Word/Phrase: On the ball Definition: Being alert and efficient. Spanish Translation: Estar al tanto / ser eficiente Example: She’s really on the ball with her work. Spanish Example: Ella está muy al tanto con...
Word/Phrase: Back to the drawing board Definition: To start over with a new plan after a failure. Spanish Translation: Volver a empezar desde cero Example: The plan didn’t work, so it’s back to the...
Word/Phrase: Pull someone’s leg Definition: To joke or tease someone. Spanish Translation: Tomarle el pelo a alguien Example: Are you pulling my leg or is that story true? Spanish Example: ¿Me estás tomando el...
Word/Phrase: Hit the nail on the head Definition: To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem. Spanish Translation: Dar en el clavo Example: You really hit the nail on the head with...
Word/Phrase: A blessing in disguise Definition: Something that seems bad at first but has a good result. Spanish Translation: Una bendición disfrazada Example: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise. Spanish Example: Perder...
Word/Phrase: Kick the bucket Definition: To die (informal). Spanish Translation: Estirar la pata (informal) Example: Sadly, their old dog kicked the bucket last night. Spanish Example: Tristemente, su perro viejo estiró la pata anoche.
Word/Phrase: Cut corners Definition: To do something the easiest or cheapest way, often poorly. Spanish Translation: Hacer las cosas de manera chapucera Example: They cut corners when building the house and now it’s falling...
Word/Phrase: Cost an arm and a leg Definition: Very expensive. Spanish Translation: Costar un ojo de la cara Example: That car costs an arm and a leg! Spanish Example: ¡Ese coche cuesta un ojo...
Word/Phrase: The ball is in your court Definition: It’s your decision or responsibility to act next. Spanish Translation: La pelota está en tu tejado Example: I’ve done all I can — now the ball...
Word/Phrase: Bite the bullet Definition: To endure a painful situation with courage. Spanish Translation: Aguantar el dolor / enfrentar algo difícil Example: You’ll just have to bite the bullet and go to the dentist....
Word/Phrase: Burn the midnight oil Definition: To work late into the night. Spanish Translation: Trabajar hasta altas horas de la noche Example: I had to burn the midnight oil to meet the deadline. Spanish...
Word/Phrase: Once in a blue moon Definition: Something that happens very rarely. Spanish Translation: De vez en cuando / muy raramente Example: He only visits once in a blue moon. Spanish Example: Él solo...
Word/Phrase: Let the cat out of the bag Definition: To reveal a secret by accident. Spanish Translation: Revelar un secreto sin querer Example: She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise...
Word/Phrase: Call it a day Definition: To stop working for the day. Spanish Translation: Dar por terminado el día Example: Let’s call it a day and finish this tomorrow. Spanish Example: Vamos a dar...
Word/Phrase: Speak of the devil Definition: When the person you were just talking about appears. Spanish Translation: Hablando del rey de Roma Example: Speak of the devil! We were just talking about you. Spanish...
Word/Phrase: Hit the books Definition: To begin studying hard. Spanish Translation: Ponerse a estudiar Example: I can’t go out tonight. I need to hit the books for my exam. Spanish Example: No puedo salir...
Word/Phrase: Piece of cake Definition: Something that is very easy to do. Spanish Translation: Pan comido Example: The test was a piece of cake for him. Spanish Example: El examen fue pan comido para...
Word/Phrase: Under the weather Definition: Feeling ill or unwell. Spanish Translation: Sentirse mal / indispuesto Example: She didn’t go to work today because she was feeling under the weather. Spanish Example: Ella no fue...
Word/Phrase: Break the ice Definition: To initiate conversation in a social setting. Spanish Translation: Romper el hielo Example: He told a joke to break the ice at the meeting. Spanish Example: Contó un chiste...
Word/Phrase: Throw someone under the bus Definition: To betray a friend or colleague for personal gain. Spanish Translation: Echar a alguien a los leones Example: He threw his teammate under the bus to avoid...
