand# L. Am., Sp # With my heart on my sleeve, I told them what I knew of their father. #Con el corazon en la mano, les dije lo que sabia de su padre.

with one's tail between one's legs (humiliated, embarrassed)# con el rabo entre las piernas #Untitled3336 ##DR, PR, S. Cone, Sp # He went to the neighbors' house to complain about the noise, but he came back with his tail between his legs when he saw that his son was there. #Fue a casa de los vecinos para quejarse del ruido, pero regreso con el rabo entre las piernas cuando vio que su hijo estaba alli.

with the stroke of a pen (quickly)# de un plumazo #Untitled3012 ##L. Am., Sp # With the stroke of a pen she gave the orders to the secretaries. #De un plumazo dio las ordenes a las secretaries.

without rhyme or reason# sin ton ni son #Untitled3587#without tone or sound# L. Am., Sp #That novel is absurd. Without rhyme or reason. #Esa novela es absurda. Sin ton ni son.


to wolf down (gobble up) #devorar #Untitled4327#to devour# L. Am., Sp; meter (to put in) Sp # I wolfed down four beers and two sandwiches in fifteen minutes. #Me meti cuatro caÒas y dos bocadillos en quince minutos.

woman of the streets (prostitutes)# la mujer de mal vivir #Untitled2422#woman who lives badly# L. Am., Sp; la mujer de mala vida (woman of a bad life) Sp # In that neighborhood there are a lot of women of the streets. #En ese barrio hay muchas mujeres de mal vivir.

womanizer #el mujeriego (mujerero)#Untitled2424## L. Am., Sp; el don Juan (Don Juan) L. Am., Sp; el tenorio (old expression) L. Am., Sp; el lobo (wolf) Chicano, Mex, PR; el barbarazo Mex, PR, Col; el gallinazo Mex, Col; el gavilan (hawk) Mex, Col; el caiman (alligator) Mex, Col; el tiburon (shark) PR, Col, U # In my family there are a number of womanizers.# En mi familia hay varios mujeriegos.

wonderfully #a las mil maravillas #Untitled2339#to the thousand marvels# L. Am., Sp # Nuria knew her role wonderfully. She put on a terrific show. #Nuria se sabia su papel a las mil maravillas. Hizo un espectaculo precioso.


a word (with you) (a short conversation) #dos palabras #Untitled1292#two words# Mex, ES, S. Cone# Can I talk with you? Just a word. #Puedo hablarte? Solo van a ser dos palabras.

to work like a dog #trabajar como burro #Untitled3914#to work like a donkey# L. Am., Sp; trabajar como enano (to work like a dwarf) Ch, U, Sp # Olga worked like a dog in the winter, and she'll travel in the summer.# Olga trabajo como burro en invierno, y en verano viajara.

workaholic #el/la trabajolico(-a) #Untitled3916 ##parts of L. Am. # Poor Esmeralda! She never goes out on the weekend because her husband is a workaholic. #Pobre Esmeralda! Nunca sale los fines de semana porque su marido es trabajolico.

to be working at odd jobs #hacer algunas chapuzas #Untitled1667##Sp # Do you have a job? -I'm doing some odd jobs. #Tienes trabajo? -Hago algunas chapuzas.

working guy/girl (rank and file)# el/la currante #Untitled1059##Sp # I'm just a working guy; tell (it to) my boss. #Solo soy un currante; diselo a mi jefe.

workover (a beating or sexual play) #la calentadita #Untitled545#little heating up# Mex, ES, Col, U # They said they were looking for a guy to give him a little workover.# Dijeron que buscaban a un tipo para darle una calentadita.


to be worn to the bone # dolerle hasta los huesos #Untitled1267#to have even the bones ache# L. Am., Sp; no poder alguien con sus huesos (to not be able with one's bones) Mex, U, Sp # After working so much, I was worn to the bone. #Despues de tanto trabajar, no podia con mis huesos.

to be worth a fortune #valer un Potosi (un mundo, un imperio) #Untitled4010#to be worth a Potosi, from the silver-mining area of Bolivia [a world, an empire]# Mex, DR, Peru, Sp # Your grandmother's jewlery is worth a fortune. You should have it in the safe.# Las alhajas de tu abuela valen un Potosi. Deberias tenerlas en la caja fuerte.


to be worth its weight in gold #valer su peso en oro#Untitled4009## Mex, DR, Sp # That girl is worth her weight in gold. #Esa muchacha vale su peso en oro.

worthless (thing) #papel mojado #Untitled2720#wet paper# most of L. Am., Sp # The famous principle that all men are equal is worthless.# El famoso principio de que todos los hombres son iguales es papel mojado.

to be worthless (worth beans)# no valer un bledo #Untitled2624#to not be worth a pigweed# Mex, ES, U, Arg, Sp; no valer ni cacahuetes (to not be worth even peanuts) Mex, ES; valer papas (to be worth potatoes) Mex; valer gorro (to be worth cap) Mex# His opinions are worthless. #Sus opiniones no valen un bledo.

to write someone off (break off with someone for good, to dump someone)# borrar (a alguien) del mapa #Untitled378#to erase someone from the map# parts of L. Am.; enterrar a alguien (to bury someone) Mex, Cuba, DR, U, Arg; hacerle la cruz a alguien (to make the cross to someone) S. Cone # Don't talk to me anymore about Juan Carlos. I've written him off for good. #No me hables mas de Juan Carlos, que ya lo enterre con flores.

x-rated flick (erotic) #la pelicula verde #Untitled2874#green movie# U, Arg, Sp #You're not going to see that X-rated flick! #No vas a ver esa pelicula verde!


yeah, right, and that's likely. (sarcastic) #Claro, y los chanchos vuelan. #Untitled800#Right, and pigs fly.# parts of L. Am. # You think we're going to win the contest?-Yeah, right, like that's really gonna happen. #Te parece que vamos a ganar el concurso? -Claro, y los chanchos vuelan.

yeah, right, if you say so. (disclaimer after a compliment) #Como cree(s)? #Untitled866#How do you believe [that]?# L. Am., Sp # How young you look! -Yeah, right, if you say so. #Te yes tan jovencita. -Como crees?


to be a yes man# decir amen a todo #Untitled1173#to say amen to everything# DR, ES, S. Cone, Sp #He doesn't like problems: he's a real yes man. #A el no le gustan los problemas: siempre dice amen a to do.

you blew it. (You were too smart for your own good. You goofed) #Te pasaste. #Untitled3669#You passed yourself.# Mex, DR, PR, G, Col, S. Cone, Sp; Esa se te zafo. (That one got away from you.) Mex # A salesman shouldn't talk too much. You blew it on that sale.# Un vendedor no debe hablar tanto. Esa venta se te zafo.

you can count on me. #Cuenta conmigo. #Untitled1037#Count with me.# L. Am., Sp # We need volunteers. -You can count on me. #Necesitamos voluntarios. -Cuenta conmigo.

you can do it with your eyes closed. #Se hace a ciegas. #Untitled1661#It's done blindly.# Sp # That job is easy. You can do it with your eyes closed. #Ese trabajo es muy facil. Se hace a ciegas.

you can't trick me. (You can't make a fool outta me.) #Te conozco, mosco. #Untitled3667#I know you, fly.# ES, Nic, Peru, Ch, Arg #You can't trick me. I won't buy that car from you. #Te conozco, mosco. No te comprare ese coche.

you don't have to think twice. (It's just as it looks, obvious.) #No hay que darle vueltas. #Untitled2551#There's no need to turn it around.# Mex, DR, ES, S. Cone, Sp # Let's finish this conversation ... you don't have to think twice. #Terminemos esta platica... no hay que darle vueltas al asunto.


you got it! (Agreed! That's understood!) #Vaya!#Untitled4018 ## Mex, DR, G, ES, Col; Vale! Sp # Shall we meet at eight? -You got it! #Nos vemos a las ocho? -Vaya, pues.

you have to put yourself out (put up with damn hard times) #Hay que joderse. #Untitled1795#You have to screw yourself.; vulgar#Mex, ES, Sp # In this country you have to put yourself out to earn a living.# En este pais hay que joderse para ganarse la vida.


you look great! #Estas como quieres! #Untitled1454#You are like you want to be!# Mex, DR, ES, Sp# Do you think I look good in this suit? -Yes, you look great! #Te parece que estoy bien con este traje? -Si, estas como quieres!

you made your bed, now lie in it. #El que con niÒos se acuesta... amanece mojado. #Untitled4320#The person who sleeps with children ... wakes up wet; the second part is understood, not normally added. If you take risks, you suffer the consequences.# Mex, DR, ES, Nic, S. Cone, Sp; El que las hace las paga. (He who makes them pays for them.) Mex, DR, PR, ES, S. Cone

you never can tell when... (expression used to indicate the probability or chance of something happening) #Quien quita que... ? #Untitled3322#Who takes away that ... ?# Mex, DR, C. Am., Col, Ven, Peru# You never can tell when my cousin might show up.# Quien quita que venga mi prima.

you overdid it.# Te pasaste. #Untitled3669#You passed yourself.# Mex, DR, PR, G, Col, S. Cone, Sp # You overdid it with your aggressive comments. #Te pasaste con tus comentarios agresivos.

you son of a bitch! (You bitch!) #La madre que te pario! #Untitled2103#The mother who gave birth to you!; vulgar# Mex, DR, PR, ES, Arg, Sp; Tu madre! (Your mother!, often accompanied by a gesture with the fist of one hand raised and clenched; vulgar) Mex, C. Am.; Tu abuela! (Tu padre!) (Your grandmother! [Your father!]) DR, ES, Sp # You son of a bitch, Francisco. When will you stop mistreating your wife? #La madre que to pario, Francisco. Cuando dejaras de maltratar a tu mujer?

you're hopeless. #No se puede contigo. #Untitled2583#One can't with you.# L. Am., Sp # You're hopeless, boys. You're irresponsible and you don't do your work.# No se puede con ustedes, muchachos. Son irresponsables y no cumplen con sus tareas.

you're impossible. (I want nothing to do with you.) #Contigo ni el saludo. #Untitled931#With you not even the greeting. Used humorously after being refused when an invitation was made, meaning that the other person is being unfriendly.# Mex, G, ES, Col #Enough already. Don't insist. You're impossible.# Ya basta. No insistas. Contigo ni el saludo.


you're not serious! #No habla(s) en serio! # Untitled2546#You're not talking seriously!# L. Am., Sp#But we can't travel at night. -You're not serious! #Pero no podemos viajar de noche. -No hablas en serio!

you're off the track (cold).# No van por ahi los tiros. #Untitled2626#The shots aren't going that way.# DR, Ch, Sp # Patricia is visiting the Benavides family a lot. I think he likes Josefina. -No, my dear, you're off the track. It's Rosmari he's interested in. #Patricio esta visitando mucho la casa de los Benavides. Creo que le gusto Josefina. -Amiga mia, no van por ahi los tiros. Es Rosmari que le interesa.

you're on! (Agreed!) #Papas! #Untitled2716#Potatoes!# Mex, ES, Col; Vale! Sp; Vaya, pues! Mex, DR, G, ES, Col # Will you come to the river with us? -You're on! #Vienes con nosotros al rio? -Papas!

you're screwed. #Como dijo Herodes, te jodes. #Untitled868#As Herod said, you're screwed.; vulgar phrase of resignation# Mex, DR, Sp #You're going to be working with the new boss? -You're screwed! #Estaras trabajando con el nuevo jefe? -Como dijo Herodes, te jodes!

you're welcome. #De nada. #Untitled4202#Of nothing.# L. Am., Sp; No hay de que. (There isn't of that.) L. Am., Sp; Para que? (For what?) Mex; Con mucho gusto. (With great pleasure.) CR #Thanks for your help. -You're welcome. #Gracias por su ayuda. -de nada

young folks# la chaviza #Untitled692#opposite of momiza, fogies# Mex, Col # The young folks are all upset because they closed the disco. #La chaviza anda toda alborotada porque les cerraron la disco.


yuck! #Huaca! (Huacala!) #Untitled1852#also, guaca, waca# Mex, DR, G, ES, Col; Fuchi! (Fuchila!) Mex, ES, Col; Ochala! Mex; Puah! Sp # Yuck! How disgusting! #Puah! Que asco!


zip. (Zilch. Nothing) #Ni jota. #Untitled2476#Not a jot.# L. Am., Sp; Ni papa(s). (Not even potato[es].) Mex, C. Am., Col; Ni gorda. (Not even a fat one [coin of little value].) Sp # Did you understand what the professor said? -Zip. #Entendiste lo que dijo el profesor? -Ni papas.

