Lost in Translation II: Spanish Expressions with No Direct Equivalent in English
In our September 2024 issue, “Lost in Translation: Humorous Spanish Expressions”, we focused on Spanish expressions that can sound particularly amusing when translated literally into English. This time, we have selected other expressions that may sound strange—or even funny—when translated into English, but whose meanings are familiar to Spanish speakers. Together, they reveal the richness and variety of the Spanish language.
1. Dar gato por liebre
Literal translation: To give a cat for a hare
Closest equivalent in English: To pass something off as something better / to pull the wool over someone’s eyes
Meaning: To deceive someone by giving them something of lesser value or quality than what they expected.
2. Estar como agua para chocolate / Estar de pocas pulgas
Literal translations: To be like water for chocolate / to be in a few fleas
Closest equivalent in English: To be boiling mad / to be furious
Meaning: To be extremely angry or upset. The first expression evokes water heated to prepare hot chocolate, while the second suggests being particularly irritable.
3. No tener pelos en la lengua
Literal translation: To have no hair on one’s tongue
Closest equivalent in English: To speak one’s mind / to not mince words
Meaning: To speak frankly and openly, without worrying about whether others may be offended.
4. Hacer la vista gorda
Literal translation: To make the fat eye
Closest equivalent in English: To turn a blind eye
Meaning: To deliberately ignore something that one knows is happening.
5. Tomar el pelo
Literal translation: To take someone’s hair
Closest equivalent in English: To pull someone’s leg
Meaning: To tease or make fun of someone, often by making them believe something that isn’t true.
6. Estar entre la espada y la pared
Literal translation: To be between the sword and the wall
Closest equivalent in English: To be between a rock and a hard place
Meaning: To be in a difficult situation in which neither option is desirable.
7. Ahogarse en un vaso de agua
Literal translation: To drown in a glass of water
Closest equivalent in English: To make a mountain out of a molehill
Meaning: To become overwhelmed by a relatively small problem or difficulty.
8. Buscarle tres pies al gato / Buscarle la quinta pata al gato
Literal translations: To look for three feet on a cat / to look for the fifth leg on a cat
Closest equivalent in English: To split hairs / to look for complications
Meaning: To look for unnecessary difficulties, hidden meanings, or explanations where there are none.
9. Dormir a pierna suelta / Dormir como un lirón
Literal translations: To sleep with a loose leg / to sleep like a dormouse
Closest equivalent in English: To sleep like a log / to sleep soundly
Meaning: To sleep deeply and peacefully.
10. Quedarse de piedra / Quedarse en una pieza
Literal translations: To turn to stone / to remain in one piece
Closest equivalent in English: To be stunned / to be frozen in shock
Meaning: To be extremely surprised or shocked, to the point of being unable to react.
11. Estar en el horno
Literal translation: To be in the oven
Closest equivalent in English: To be in hot water / to be in a tough spot
Meaning: To be in a difficult or complicated situation.
12. Cada loco con su tema / Cada maestro con su librito
Literal translations: Each crazy person with their own subject / each teacher with their own little book
Closest equivalent in English: To each their own
Meaning: Everyone has their own interests, preferences, or way of doing things, and others should respect them.
13. No tener los patitos en línea / Faltarle un jugador
Literal translations: To not have one’s little ducks in a row / to be missing a player
Closest equivalents in English: To not have all one’s marbles / to be a few cards short of a full deck
Meaning: To behave in an unusual or irrational way; to suggest that someone is not quite “all there.”
Interestingly, English also has the expression to have all one’s ducks in a row, but it means to have everything organized or under control—not to suggest that someone is a little crazy.
14. Ponerse de mala leche / Tener los cables cruzados
Literal translations: To get into a bad-milk mood / to have one’s wires crossed
Closest equivalents in English: To get in a bad mood / to not be thinking straight
Meaning: To become irritated or be in a bad mood
15. Pedir peras al olmo
Literal translation: To ask the elm tree for pears
Closest equivalent in English: To expect the impossible / to ask for the impossible
Meaning: To expect something from someone or something that is incapable of providing it.
