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Un diccionario de dichos y expresiones en castellano--con énfasis en aquellas usuales en el dialecto Chileno--y su significado en el Inglés de Norteamérica. ESTE ES SOLO UN EXTRACTO, DE LA LETRA "A" A LA "D" . EL TEXTO COMPLETO SERÁ DISPONIBLE A PARTIR DE MAYO EN AMAZON..COM, BAJO EL TITULO "MANUAL DE EXPRESIONES HISPANAS Y SU TRADUCCIÓN AL INGLÉS NORTEAMERICANO".($US 11.99)
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DICCIONARIO DE EXPRESIONES CASTELLANAS CON SU
TRADUCCION AL INGLÉS NORTEAMERICANO.
F É L I X O T E I Z A
**************************************************
© Felix Oteiza, Santiago, Chile.
A
● A BOCA DE JARRO (decir o hacer algo) : (TO SAY OR DO SOMETHING)
RIGHT OFF THE BAT. (Ex.: “When I saw her, the other day in the street, she
said right off the bat that her pet parrot had died”).
● A BUEN ENTENDEDOR, POCAS PALABRAS : A WORD TO THE WISE IS
ENOUGH.
● A CONFESIÓN DE PARTES, RELEVO DE PRUEBAS : I REST MY CASE (Ex.:
"I'm not a liar, as you say, and all my extraterrestrial friends agree with me on
that" "If that's so, then I rest my case").
● A CUENTA DE LA CASA (sobre todo un trago) : ON THE HOUSE.
● A DECIR VERDAD... : TO SAY THE TRUTH...
● A ESPALDAS DE UNO : BEHIND ONE'S BACK (Ex.: "I hate people who speaks
ill of you behind your back").
● A LA BUENA DE DIOS :
● A LA LARGA : IN THE LONG RUN, OR HAUL (Ex.: "If you keep trying, in the
long run you will succeed").
● A LA VUELTA DE LA ESQUINA : JUST AROUND THE CORNER (Ex. : “Days
are still cold for this time of the year, you wouldn’t believe spring is just
around the corner”)
● A LO HECHO, PECHO; ASUME LAS CONSECUENCIAS DE TUS ACTOS : YOU
MADE YOUR BED NOW YOU HAVE TO LIE IN IT. (Ex.: “You flunked your
Maths test because you never paid attention in class. You made your bed,
now lie...”)
● A MANO, O MANO A MANO (QUEDAR) (sin deber nada, de un lado o del otro,
para bien o para mal) : TO GET, OR TO BE, EVEN (Ex, the hero, in a western
movie, to the stranger who saved his life : “I saved yours, you saved mine. We
are now even”. Another ex.: “Toto came from behind and hit me on the head.
Later, I caught him sleeping and I dropped a bucket of water on him. Now we
are even”).
● A MERCED DE ALGUIEN (ESTAR) : TO BE OVER A BARREL (Ex.: "John the
mobster got Bob over a barrel; Bob borrowed from him hundreds of dollars
which he cannot pay back").
● A OTRO PERRO CON ESE HUESO : GO TELL THAT TO THE MARINES.
● A PALABRAS NECIAS, OIDOS SORDOS :
● A PERRO FLACO TODO SON PULGAS :
● A PRIMERA VISTA : AT FIRST SIGHT, AT FIRST GLANCE.
● A PROPÓSITO DE : AND CONCERNING, BY THE WAY…(Ex.: “Concerning this
little mechanical problem we got here…”; “Your wife just phoned in. Oh, BTW,
I wonder why mine hasn’t called me yet”).
● A PUNTA DE PISTOLA : AT GUNPOINT.
● A PUNTO DE : ON THE VERGE OF (Ex.: “General; how things are going now,
in the battlefield?” “Sir, we are on the verge of taking full control of the
town”).
● A QUEMARROPA (un balazo) : (A SHOT) AT BLANKPOINT.
● A QUIÈN LE IMPORTA? (Y) : WHO CARES?
● A QUIÉN LE VENGA EL SAYO, QUE SE LO PONGA : IF THE SHOE, OR CAP,
FITS, WEAR IT.
● A REY MUERTO, REY PUESTO : THE KING IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE KING!
● A SIMPLE VISTA (sin la ayuda de instrumentos) : TO THE NAKED EYE.
● A TIEMPO (un individuo, un tren, un avión, exacto en la hora) : ON TIME.
● A TIRO DE PIEDRA DE (es decir, muy cerca de) : A STONE THROW FROM.
● A TODO PAVO, O A TODO CERDO, LE LLEGA SU SAN MARTIN :
● A VUELO DE PÁJARO (en línea recta) : AS THE CROW FLIES.
● ABARCAR EN EXCESO (para la capacidad que se tiene) : TO SPREAD TOO
THIN (Ex.: "According to historians, empires collapse because they spread
too thin most of times, pursuing conquests and wars that they cannot afford”)
● ABOGADO DEL DIABLO : DEVIL'S ADVOCATE.
● ABRAZO, UN BESO Y UN MORDISCO EN EL PESCUEZO (UN): HACER LAS
PACES, RECONCILIARSE : TO KISS AND MAKE UP.
● ABRIR CAMINO A (en medio de una multitud, por ej.) : TO MAKE WAY FOR.
● ABRIR(SE) CAMINO EN TERRITORIO DESCONOCIDO, Y TAL VEZ HOSTIL :
TO BLAZE A TRAIL; also, TO OPEN, OR TO BREAK, NEW GROUND.
● ABSORBER EN PLENO LA FUERZA DE ALGO : TO TAKE IT IN THE CHIN (Ex.:
"When the oil crisis struck, in l974, western economies took it in the chin").
● ABSTENERSE DE SER PARTE, EN UNA RIÑA, PUGNA O DISCUSIÓN : TO SIT
ON THE FENCE (Ex.: "While Tom and Bob argued heatedly, Bob's big brother
was just sitting on the fence").
● ABURRIDOR, LATOSO (ALGO) : SOMETHING AS FUNNY AND INTERESTING
(TO WATCH) AS THE DRYING PAINT OR THE GROWING GRASS.
● ABURRIR A ALGUIEN AL MÁXIMO : TO BORE SOMEONE STIFF; TO BORE
SOMEONE TO DEATH, OR TO TEARS.
● ABUSADOR (física o mentalmente) : BULLY; SOMEBODY WHO THROWS, OR
PUSHES, HIS WEIGHT AROUND.
● ACABAR RÁPIDAMENTE (con algo o con alguien) : TO MAKE SHORT WORK
OF (Ex: "When the cat finally caught up with the mouse, he made short work
of it"; "Bobby, a good student, usually makes short work of school
assignments given to him").
● ACABARSE, EXTENUARSE, ALGO : TO WEAR THIN (Ex., from an exasperated
boss: "Tell that guy Smith that my patience with him is already wearing thin".
● ACARICIAR UNA IDEA : TO TOY WITH AN IDEA.
● ACCIÓN Y MENOS PALABRAS (MÁS) (sobre todo cuando uno se lo pasa
quejando de persona, situación, etc) : PUT UP OR SHUT UP (Ex.: “You say
that you don’t like the neighbours you got…Well, put up or shut up. Move out
of there or accept your situation”).
● ACECHAR : TO LIE IN WAIT.
● ACEITAR LAS RUEDAS (para que asunto legal, administrativo, marche; pagar
coimas, hacer de cuña) : TO OIL THE WHEELS, OR TO GREASE THE
WHEELS.
● ACELERADO (ESTAR)(ya sea de furia o de entusiasmo) : TO BE STEAMED
UP.
● ACELERADO (ESTAR)(sobre todo en el sentido de hallarse expectante,
ganoso frente a algo que viene, desafío, empresa, combate) : TO BE ALL
PUMPED UP (Ex.: “The Argentinians came to the World Cup final with
Germany all pumped up, after having defeated Brazil in the semifinals”).
● ACELERAR (cuando al volante de un vehículo) : TO STEP ON THE GAS.
● ACEPTABLE, SIN LLEGAR A SER LA PERFECCIÓN MISMA : GOOD ENOUGH
(Ex. : “Boss, I did my best to come up with the good numbers, in this budget
estimates, but I couldn’t…” “Let me see. Mmm...Good enough”).
● ACÉPTALO COMO UN HECHO, TE GUSTE O NÓ (dicho de manera cortante) :
PUT IT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT (Ex.: "Mary doesn't want to talk to you
anymore, John. So, put that in your pipe and smoke it").
● ACEPTAR, TOLERAR, RECONOCER ALGO, (LLEGAR A) (pero más bien a la
fuerza) : TO COME TO TERMS WITH (Ex.: “Every individual in his forties have
to come to terms with the fact that he is not a young man anymore”).
● ACEPTAR UN DESAFÍO : TO RAISE TO THE CHALLENGE.
● ACERTADO, JUSTO AL PELO : RIGHT ON THE BUTTON. (Ex.: “The
accountant was right on the button when saying that we spent way too much
money in this company, without any returns”).
● ACHAPLINARSE, VOLVER UNO ATRÁS SOBRE SU PALABRA : TO GO BACK
ON ONE'S WORD. (Ex.: “You promised we'd spent the afternoon playing cards
and now you want to go to the mall. Please, don't go back on your word”.
● ACHICARSE FRENTE A UN RIVAL, ACOBARDARSE : TO PULL, OR TO DRAW,
IN ONE'S HORNS.
● ACIERTO EN ACIERTO (IR DE) : TO PUSH ALL THE RIGHT BUTTONS; TO
MAKE ALL THE RIGHT MOVES.
● ACLARAR A ALGUIEN (decirle un par de cosas) : TO TELL HIM, HER, A
THING OR TWO.
● ACLARAR LAS COSAS CON ALGUIEN (y así acabar con un desacuerdo,
disputa) : TO CLEAR THE AIR WITH SOMEONE.
● ACLARARLE ALGO A ALGUIEN : TO SET SOMEONE STRAIGHT (Ex., the boss
to an employee: "Listen Smith, let me set you straight: you come here to
work, not to sleep at your desk!").
● ACLIMATARSE (aprender los reveses y los derechos de un trabajo, de una
situación nueva) : TO GET INTO THE SWING OF THINGS.
● ACOBARDARSE : (en situación de riesgo o de probable confrontación) : TO
CHICKEN OUT (from a situation of risk or confrontation); TO GET COLD FEET.
● ACOMPLEJAR, ACHICAR A ALGUIEN(con palabras, trato descortés,
apocador) : TO TAKE SOMEBODY DOWN A NOTCH, OR DOWN A PEG (Ex.:
"Smith was very proud of the job he had done, and he thought of himself as a
great sales manager. But the boss took him down a notch, when he told him
that anyone could have done the same thing, if not better”).
● ACOSTARSE CON LAS GALLINAS : TO GO TO BED WITH THE CHICKEN.
● ACTITUD SANTURRONA, MORALIZADORA, FRENTE A LOS DEMÁS (TENER
UNA) : TO HAVE A HOLIER THAN THY ATTITUDE; TO TAKE THE HIGH
MORAL GROUND. (Ex.: “I don't like the holier than thy attitude of this guy.
He's always talking about morality and decency, yet he got a wife and two
cuncubines”).
● ACTIVIDAD Y/O PROGRESO (HALLARSE EN GRAN) : TO BE ON THE GO, OR
ON THE MOVE.
● ACTUALIDADES (LAS) (en la prensa, la radio, la TV) : CURRENT EVENTS;
NEWS OF THE DAY, OR OF THE HOUR.
● ACTUALMENTE, EN NUESTROS DÍAS : IN THIS DAY AND AGE.
● ACTUAR PARA LA PLATEA (actuar tratando de ganar en popularidad, en una
audiencia antes que por principio o convicción): TO PLAY TO THE GALLERY.
(Ex.: “When senator Smith said that he abhorrs corruption in public service,
no one believed him. Everyone knew he just just playing to the gallery”.
● ADONDE FUERES HAZ LO QUE VIERES : WHEN IN ROME DO AS THE
ROMANS DO.
● ACUSACIONES—CIVILES O CRIMINALES—HAN SIDO RETIRADAS (LAS) :
THE—-CIVIL OR CRIMINAL—CHARGES HAVE BEEN DROPPED.
● ADVERTENCIA : SHOT ACROSS THE BOW (Ex.: "That note, sent by the bank
to Mr. Smithen, reminding him how much he owes them, is nothing short of a
shot across the bow”).
● AFERRARSE A UNA POSICIÓN, OPINIÓN O IDEA : TO STICK TO ONE'S
GUNS; TO STAND (BY) ONE'S GROUND.
● AGARRAR A ALGUIEN POR EL LADO MALO (por ej., hablándole bien de algo,
o alguien, que él detesta, o viciversa) : TO RUB, OR TO STROKE, SOMEONE'S
FUR THE WRONG WAY.
● AGARRAR AL LEÓN POR LA COLA (correr riesgos, tal vez innecesarios);
HALLARSE EN SITUACIÓN PRECARIA : TO HOLD THE WOLF BY THE EARS.
● AGOTADO (TENER ALGO) (ello puede ser dinero, mercadería, objetos,
tiempo, combustible, paciencia, etc) : TO BE OUT OF (cash, or money,
merchandise, stuff, time, fuel, patience, etc).
● AGOTAR UNO SU BIENVENIDA (convertirse en visita indeseada) : TO WEAR
OUT ONE'S WELCOME.
● AGRADECE A TU BUENA ESTRELLA : THANK YOUR LUCKY STAR.
● AGRADÉCELE A DIOS (a tu buena suerte, tu familia, tus amigos, etc) : COUNT
YOUR BLESSINGS.
● AGREGAR COMBUSTIBLE A LAS LLAMAS : TO ADD FUEL TO THE FLAMES.
● AGUA EN SU VINO (PONER UNO) (moderar uno sus opiniones, su posición,
en una pugna o desacuerdo) : TO PUT WATER IN ONE'S WINE.
● AGUAFIESTAS, AMARGADO : WET BLANKET.
● AGUANTAR, TOLERAR (gen. algo desagradable, abusivo) : TO PUT UP WITH
(Ex: “Why do you let this guy talk to you like that; why do you put up with
it?”).
● AGUÁNTATE UN POCO! (conminando a alguien a suspender sus argumentos
en discusión, para responderle) : HOLD YOUR FIRE!; STOP RIGHT THERE!
Ex.: “...and you're also a bully...” “Hold your fire! No, I'm not a bully!”.
● AGUAR LA FIESTA : TO CRASH THE PARTY.
● AGUJA EN UN PAJAR : NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK.
● AH, A PRÓPOSITO...(se viene de recordar algo) : AH, BY THE WAY...
● AH, QUÉ RICO! (con placer) : IT FEELS GOOD! THIS IS THE LIFE!
● AHOGAR UNO SUS PENAS EN EL ALCOHOL : TO DROWN ONE'S SORROWS,
OR ONE'S TROUBLES. (no need to point out about alcohol).
● AHOGARSE EN UN VASO DE AGUA : TO DROWN IN A GLASS OF WATER.
● AHORRAR CADA CENTAVO : TO PENNY PINCH.
● AHORRAR, REDUCIR GASTOS : TO PULL IN, OR DRAW IN, ONE'S HORNS.
● AHORRE SU SALIVA : SAVE YOUR BREATH.
● AHUECAR EL ALA : TO HIT THE ROAD, TO SCRAM, TO LEAVE.
● AL BORDE DEL ABISMO, DE UN PRECIPICIO (ESTAR) : TO STAND ON THE
EDGE OF A PRECIPICE; TO BE ON THE BRINK.
● AL CALOR DE LA BATALLA, DE LA DISCUSIÓN, DE LA COMPETENCIA : IN
THE HEAT OF BATTLE, OR OF THE ARGUMENT, OR OF THE COMPETITION.
● AL CÉSAR LO QUE ES DEL CÉSAR...: TO THE CESAR WHAT IS DUE TO THE
CESAR...
● AL CONTADO : COLD CASH; HARD CASH (Ex.: "He bought a 50.000 dollars
car. And he paid hard cash for it").
● AL DÍA (PONER ALGO, ALGUIEN) : TO BRING SOMETHING, SOMEONE, UP
TO DATE (Ex. a TV network executive, to a field reporter, in Iraq: “Bring me up
to date on the general situation in Bagdag, Smith”).
● AL FILO DE LA NAVAJA : ON A KNIFE EDGE.
● AL FINAL TODO SE SABE : IT ALL COMES OUT IN THE WASH.
● AL FIN! (exclamación cuando uno se ha liberado de manera definitiva de algo,
relación, objeto, obligación, etc, que sólo le ha causado problemas y
miserias. Por ej., es lo que diria el conserje de un edificio, al ver partir a un
arrendatario que se emborracha, que causa problemas, que no paga la renta,
etc) : GOOD RIDDANCE!.
● AL LÍMITE, HASTA EL FINAL : TO THE HILT (Ex.: “That important soccer
match was intensely fought, to the last minute, to the hilt”).
● AL MAL TIEMPO BUENA CARA (PONER) : TO MAKE A VIRTUE OF
NECESSITY (Ex.: "When the foreign tourists were told they would have to stay
for several more days in that remote island, because of bad weather, they
decided to make a virtue of necessity; so they made plans to play cards and
other social games, during that time”).
● AL MAL TIEMPO BUENA CARA : IF LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS, MAKE
LEMONADE.
● AL OJO; MÁS O MENOS (algo se estima sin mayor reflexión o cuidado) : OFF
THE TOP OF ONE'S HEAD (Ex.: “How many people, do you think, will come to
the party, next Saturday? “Off the top of my head I would say....a hundred”).
● AL PAN, PAN, Y AL VINO, VINO : TO CALL A SPADE A SPADE, TO TELL IT AS
IT IS.
● AL REVÉS (física y figurativemente) : THE OTHER WAY AROUND (Ejs., “Tell
me, of those friends of yours, is John the engineer and Tom the doctor?" "No,
it's the other way around” Or, a mom to her son : "But Tim, you have put
again your sweeter on the other way around!").
● AL TIRO, AHORA MISMO (ref. siempre al tiempo presente) : RIGHT NOW.
● AL TIRO, AL MOMENTO (puede referirse a momento pasado) : RIGHT AWAY;
ON THE SPOT (Ex. : “The mouse got out of the hole, and right away the cat
caught it”).
● AL TIRO, APENAS SE NECESITE (algo, los servicios de alguien) : IN SHORT
ORDER; ON CALL (Ex.: "We don't know when exactly we will need those
sandwichs, so it will be much better if you can make them on call").
● ALARACA (HACER UNA GRAN) (exagerar los efectos de algo, los errores de
otros, etc) : TO MAKE A (BIG) FUSS OF SOMETHING; TO MAKE A MOUNTAIN
OUT OF A MOLEHILL. (Ex.: “Okay, that cake I ate was the one you had baked
for the Church's members, but do you have to make such a fuss of it?”.
● ALARACA (HACER) (exagerar acerca de cosa, evento ocurrido) : TO BLOW
SOMETHING OUT OF PROPORTION (Ex.: "The alleged ugly incident, between
Britna and Mona never happened. The girls were just horsing around, joking,
and then the media blew the whole thing completely out of proportion").
● ALARMA (SONÓ LA) : THE ALARM (SYSTEM) WENT OFF.
● ALARMA (VOZ DE) : WAKE UP CALL (Ex: "For some heavy smokers, to start
spitting blood is a brutal wake up call").
● ALERTA, DE REACCIONES RÁPIDAS (ALGUIEN) : SOMEONE QUICK ON THE
TRIGGER.
● ALERTA, LISTO PARA LA ACCIÓN (ESTAR) (en relación a algo que está
sucediendo, evento, partido de futbol) : TO KEEP ONE'S EYES IN THE BALL.
● ALERTA, LISTO PARA LA ACCIÓN (pero en relación a eventos por venir) :
PSYCHED UP. (Ex. : “The Vals are all psyched up for that match on Sunday”).
● AL FIN SE LLEGA A LO MISMO (como resultado, conclusión) : IT AMOUNTS,
OR IT COMES, TO THE SAME THING (Ex., a mother: “Stop wondering which
homework you should do first, the one on Maths or the one on Biology. Just
start doing any of them. At the end, it amounts to the same thing”).
● ALGO EN QUÉ PENSAR : FOOD FOR THOUGHT (Ex.: With your suggestion,
that I should expand my business, you gave me some food for thought”).
● ALGO POR EL ESTILO, CON ESE SIGNIFICADO : TO THAT EFFECT (Ex.:
"Mary said that she hated Bob, or words to that effect").
● ALGO, UNA PERSONA, ME ESTÁ VOLVIENDO LOCO : HE IT IS DRIVING ME
NUTS, OR CRAZY, OR MAD, OR DRIVING ME UP THE WALL.
● ALGUIEN INCAPAZ DE MATAR UNA MOSCA : SOMEBODY WHO COULDN'T
SWAT, OR KILL, A FLY.
● ALGUIEN ME QUIERE, O ME ODIA, ALLÁ ARRIBA : SOMEBODY UP THERE
LOVES ME, OR HATES ME.
● ALGUIEN, ALGO, QUE NO LE CEDE EL PRIMER LUGAR A NADIE (sea ello en
calidad, en talento, capacidad) : SOMEBODY, SOMETHING SECOND TO NONE
(Ex. : “When it comes to fast cars, Ferrari es second to none”).
● ALIMENTO RANCIO, DESCOMPUESTO: SPOILED FOOD; FOOD UNFIT FOR
CONSUMPTION; FOOD PAST ITS EXPIRING DATE.
● ALLÁ, EN ESA DIRECCIÓN (implicando a veces una distancia o una posición
o lugar geográfico) : OVER THERE.
● ALLANAMIENTO (ORDEN DE) : (POLICE) SEARCH WARRANT.
● ALMA DE LA FIESTA (EL) : THE LIFE OF THE PARTY.
● ALMACÉN DE BARRIO, PARA SALIR DE APUROS : CONVENIENCE STORE.
● ALQUITRANAR Y EMPLUMAR A ALGUIEN (gen. en forma figurada,
implicando atacarle en la opinión de terceros) : TO TAR AND FEATHER
SOMEONE.(Ex. : “Bill Clinton was tarred and feathered by the mainstream
media in this country when his Monica Lewinsky affair came up”).
● ALTAR (TENER ALGUIEN SOBRE UN) : TO HAVE SOMEONE ON A
PEDESTAL.
● ALTERARSE, ENFURECERSE: TO HIT THE ROOF, THE CEILING (Ex.: "When
my father saw what I had done to the family car, he hit the roof!”).
● ALTIVO, CREIDO, MIRAMENOS : SOMEONE WITH HIS, HER, NOSE IN THE
AIR.
● ALTURA DE LAS CIRCUNSTANCIAS (MOSTRARSE A LA) : TO RISE TO THE
OCCASION.
● ALZARSE EN ARMAS : TO TAKE UP ARMS.
● AMANCEBARSE (vivir en pareja, acostarse regularmente con alguien) : TO
SHACK UP WITH SOMEBODY.
● AMANECER DE MALAS PULGAS : TO GET UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE
BED.
● AMARRAR ALGO (contrato, un acuerdo) : TO NAIL DOWN (a contract, a deal).
● AMARRETE; APRETADO : TIGHT FISTED.
● AMIGOS (ESTAR ALLÍ POR LOS) (haciéndoles favores, defendiéndolos, etc) :
TO GO TO THE BAT, OR TO STAND UP, FOR ONE'S FRIENDS.
● AMIGOS (SÓLO) EN LAS BUENAS : FAIR WEATHER FRIENDS.
● AMIGUITOS (o amigotes, según otros) : BUDDIES; BUDDY—BUDDIES;
● AMISTAD, BUENA RELACIÓN, CON ALGUIEN (INICIAR UNA) : TO GET
ALONG WITH SOMEONE; TO HIT IT OFF WITH HIM, HER. (Ex.: “The first time
Batman & Robin met, they really hit it off with each other”).
● AMISTADES (CULTIVAR); FORTALECER O REPARAR LAZOS PERSONALES :
TO MEND FENCES (Ex.: "At his last trip to the region he represents, senator
Smith took the chance to mend fences with long time friends, party workers
and ordinary citizens”).
● AMOR DE LOLOS : PUPPY LOVE.
● AMPOLLETA (ILUMINÁRSELE A UNO LA) : TO SEE THE LIGHT (Ex.: "After his
defeat at Stalingrad, Hitler's allies saw the light and abandoned him").
● ANDA, HÁCELO (eso que amenazas hacer) : GO AHEAD, DO IT.
● ANDAN DICIENDO POR ALLÍ...(un rumor, una noticia de ultima hora) : THE
WORD IN THE STREET IS THAT...(Ex. : “The word in the street is that Bertha
and José will marry soon”).
● ANDAR DE BOCA EN BOCA, EN LA BOCA DE TODO EL MUNDO (un
individuo, grupo, noticia, etc) : TO BE THE TALK OF THE TOWN (Ex.:
"Because of their marital fight, last night, John and Mary are today the talk of
the town").
● ANDAR EN LAS NUBES (de esperanza, alegria, entusiasmo): TO WALK ON
AIR; TO BE ON TOP OF THE WORLD; TO BE ON CLOUD NINE.
● ANDAR EN LAS NUBES (con la mente divagando, en sueños, fantasías) : TO
HAVE ONE’S HEAD IN THE CLOUDS.
● ANDAR EN PUNTILLAS : TO GO, OR TO WALK, TIP--TOEING.
● ANDAR MOSTRÁNDOLO TODO ANTE LOS DEMÁS (en especial aspectos
poco recomendables de la personalidad, hábitos personales, de uno) : TO
HAVE IT ALL HANGING OUT. (As easy examples, many present celebrities).
● ANDAR BUSCÁNDOLE EL CUEZCO A LA BREVA (andar buscando
problemas, complicaciones, conflictos, etc) : TO BE ASKING FOR TROUBLE.
● ANDARLE BUSCANDO LAS CINCO PATAS AL GATO (andar buscando una
solución improbable) : TO TRY TO SQUARE THE CIRCLE; TO TRY TO FIT A
SQUARE PEG IN A ROUND HOLE. (Ex.: “By trying to increase government
revenue without raising taxes this administration is trying to square the
circle”.
● ANDARSE CON CUIDADO CON LO QUE SE DICE, SE HACE : TO MIND ONE'S
P'S AND Q'S (Ex.: "Ever since the principal threatened him with expulsion, at
school, Johnny Badd Junior minds his p’s and q’s”).
● ANDARSE METIENDO EN TODO (especialmente en lo que no es asunto de
uno) : TO HAVE ONE’S FINGER IN EVERY PIE.
● ANILLO AL DEDO (LE VIENE COMO) : IT FITS, OR IT WORKS, LIKE A CHARM;
IT FITS LIKE A GLOVE.
● ANIMATE, TIRA PA’ ARRIBA! : ATTABOY!
● ÁNIMO EN LOS TALONES (TENER EL) : TO HAVE THE HEART IN ONE'S
BOOTS.
● ANINADO, BELIGERANTE, INQUINOSO (ALGUIEN) : SOMEBODY WITH A
CHIP IN HIS SHOULDERS.
● ANTAGONISMO : NO LOVE LOST (Ex.: "Ever since Jenny chose John instead
of Big Toto, as a husband, there is no love lost between those two").
● ANTICUADA (PERSONA) : A STICK IN THE MOOD INDIVIDUAL.
● ANTOJOS (TENER) : TO HAVE (SUDDEN) URGES.
● ANUNCIADO PARA PRONTO, O AL MENOS PREVISTO : IN THE WIND (Ex.: "A
change of management in Smithen Corp. is in the wind”).
● AÑADIDURA (POR) : FOR GOOD MEASURE (Ex.: “Kid Jones was in a
technical knock out, standing upright in the ring but already gone. Anyway,
Big Sonny gave him a last jab in the chest, for good measure”).
● APABULLAR A ALGUIEN, SUBIENDO EL TONO DE VOZ : TO TALK DOWN,
OR TO SHOUT DOWN, SOMEBODY.
● APACIGUAR, ABLANDAR A ALGUIEN (luego de agitación, discusión,
reyerta) : TO SMOOTH SOMEONE'S RUFFLED FEATHERS.
● APACIGUAR, MODERAR, BAJAR DE TONO O DE VOLÚMEN : TO TONE
DOWN (one usual example, in politics: "Please, sir, tone down your
rethorics").
● APARATO (HACER) (pretender ostentosamente que se hace algo, sin hacer
nada) : TO GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS (Ex.: "After 3 P.M., Smith doesn't do
any work at the office. All what he does then is to go through the motions").
● APARIENCIAS ENGAÑAN (LAS) : HANDSOME IS AS HANDSOME DOES; FINE
FEATHERS DO NOT MAKE FOR AN FINE BIRD (Ex.: "John is always so slick,
so well talked, so well dressed, the girls like him a lot. But if you know him
better you'll see he is mean, conceited and cheap. Handsome is as handsome
does").
● APORTILLAR ALGO (gen. una excusa, teoría, explicación, coartada) : TO
PICK A HOLE IN; TO PICK HOLES IN (Ex.: "The great detective found out that,
the day that John Badd said he had been golfing it had been very rainy and
windy and this picked a hole in his story. Nobody could have played golf in
that kind of weather!").
● APOSTAR A PERDER : TO PUT ONE'S MONEY ON A SCRATCHED HORSE,
OR ON THE WRRONG HORSE; TO BET ON THE WRONG HORSE.
● APOSTAR DINERO; JUGARLO : TO GAMBLE; slang: TO LAY IT DOWN.
● APRENDER A PORRAZOS : TO LEARN THE HARD WAY.
● APRENDER LOS TRUCOS DE OFICIO, LUGAR : TO GET THE HANG OF (Ex., a
young, new mechanic to the owner of the car repair shop : “I think I’m finally
getting the hang of it”).
● APRENDIZ DE BRUJO : SORCERER'S APPRENTICE.
● APRETAR LOS DIENTES (con gran resolución) : TO GRIT ONE’S TEETH.
● APRETAR LAS CLAVIJAS A ALGUIEN : TO TURN, OR TO PUT, THE SCREWS
ON SOMEBODY; TO TURN THE HEAT ON SOMEBODY.
● APRETARSE EL CINTURÓN : TO TIGHTEN ONE'S BELT.
● APRIETA EL ZAPATO (ADONDE) : WHERE THE SHOE PINCHES.
● APROVECHAR (ALGO) AL MÁXIMO : TO MAKE THE MOST OF SOMETHING.
● APROVECHAR LA OCASIÓN (de hacer algo, de actuar) : TO MAKE HAY
WHILE THE SUN SHINES.
● APROVECHARSE DE ALGUIEN, TENERLE DE MONIGOTE : TO WALK, OR TO
STEP, ALL OVER SOMEONE; TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOMEONE.
● APURADO VIVE APURADO MUERE (EL QUE) : HASTY CLIMBERS HAVE
SUDDEN FALLS; IT'S THE PACE THAT KILLS.
● APURAR, MOVER, LAS COSAS (usar la propia influencia, con cuñas, coimas,
etc) : TO GREASE THE WHEELS; TO GET THINGS MOVING.
● APÚRATE! APÚRENSE! : HURRY UP! SHAKE A LEG!
● ARMADO(S) HASTA LOS DIENTES : ARMED TO THE TEETH.
● ARMAR ALARACA; REACCIONAR EXAGERADAMENTE : TO CRY BLOODY
MURDER; TO MAKE A BIG FUSS .
● ARMAR LA GRANDE (peleando, celebrando, haciendo alboroto,
vandalizando) : TO RAISE DEVIL, OR HECK (Ex.: "When their club lost the
final of the Cup, Super fans raised devil").
● ARMAS TOMAR (ALGUIEN DE) : A TOUGH COOKIE; A BULLY.
● ARRANCA LA MOTO (A ÉL, A ELLA, SE LE) : HE, SHE, DOESN'T PLAY WITH
A FULL (POKER) DECK; More bluntly: HE, SHE, IS NUTS.
● ARRANCA, ARRANQUEN! : RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, LIVES!
● ARRANCARSE, EMPRENDER LA FUGA : TO TAKE TO THE WOODS; TO
HEAD FOR THE HILLS.
● ARRASTRAR (un nombre, una reputación) POR EL BARRO : TO DRAG (name,
reputation) THROUGH THE MUD.
● ARRASTRAR EL PONCHO (andar buscando pelea) : TO TRAIL ONE'S COAT.
● ARRASTRAR LOS PIES : TO DRAG ONE'S FEETS.
● ARREGLÁRSELAS, INGENIARSELAS (para lograr algo) : TO MANAGE TO
(Ex.: “I finally managed to take my drunk friend home, after the party”).
● ARREGLÁRSELAS SOLO : TO FEND FOR ONESELF.
● ARRÉGLATELAS COMO PUEDAS (no me jodas)! : FIT YOURSELF!
● ARREGLO DE CUENTAS (gen. por las malas) : SETTLING OF ACCOUNTS;
SETTLING OF A SCORE.
● ARREMANGARSE LAS MANGAS (y ponerse en acción) : TO PULL, OR TO
ROLL, UP ONE'S SLEEVES.
● ARRIBISTA, SIÚTICO(A) : SOCIAL CLIMBER; UPPITY; UPSTAR; PARVENU.
● ARRIESGAR AL TODO O NADA : TO PUT SOMETHING, OR ALL, ON THE
LINE. Ej: “In this match, boxer Jones is putting his World Title on the line”.)
● ARRIESGAR LA (PROPIA) VIDA : TO TAKE ONE'S LIFE INTO ONE'S OWN
HANDS. (Not to be confused with TO TAKE ONE’S OWN LIFE = Suicidarse).
● ARRIMAR EL HOMBRO :
● ARRINCONAR A ALGUIEN, ACORRALARLE (ponerle contra la pared) : TO
DRIVE SOMEONE INTO A (TIGHT) CORNER.
● ARRISCAR LA NARIZ (de delicadeza, desdén, etc, ante algo, alguien, que se
considera poco digno) : TO TURN ONE'S NOSE AT SOMEONE, SOMETHING.
● ARROJAR A LA BASURA, DESPERDICIAR ALGO : TO THROW AWAY (Ex.;
"Don't throw away the best years of your life").
● ARROJARSE A LOS PIES DE ALGUIEN (en pleitesía) : TO THROW ONESELF
AT SOMEBODY'S FEET.
● ARRUINARLE, ALGO O ALGUIEN, LA FIESTA A UNO (arruinarle lo que está
en tren de cumplir, realizar, acometer, etc) : TO RAIN IN ONE'S PARADE.
● ARRUINARSE, UNO MISMO, SU FUTURO, SU CARRERA, SUS PLANES : TO
COOK ONE'S GOOSE (Ex.: "By illegaly taking the money in his trust, the bank
manager cooked his goose”). Also, TO COOK SOMEBODY ELSE’S GOOSE.
● AS BAJO LA MANGA (TENER UN) : TO HAVE AN ACE IN THE SLEEVE.
● ASADO : BARBECUE (pron. barbikiú)
● ASEGURAR (TE LO PUEDO); NO TENGO DUDA ALGUNA : I'LL BET YOU MY
BOTTOM DOLLAR; YOU BET YOUR BOOTS (Ex. "I'll bet you my bottom dollar
that, in the next World Cup, Germany will win").
● ASEGURAR, AMARRAR, GARANTIZAR ALGO (un proyecto, un plan, la
palabra de alguien) : TO NAIL DOWN (a proyect, a plan, the word of someone).
● ASES (TENER TODOS LOS) (es decir, todo aquello que garantiza éxito) : TO
HOLD ALL THE TRUMPS.
● ASÍ Y ASÍ; ASÍ Y ASÁ (algo que ha sido yá especificado, hasta en el menor
detalle) : THUS AND THUS; THUS AND SO (Ex.: "The boss wants that report
written down thus and so, otherwise he won't accept it").
● ASPECTOS SOBRESALIENTES DE ALGO (PREOCUPARSE SÓLO DE LOS) :
TO HIT (ONLY) THE HIGH SPOTS (Ex.: "When Bob opens a book, he hits only
its high spots: pictures and drawings” Another, “When Johnny Cool comes
to town, he hits only the high spots : classy bars and nightclubs”).
● ASUMIR, FINALMENTE, CONTROL, SUPERIORIDAD (sobre algo que le ha
complicado la vida a uno) : TO GET THE UPPER HAND (Ex. : “After wrestling
with that circus bear for an hour, finally Big Toto got the upper hand on him”).
● ATADO DE NERVIOS (una persona) : NERVOUS WRECK; NERVOUS NELLY.
● ATAJADO EN LA GARGANTA, EL PALADAR (ESTAR ALGO): TO STICK, OR
TO BE STUCK, (SOMETHING) IN ONE'S THROAT.
● ATAR CABOS SUELTOS (concluír un trabajo, asunto) : TO TIE LOOSE ENDS;
TO WRAP THINGS UP; TO CROSS THE Ts’ AND DOT THE Is’
● ATAR LAS MANOS; TENER LAS MANOS ATADAS : TO TIE THE HANDS; TO
HAVE ONE'S HANDS TIED.
● ATEMORIZADO UNO DE SU PROPIA SOMBRA (ESTAR) : (TO BE) AFRAID OF
ONE'S OWN SHADOW.
● ATENCIÓN, CUIDADO! (advertencia frente a peligro) : WATCH OUT!
● ATENCIÓN, CUIDADO! (advertencia, o aún amenaza) : WATCH IT! CAREFUL!
● ATENCIÓN, CUIDADO CON LO QUE DICES! : WATCH YOUR MOUTH!
● ATENCIÓN, CUIDADO DONDE PONE(S) LOS PIÉS! : WATCH YOUR STEP!
● ATENCIÓN DEL PÚBLICO (QUITARLE A ALGUIEN LA) (con gestos, palabras o
con el comportamiento) : TO STEAL THE SPOTLIGHT FROM SOMEBODY.
● ATERRIZAR UNO EN SUS PIÉS : TO LAND ON ONE'S FEET, OR TO LAND ON
BOTH FEET.
● ATERRORIZAR A ALGUIEN AL EXTREMO : TO SCARE SOMEONE STIFF.
● ATERRORIZARLE ALGO A UNO : TO SCARE THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ONE;
TO SCARE ONE OUT OF ONE'S WITS.
● ATOCHAMIENTO EN EL TRÁFICO : TRAFFIC JAM.
● ATRAER ATENCIÓN, CREAR REVUELO : TO MAKE A SPLASH.
● ATRASADO (ESTAR) (individuo, tren, avión; algo, alguien, que aún no arriba,
pasada yá la hora establecida) : TO BE OVERDUE..
● ATRIBUÍRLE A UNO PALABRAS QUE NO HA DICHO : TO PUT WORDS INTO
ONE'S MOUTH.
● AUSENTARSE CON PERMISO MÉDICO : TO BE, OR TO GO, ON SICK LEAVE.
● AUSENTE (CON LA MENTE) : NOBODY HOME (Ex., a teacher, to a student:
"Bob...Bob... Bob!...Nobody home...?").
● AUTO MUY PEGADO A OTRO, ADELANTE, EN LA AUTOPISTA (IR) : TO GO
TAILGATING (THE CAR IN FRONT).
● AUTÓNOMO (SER) (depender sólo de sí mismo) : TO PADDLE ONE'S OWN
CANOE; TO BE ONE’S OWN MAN OR WOMAN.
● AUTOPROMOVERSE, JACTARSE : TO BLOW, OR TO TOOT, ONE'S OWN
HORN, OR ONE’S OWN TRUMPET.
● AVENTAJAR DE SOBRA A ALGUIEN (en deportes, talento, en política, etc) :
TO RUN RINGS AROUND SOMEONE. (expr. probably inspired on what a (far)
better runner could do to others, in a race).
● AVENTAR SECRETO, SACARLO A LUZ : TO LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG;
TO BLOW THE LID OFF IT; TO SPILL THE BEANS; TO BLOW THE GAFF.
● AVESTRUZ (HACER COMO EL) : TO BURY, OR TO HIDE, ONE'S HEAD IN THE
SAND.
● AVISO (sobre una puerta, barrera, etc) : NOTICE.
● AVISO EN EL PERIÓDICO (clasificado o nó) : AD IN THE PAPER.
● AVISO EN LA TV : TV ADD. (if one of commercial nature, TV COMMERCIAL).
● AVÍVATE! DESPIERTA! PONTE EN ACCIÓN! : COME ON, SMARTEN UP!
● AVÍVESE, DÉJESE DE DECIR, PENSAR, TONTERAS, IGNORANCIAS! : WAKE
UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE!
● AYÚDATE Y DIOS TE AYUDARÁ : GOD HELPS THOSE THAT HELP
THEMSELVES.
● AZORARSE, OBRAR CON PRECIPITACIÓN POR EL PÁNICO : TO PUSH THE
PANIC BUTTON.
● AZUZAR A DOS RIVALES, CONTRINCANTES (para sacerle provecho a la
gran inquina que se creará entre ellos. Es lo que hizo El Manco en Por un
Puñado de Dólares) : TO PLAY BOTH SIDES AGAINST THE MIDDLE).
● AZUCARAR, ACARAMELAR (para mejor hacer tragar a alguien mala noticia,
situación inconfortable, desagradable) : TO SUGARCOAT; TO GILD THE PILL.
B
● BABOSO (estúpido) : SUCKER (you can use it, also, as "fanatic", as in "I'm a
sucker for cowboy movies").
● BAJAR BANDERA (ceder en una discusión, disputa, pugna) : TO HAUL DOWN
ONE’S FLAG, OR ONE’S COLORS.
● BAJAR LA CABEZA DE VERGUENZA : TO HANG, OR TO HIDE, ONE'S HEAD
IN SHAME; TO HANG ONE’S HEAD DOWN.
● BAJAR LA GUARDIA :
● BAJARLE LOS HUMOS A ALGUIEN : TO GET SOMEONE OFF HIS HIGH
HORSE; TO GET SOMEONE DOWN A NOTCH.
● BAJO LA MESA (PAGAR, SER PAGADO) (a escondidas del fisco; salario,
cuentas, honorarios, etc) : TO PAY, OR TO BE PAID, UNDER THE TABLE
● BAJO SUS PROPIAS NARICES : UNDER HIS, HER, NOSE.
● BAÑO : TOILETTE, WASHROOM, RESTROOM, (in North American slang, "THE
JOHNNY")
● BARRER EL PISO CON ALGUIEN : TO MOP; TO MOP UP; TO WIPE; TO WIPE
UP; TO BROOM, THE FLOOR WITH SOMEONE.
● BARRIADA DE MALA FAMA (con delincuentes, ebrios, gangs) : SKID ROW.
● BASE EN QUÉ FUNDARSE (NO TENER) (una reclamación legal, una demanda
ante una Corte u otra autoridad) : NOT HAVE ONE LEG TO STAND ON.
● BASE NI EXPLICACIÓN (SIN) (un rumor, una historia, un evento, una excusa) :
OUT OF THIN AIR (Ex.: "The rumor about the flying saucer landing right in the
Vatican, was something that really grew out of thin air”).
● BASTE DECIR : SUFFICE TO SAY (Ex.: "It's really cold, up in the Great North.
Suffice to say that even snowmen need winter clothing overthere!").
● BATIRSE CON DIENTES Y MUELAS : TO FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL.
● BATUTA (LLEVAR LA) : TO WEAR THE PANTS; TO CALL THE SHOTS; TO
PULL THE STRINGS; TO RULE THE ROOST: TO RUN THE SHOW.
● BELLEZA ES ALGO A FLOR DE PIEL (LA) : BEAUTY IS SKIN DEEP.
● BELLEZA ESTÁ EN LOS OJOS QUE MIRAN (LA) : BEAUTY IS IN THE EYES
OF THE BEHOLDER.
● BESO DE LA MUERTE (EL) : THE KISS OF DEATH.
● BICOCA (OBTENER ALGO POR UNA) (a precio risible) : TO GET SOMETHING
FOR A SONG.
● BIEN HECHO, SIGA TRABAJANDO ASI : WELL DONE, KEEP UP THE GOOD
WORK.
● BIEN VESTIDO : SHARP AS A TACK.
● BLANCO COMO UNA SÁBANA (un semblante) : AS WHITE AS A SHEET.
● BOCA ABIERTA (QUEDAR UNO CON LA) (del choc, la sorpresa) : ONE'S JAW
DROPS, OR DROPS A MILE (Ex.: "My jaw dropped a mile when I saw my ex-
girlfriend already going out with some other guy!”).
● BOCA DEL LOBO (METERSE EN LA) : TO GET INTO THE WOLF'S LAIR.
● BOFETADA EN LA CARA (acto, cosa, declaración, que constituye un insulto,
un agravio) : A SLAP IN THE FACE (Ex.: "demonstrations of joy and jubilation,
by some people, after the events of 911, must be seen as a slap in the face to
the people of the U.S.A").
● BOHEMIO (persona trasnochadora en general) : NIGHT OWL.
● BOLSERO : FREE LOADER.
● BORRACHO COMO CUBA :
● BOTAR EL BEBÉ CON EL AGUA CON LA QUE SE LE BAÑÓ : TO THROW THE
BABY WITH THE BATH'S WATER.
● BOTIQUÍN DE PRIMEROS AUXILIOS : FIRST AID KIT.
● BRAZO DERECHO : RIGHT HAND MAN.
● BRAZOS DE MORFEO (EN LOS) : IN THE ARMS OF MORPHEUS.
● BREVE Y AL PUNTO (entrevista, explicación, reunión, conferencia) : SHORT
AND SWEET (an interview, explanation, conference, etc). Also, SHORT AND
TO THE POINT.
● BRINDAR A LA SALUD DE : TO DRINK THE HEALTH OF.
● BROMA : PRACTICAL JOKE.
● BROMA PESADA : BAD JOKE (mostly used in a serious way, as, for ex., could
be the case when the police comes to arrest an inside trader, in his office, and
he then starts screaming, in shock: "What is this, guys, a bad joke...?").
● BROMAS APARTE : JOKING APART; JOKING ASIDE.
● BUEN ENTENDEDOR, POCAS PALABRAS (A) : A WORD TO THE WISE IS
ENOUGH.
● BUENA POSICIÓN, EN SITUACIÓN FAVORABLE (EN) : SITTING PRETTY (Ex.:
"And after having been made CEO of that company, with a 200.000 dollars a
year salary, Smithen was left sitting quite pretty”).
● BUENA, O MALA, MANERA (HACER ALGO DE) : TO DO SOMETHING WITH
GOOD, OR BAD, GRACE.
● BUENO EL CILANTRO PERO NÓ TANTO (ES) (o, de lo bueno poco, de otra
manera llega a causar hastío y desagrado) : TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING.
● BUENO PARA NADA (como insulto personal) : GOOD FOR NOTHING.
● BUJÍA DE MOTOR A EXPLOSIÓN : SPARK PLUG.
● BURRO QUE TOCÓ LA FLAUTA UNA VEZ (EL) (un logro único, improbable de
repetirse una vez más) : A FLASH IN THE PAN.
● BUSCA Y ENCONTRARÁS : SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND.
● BUSCÁNDOSE PROBLEMAS (ANDAR) (aunque la exp. en inglés es usada, en
realidad, mucho más para indicar el andar buscando camorra) : TO BE
LOOKING FOR TROUBLE.
C
● CABALLO REGALADO NO SE LE MIRAN LOS DIENTES (A) : NEVER LOOK A
GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH.
● CABEZA DE PIEDRA : BLOCKHEAD; BRICKHEAD.
● CABEZA DE CHORLITO : BIRD BRAIN; PEA BRAIN, AIRHEAD.
● CABEZA HUECA : AIRHEAD.
● CABEZAS DE PESCADO, NECESADES (ESTAR DICIENDO); ESTAR LOCO :
TO BE ALL WET (Ex.: "...and then the extraterrestrials came and started
talking to me..." "Sorry, but you are all wet").
● CABEZAS PIENSAN MEJOR QUE UNA SOLA (DOS): TWO HEADS ARE
BETTER THAN ONE.
● CABEZAS QUE VAN A RODAR (HAY); HAY CABEZAS QUE DEBEN RODAR :
HEADS WILL ROLL; HEADS MUST ROLL.
● CABLE DE ALTA TENSIÓN : POWER LINE.
● CABO SUELTO : LOOSE END.
● CABOS SUELTOS (ATAR LOS) : TO TIE THE LOOSE ENDS.
● CABRAS A ALGUIEN (ÍRSELE LAS) : SOMEONE HAS HAD A WET DREAM.
● CABREARSE (dejar de hacer tonteras, de molestar a otros, etc) : TO STOP
FOOLING AROUND, BOTHERING OTHERS, MAKING A PEST OF ONESELF;
TO KNOCK IT OFF.
● CABRÉATE! BASTA! : ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! STOP IT (RIGHT NOW)! KNOCK
IT OFF!
● CABREARSE DE ALGO, DE UNA ACTIVIDAD, DEJARLO DE LADO : TO
KNOCK OFF SOMETHING.
● CABREARSE, ABURRIRSE (sobre todo de tolerar algo, alguien, una mala
situación o relación, etc) : TO BECOME FED UP WITH SOMETHING; TO HAVE
HAD IT. (Ex.: “I have had it with this job, I'm now presenting my resignation”).
● CABRO DEL TRAPITO (el que limpia parabrisas de auto en las luces de los
semáforos) : SQUEEGY KID (OR GIRL).
● CACHARLAS (comprender una idea, pregunta, demanda, mecanismo) : TO
FIGURE IT OUT (Ex.: "Ah! I have finally figured out how this machine works!").
● CACHARLAS (NO); NO TENER LA MAS MÍNIMA IDEA DE ALGO : NOT HAVE A
CLUE. Ej.: “Which date is today?” “I don’t have a clue”. “Why did you ask Big
Toto to be a member of our team in the Bridge Competiton? He doesn’t have a
clue”.
● CACHARLE LA ONDA A ALGUIEN (saber de qué cosa él, ella, está hablando,
comprender qué cosa está haciendo) : TO MAKE SENSE OF WHAT SOMEONE
IS SAYING OR DOING. (Ex.: “I can't make sense of the way this firm works”.)
● CACHARLE LA ONDA A UNA PERSONA (llegar a conocerla bien; saber cosas
de ella que probablemente oculta, camufla, que no quiere que se sepan) : TO
HAVE SOMEBODY’S NUMBER; TO KNOW SOMEBODY’S TRUE COLORS (and
a song by Phill Collins).
● CACHATIVA, CON RAPIDEZ DE ESPÍRITU (ALGUIEN CON) : SOMEBODY
WITH A MIND LIKE A STEEL TRAP; SOMEBODY SHARP AS A TACK.
● CACHIPORREARSE (NADA COMO PARA) : NOTHING TO BE PROUD OF, TO
BRAG ABOUT. (Ex.: "Honestly, your tenth place in that athletic race is nothing
to brag about").
● CACHIPORREARSE : TO PLUME ONESELF; TO PRIDE ONESELF; TO BRAG.
● CADA COSA A SU TIEMPO (HACER) : TO PUT ONE'S PANTS, TROUSSERS,
ONE LEG AT A TIME.
● CADA COSA A SU TIEMPO Y EN SU LUGAR : THERE IS A TIME AND A PLACE
FOR EVERYTHING.
● CADA DÍA TIENE SU AFÁN : TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME.
● CADA LOCO CON SU TEMA : EVERY FOOL HAS HIS CAP.
● CADA UNO CON SU GUSTO : DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS.
● CADA UNO PARA SÍ, PARA SU SANTO (librado a su propia suerte, sus
propios recursos, en riña, discusión, competencia, match, etc) : A FREE FOR
ALL.
● CADA UNO ES EL ARTÍFICE DE SU PROPIO DESTINO : EVERY MAN IS THE
ARCHITECT OF HIS OWN FORTUNE.
● CAER DE PIÉ, SOBRE LOS PIÉS (salir bien parado de una mala situación, de
una crisis) : TO LAND ON ONE'S FEETS, OR ON BOTH FEET.
● CAER DE RODILLAS : TO FALL ON ONE'S KNEES.
● CAERSE DE BRUCES : TO FALL FLAT (ON ONE'S FACE).
● CAÍDA SOBRE EL TRASERO (UNA) (sobre todo como parte de un
espectáculo cómico) : A PRATFALL.
● CAJA DE PANDORA : CAN OF WORMS; PANDORA’S BOX.
● CÁLCULO AL OJO : BALLPARK FIGURE (Ex.: "How much the new campus
will cost, you want to know...? Let me think…the main building will cost…”
“Just give me the total investment, a ballpark figure” “Two hundred million
bucks”)
● CÁLCULOS EN LOS RIÑONES : KIDNEY STONES
● CÁLCULOS EN LA VESÍCULA : GALL STONES.
● CALENTAR EL CUERPO (con licor, masajes, etc) : TO WARM ONE'S BLOOD.
● CALENTAR UN ASIENTO (permanecer en un cargo, responsabilidad, sin
hacer trabajo alguno o sólo para cuidárselo a otra persona) : TO WARM A
SEAT.
● CALENTARLE (ALGO) LA SANGRE A UNO : TO MAKE (SOMETHING) ONE'S
BLOOD BOIL; TO MAKE ONE SEE RED.
● CALENTARSE LA CABEZA POR NADA : TO WORRY ABOUT SMALL THINGS.
● CALIDAD, ORDINARIO (DE BAJA) : CHEESY, LOW BROW. (Ex. in a film
review: "That was a cheesy show, a really low brow production").
● CALIDAD, REFINADO (DE ALTA) : CLASSY, HIGH BROW (Ex., "That was a
high brow rendition of one of Mozart’s best pieces, played in a delicate,
understated way").
● CALIFICAR, PONER NOTA : TO BE THE JUDGE OF (Ex.: "See, boss, the
excellent job I did with that contract!” “I’ll be the judge of that, Smithen”).
● CALLEJÓN OSCURO (TENER QUE ATRAVESAR EL) (tener que hacer frente a
una situación dura, difícil, dolorosa) : TO (HAVE TO) RUN THE GAUNLET (Ex.:
"After it was revealed that he was considered the main responsable for the
bankruptcy of the company, Mr. Smithen had to run the gaunlet of both, irated
shareholders and relentless journalists").
● CALMA (GUARDAR LA) (en situación de riesgo, stress, angustia) : TO PLAY
IT COOL.
● CALMA Y RESIGNACIÓN (TOMAR ALGO, GEN. NEGATIVO PARA UNO, CON) :
TO TAKE SOMETHING IN (ONE'S) STRIDE. (Ex.: “Curiously enough, even if he
had just lost a fortune of millions, he took things in stride”).
● CALMAR LAS COSAS (apaciguar a quienes se disputan, están en
desacuerdo) : TO POUR OIL IN TROUBLED WATERS.
● CALMARSE (cuando se es presa de una gran agitación, emoción, sobre todo
cuando de una naturaleza hostil, belicosa) : TO KEEP ONE'S SHIRT ON.
● CÁLMATE (dicho a alguien que se excita o se precipita) : TAKE IT EASY,
KEEP YOUR SHIRT, OR YOUR PANTS, ON.
● CÁMARA LENTA : SLOW MOTION.
● CAMARÓN QUE SE DUERME SE LO LLEVA LA CORRIENTE : HE WHO
HESITATES IS LOST.
● CAMBIAR DE CHAQUETA : TO TURN ONE’S COAT.
● CAMBIAR DE HISTORIA, DE CANCIÓN (ya sea por propia voluntad o forzado
por las circunstancias) : TO CHANGE ONE'S TUNE (Ex.: "Johnny Badd had
initially said that he had nothing to do with the bank heist. But when the
police found the stolen money in his apartment, he rapidly changed his
tune").
● CAMBIAR DE PLANES (HACER); PERTURBAR FUNCIONAMIENTO DE ALGO,
DE UN MECANISMO : TO THROW OUT OF GEAR. (Ex.: “My son’s illness
threw out of gear our plans for an european vacation, last summer”).
● CAMBIAR DE RAYAS, EL TIGRE : TO CHANGE ONE'S SPOTS (Ex.: "Did John
Badd change his spots when he got out of jail after doing hard time...? No
way. Only a week later he was back inside, this time for burglary").
● CAMINANDO SE LLEGA LEJOS : EVEN A THOUSAND MILE JOURNEY
STARTS (ALWAYS) WITH A FIRST STEP (courtesy of Mao Tsé Tung).
● CAMINAR SOBRE HUEVOS (comportarse con alguien con mucho cuidado) :
TO WALK ON EGGSHELLS (Ex.: "As the possibility of a general strike looms
in, the boss is walking on eggshells, when dealing with the union").
● CAMINO DEL INFIERNO ESTÁ PAVIMENTADO DE BUENAS INTENCIONES
(EL) : THE ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS.
● CAMINO SECUNDARIO EN EL CAMPO : BACK ROAD.
● CAMORRA (ANDAR BUSCANDO) : TO BE LOOKING FOR A FIGHT; TO BE
LOOKING FOR TROUBLE.
● CAMPAÑA DE RUMORES : WHISPERING CAMPAIGN.
● CAMUFLAJE (para ocultar defectos, mala calidad; para hacer aparecer algo
mejor que lo que es) : WINDOW DRESSING (Ex.: "The quality of learning at
that school is rather mediocre. The fancy web site, the gloosy promotional
books, the slick TV commercials, that's nothing more than window dressing").
● CAÑA MALA (luego de una juerga) : HANGOVER.
● CANCHA SE VEN LOS GALLOS (EN LA) (o sea, "cuando las papas queman") :
WHEN THE GOING GET TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING.
● CANCIÓN DE CUNA : NURSERY RHYME.
● CANTAR (ESO ES OTRO) (es decir, algo muy diferente a lo que se creía hasta
ahora) : THAT’S SOMETHING ELSE AGAIN; THAT'S A HORSE OF ANOTHER
COLOR. (Ex, an impatient car salesman : "First, you told me that you wanted a
new car, but now you are talking about buying a used one. Let me tell you,
that's something else again").
● CANTIDAD DE...(EN LA) : TO THE TUNE OF...(Ex.: "In that car I spent to the
tune of ten thousand bucks").
● CAPACHA (LA); LA CÁRCEL : slang: THE SLAMMER.
● CAPILLA (EN); SENTADO EN LA CAJA CON VIDRIOS : IN HOT WATER (Ex:
"Ever since he was caught by a TV News camera vacationing in Florida—while
he was supposedly in New York City, visiting his dying aunt—Smith has been
in hot water with the boss).
● CAPITAL (HACERSE) (sobre todo político) : TO MAKE (POLITICAL) CAPITAL.
● CARA DE PALO (apariencia facial) : DEADPAN FACIAL EXPRESSION.
● CARA DE PALO (CON) : WITH A STRAIGHT FACE; DEADPAN (Ex.: “And when
he said to me that he hated my guts, he said it with a straight face” ; “It was a
deadpan Doris who told Bob that it was all over between them).
● CARA LARGA (ANDAR CON LA) : TO BE DOWN AT THE MOUTH; TO HAVE A
LONG FACE.
● CARA O SELLO : HEADS OR TAILS.
● CARAS TIENE LA MEDALLA (DOS) : TWO SIDES HAS A COIN; THERE ARE
TWO SIDES TO EVERY QUESTION.
● CARIDAD BIEN ENTENDIDA COMIENZA POR CASA (LA) : CHARITY BEGINS
AT HOME.
● CARNE DE GALLINA (DARLE A UNO) : TO GIVE ONE THE CREEPS; TO GIVE
ONE GOOSE BUMPS (Ex.: "Seeing that big white shark, coming right out of
the water, in that horror movie, gave me the creeps).
● CARRIL (TIRARSE UN) (hablar de algo sin tener información o fundamento) :
TO TALK THROUGH ONE'S HAT (This exp. is used mostly in a critical way,
referring to others; ex. : “Johnny says that red haired women make the best
lovers, that blondes are better friends, but that dark haired ones make the
best wives and mothers” “What does he know. He is just talking through his
hat”).
● CARRIL (TIRARSE UN) (dar una opinión, hacer una predicción, al puro olfato,
por puro instinto) : TO GO OUT IN A LIMB (Ex: “And who do you think will win
the championship this year?” “I’ll go out in a limb and say that The Valiants”).
● CARTUCHÓN (referido a persona muy quisquillosa que hace grandes
historias por nada) : ANAL RETENTIVE (noun and adj.; from psychology,
refering to the annal phase on every individual’s psychological development)
● CASA CON TEJADO DE VIDRIO NO DEBERÍA TIRAR PIEDRAS (QUIEN VIVE
EN) : DON'T THROW ROCKS IF YOU LIVE IN A HOUSE OF GLASS.
● CASA DEL HERRERO, CUCHILLO DE PALO (EN) : THE SHOEMAKER’S SON
GOES BAREFOOT.
● CASARSE : TO TIE THE KNOT.
● CASTIGAR, REPRENDER DURAMENTE : TO RAP THE KNUCKLES.
● CASTIGAR, SIN HACERLO REALMENTE (más que nada en las apariencias) :
TO GIVE A SLAP IN THE WRIST. (Ex.: “See, the CEO of that company that
went bankrupt ripped off everyone in town. And what sentence he receives for
that? Two years probation!—i.e. with no jail time—That’s a slap in the wrist!”).
● CASTILLO DE NAIPES : HOUSE OF CARDS.
● CASTILLOS EN EL AIRE : CASTLES IN THE AIR; CASTLES IN SPAIN.
● CATEO DE LA LAUCHA (ESTAR AL) (en espera de la oportunidad, la
ocasión) : TO KEEP ONE'S EYE IN THE BALL.
● CATEO DE LA LAUCHA (ESTAR AL) (como loro, vigía, sapo; en ocasiones de
terceros, los que están ocupados en algo furtivo) : TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT.
● CATETE, ANTIPATICO, PESADO : PEST.
● CATETEAR (sobre todo con la insistencia de una demanda, de una broma,
una sugestión, etc.): TO PESTER (Ex., a boss, talking about one of his
employees : “Smith has been pestering me all week long about that new
computer system he wants installed in his office”).
● CAUTELA (ABANDONAR TODA) : TO THROW (ALL) CAUTION TO THE WIND.
● CAVAR UNO SU PROPIA SEPULTURA : TO DIG ONE’S OWN GRAVE.
● CAZADOR CAZADO : SOMEONE WHO IS HOISTED BY HIS OWN PETARD
(Ex.: “Johnny Badd used to steal and eat other employees’ lunches. But one
day he was hoisted by his own petard when someone laced his or her own
lunch with a laxative pill and left it unattended so he could grab it”).
● CEBOLLENTA (historia, discurso, gesto, persona) : CORNY STORY, SPEECH,
GESTURE, PERSON.
● CEDER (ante un rival, amenaza; ante circunstancias negativas,
desfavorables : TO KNUCKLE UNDER; TO GIVE IN (Ex.: “The roof of the old
building started to knuckle under the weight of the accumulated snow”).
● CEDER (en empeño, pugna, confrontación); VERSE OBLIGADO A CAMBIAR
DE OPINIÓN : TO HAUL, OR TO STRIKE, DOWN ONE'S COLORS (Ex. : “After
Senator F… proved that Senator Smithen was wrong in his point of view
during their political debate, Mr. Smithen was forced to strike down his
colors”).
● CEDER EL CONTROL, LA AUTORIDAD, SOBRE ALGO O ALGUIEN (de manera
voluntaria) : TO TAKE A BACK SEAT.
● CHACOTEAR, BROMEAR CON ALGUIEN (sea ello verbal o físicamente) : TO
KID, OR FOOL, AROUND.
● CHAMULLEAR; CARRILEARSE : (dirigirse a terceros, con supuesta autoridad,
conocimiento, de aquello que apenas se conoce o que no se conoce del todo,
de puro fanfarrón o farsante): TO SHOOT OFF ONE'S MOUTH; TO SHOOT OFF
ONE'S FACE; TO TALK THROUGH ONE’S HAT.
● CHAMULLO, HISTORIA, EXCUSA, RAZONAMIENTO SIN PIES NI CABEZA :
BULLSHIT; STUFF AND NONSENSE; BALONEY.
● CHANCE (NO TENER LA MÁS MINIMA) (de salir de un problema, situación, de
lograr algo) : NOT STAND A CHANCE, OR A SHOW; NOT HAVE A PRAYER;
TO HAVE A SNOWBALL’S CHANCE IN HELL.
● CHANCHITO (para meter las monedas, ahorrar) : PIGGY BANK.
● CHANCHO EN MISA (UN): SOMETHING OUT OF WHACK, OUT OF PLACE.
(Ex.: "That ninety year old guy was totally out of whack shaking his bones in
the midst of those fifteen year old rock dancers!").
● CHANCHOS VAN A VOLAR ANTES QUE...(LOS) (algo que jamás vá a pasar) :
PIGS MAY FLY; HELL WILL FREEZE BEFORE...(Ex.: “Hell will freeze before
you’ll see the head of Goldman & Sachs and Michael Moore eating at the
same table"); Also PIGS MAY FLY.
● CHARLATÁN, "GRUPIENTO" : SNAKE OIL SALESMAN.
● CHASCARRO (frase corta y (supuestamente) cómica, típica de los humoristas
de tipo stand-up) : ONE LINER (Ex., one stand-up comic to his audience :
"One unusual thing happened as I was coming over here tonight...I wasn't
drunk!").
● CHEQUE EN BLANCO : BLANK CHECK (Ex.: "By voting this law, Congress is
giving the government a blank check for economic and social reform").
● CHEQUEAR ALGO : TO CHECK ON SOMETHING (Ex.: "Please, check on the
first floor. I think I left some lights on”).
● CHIFLADO; LUNÁTICO : FRUITCAKE; NUT CASE; LUNATIC.
● CHINGARSE : TO CHOKE (Ex., from an exasperated soccer fan: "Every year
the Super Ones choke in the finals!").
● CHIRIMOLLO (cheque sin fondos): RUBBER CHECK; CHECK THAT
BOUNCES.
● CHIRIPA, SIN ANDARLO BUSCANDO (DESCUBRIR O HALLAR ALGO DE) : TO
FIND OR TO DISCOVER, SOMETHING, BY SERENDIPITY.
● CHIRIPA, POR CASUALIDAD (SUCEDER ALGO DE) : TO OCCUR SOMETHING
BY HAPPENSTANCE.
● CHISMEAR; CHISME : TO GOSSIP; GOSSIP.
● CHISTE COCHINO : DIRTY JOKE.
● CHISTE FOME : LAME JOKE; DULL JOKE; JOKE THAT FALLS FLAT.
● CHISTE INDECENTE, GROSERO : OFF COLOR JOKE; DIRTY JOKE.
● CHISTE O BROMA (EL OBJETO, LA VÍCTIMA DE UN) : THE BUTT OF THE
JOKE.
● CHOAPINO PARA LOS PIÉS (usualmente en la puerta principal de una casa) :
WELCOME MAT (Ex., in figurative sens: "When the president of that country
came to visit us, we unrolled the welcome mat for her").
● CHOQUEAR; SORPRENDER—GRATAMENTE O NÓ : TO RAISE EYEBROWS
(Ex.: "The skimpy dress that Britna Superstar wore last night, for the awards
ceremony, was guaranteed to raise eyebrows").
● CHUPAMEDIAS (si se trata de un subalterno en una jerarquía, sea ella estatal,
politica, administrativa, etc) : YES MAN.
● CHUPARLE LAS MEDIAS A ALGUIEN : TO LICK SOMEBODY'S BOOTS; TO
SUCK UP TO SOMEONE.
● CHUPARSE LOS BIGOTES (de gusto, adelantamiento) : TO LICK ONE'S
CHOPS.
● CHUPARSE LOS LABIOS (saboreando algo de antemano) : TO LICK ONE'S
LIPS.
● CHUPASANGRE, EXPLOTADOR : SCROOGE (from the tale A Christmas Carol,
by Dickens).
● CHURRO, MUJER ESTUPENDA : KNOCK OUT; BABE.
● CIEGO QUE AQUÉL QUE NO QUIERE VER (NO HAY PEOR) : THERE IS NO
BLIND AS THOSE WHO WILL NOT SEE.
● CIEGOS QUE GUÍAN A CIEGOS (LOS) : THE BLIND LEADING THE BLIND.
● CIERRA LA BOCA, CÁLLATE : SHUT UP; PUT A LID, OR A SOCK, ON IT.
● CLARO (ALGO ESTÁ TOTALMENTE) : MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT; THERE
IS NO MISTAKING. (Ex., one sports reporter: “Make no mistake: Ronildo is the
best striker to come up in the League in more than ten years”).
● CLAVO (DARLE JUSTO AL) : TO HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.
● CLAVO EN EL ATAÚD DE ALGUIEN, DE ALGO (OTRO MÁS, EL ULTIMO) :
ANOTHER, THE LAST, NAIL IN THE COFFIN OF SOMEONE, SOMETHING.
● CLAVO SACA OTRO CLAVO (UN) : ONE NAIL DRIVES OUT ANOTHER.
● COBARDOTE, TEMEROSO (SER) : TO HAVE A YELLOW STREAK.
● COBRARLE A ALGUIEN SU PALABRA : TO TAKE SOMEBODY ON HIS, HER,
WORD.
● COCINADO EN SU PROPIO JUGO (SER) : TO STEW IN ONE'S OWN JUICE.
● COCINAR LOS LIBROS (de contabilidad) : TO COOK THE BOOKS.
● CODICIA (TENER) : TO HAVE AN ITCHING PALM (Ex.: "Don't go anywhere
near John's business ‘cause he will charge you a fee even for that. That man
has an itching palm”).
● COGIDO DESPREVENIDO, SIN PREPARACIÓN (SER) (como cuando el profe
anuncia un exámen sorpresivo, a la clase) : TO BE CAUGHT ON THE WRONG
FOOT; TO BE CAUGHT OFF GUARD, WITH ONE’S PANTS DOWN.
● COGOTE (HASTA EL) : UP TO ONE'S NECK (Ex.: "Smith is now up to his neck
in debt").
● COGOTEAR, ASALTAR : TO MUG, TO HOLD UP, TO ROB.
● COGOTERO : MUGGER, ROBBER.
● COIMA : KICKBACK.
● COIMA, (DARLE A ALGUIEN UNA) : TO GREASE SOMEBODY’S PALM.
● COLACIÓN (SACAR, TRAER A) : TO BRING UP (Ex., an airated wife, during an
argument with her husband: "It’s you the one who brought up the subject of
past infidelities, in our conversation, not me").
● COLGANDO DE LA AMPOLLETA (DEJAR A ALGUIEN) (en una situación
difícil, aún insostenible) : TO LEAVE SOMEONE IN THE LURCH (Ex.: "He had
promised that he would put, at least half the capital in our business; and now,
when I have put mine he leaves me in the lurch. He invests in something
else").
● COLLERA (HACER UNO) (en una competición, confrontación o reyerta) : TO
GIVE AS GOOD AS ONE GETS (Ex.: "Boxer Jones gave as good as he got,
during last Saturday match").
● COLLERA (HACER) (ser capaz de mantenerse a la altura de alguna cota o
exigencia; de un ritmo de trabajo, de un competidor, etc) : TO KEEP UP WITH
(Ex.: "After he moved to a better school, Bob had to study and work harder to
keep up with the brilliant students he found there").
● COLLERA (HACER) (mostrarse a la altura de rivales, competidores, así sea
ello sólo en términos históricos) : TO HOLD ONE'S ONE (Ex.: "When it comes
to great strikers in football history, Zamorano holds his own").
● COMADREAR, CHARLAR, PASAR EL TIEMPO CON AMIGOS : TO SHOOT THE
BREEZE.
● COMBATIR EL FUEGO CON EL FUEGO : TO FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE.
● COMENTARIOS (SIN) : NO COMMENT.
● COMENZAR OTRA VEZ ALGO DESDE CERO : TO START FROM SCRATCH;
TO GO BACK TO SQUARE ONE.
● COMER COMO SI SE HUBIERA ESTADO AMARRADO : TO EAT LIKE A PIG.
● COMIENDO EN SU MANO (TENER A ALGUIEN) (haberse ganado su entera
confianza o credulidad) : TO HAVE SOMEONE EATING OF ONE'S HAND.
● ¿COMO ES ESO? ¡COMO SE LLEGO A ESO? : HOW’S THAT? HOW COME?
● COMO QUIERA(S) : AS YOU PLEASE.
● COMO LO QUISIERA LA SUERTE; COMO LO QUISO EL DESTINO : AS LUCK
WOULD HAVE IT (Ex.: "As luck would have it, there were, after all, no dead or
injured in that terrible road accident").
● COMPADRE, COMPAÑERO DE FARRA: DRINKING BUDDY, SIDEKICK.
● COMPARACIONES SON ODIOSAS (LAS) : COMPARAISONS ARE ODIOUS.
● COMPARAR MANZANAS Y PERAS : TO COMPARE APPLES WITH ORANGES
(note that the fruits are not the same in both expressions).
● COMPETENCIA, CAPACIDAD (MOSTRAR UNO SU) : TO WIN ONE'S SPURS
(Ex.: "After the young mechanic was able to fix that old, complicated
machine, the shop owner told him that he had finally won his spurs”).
● COMPLETO, EXHAUSTIVO (que llena todas las condiciones y prerrequisitos
posibles o exigidos) : FULL FLEDGED (Ex. : "In this country, after four years
at university and two more working in the field, you are a full fledged
engineer” ; “This hurricane approaching now the Florida Keys looks like a full
fledged category 5”).
● COMPLICADO PARA UNO (DEMASIADO) : OVER ONE'S HEAD (Ex.: "Believe
me, the relativity theory is something well over my head") Also TO TALK
OVER SOMEBODY’S HEAD (i.e., to say things that are not understood by him,
her).
● COMPORTARSE CON ESTRICTA OBEDIENCIA A UN REGLAMENTO, A UN
MODO DE FUNCIONAMIENTO : TO WALK THE CHALK, OR THE CHALK LINE,
OR THE CHALK MARK.
● COMPOSTURA (RECUPERAR LA) (luego de gran agitación, emoción, disputa)
: TO PULL ONESELF TOGETHER.
● COMPRAR ALGO A CIEGAS (sin ver el producto de antemano) : TO BUY A
PIG IN A POKE.
● COMPRENDA QUIÉN PUEDA : GO FIGURE (Ex.: "But we see now, right when
the threat of war has finally subsided, that the government is nevertheless
spending more in weapons and the military. Go figure").
● COMPRENDE (SE) : (una relación lógica de causa y efecto) : IT FIGURES (Ex.:
"According to one recent study, schools where the teachers are the most
generous with their marks, passing every student in their classes, tend to
produce more mediocre, less qualified, professionals. It figures").
● COMPRENDER ALGO, A ALGUIEN, CORRECTAMENTE : TO GET
SOMETHING, SOMEBODY, RIGHT. (Ex., one boss to one of his employees:
“So, if I’m getting you right, you will be leaving this job at the end of the
year”). The opposite, of course, is TO GET SOMEONE, SOMETHING, WRONG.
● COMPRENDER ALGO, CAPTAR SU LÓGICA : TO MAKE HEAD OR TAIL OF
(used mainly in the negative sens, as in : “I still can’t make head or tail of the
way this machine works”).
● COMPRENDER ALGO (en ocasiones de manera un poco forzada, incómoda,
aún intimidante) : TO GET THE PICTURE (Ex.: “The boss said that he doesn’t
want to see you here when he comes back. Get the picture?” Or: “We have
gas only for two hours of driving and we are still two hundred miles away
from the nearest gas station. You get the picture”).
● COMPRENDER MAL ALGO, O COMPRENDERLO AL REVÉS : TO HOLD THE
WRONG END OF THE STICK (Ex.: "No, when you say that, by using savelight
time we are making the days last longer you are holding the wrong end of the
stick")
● COMPRENDER, O VER, ALGO CLARO DESPUÉS DE LOS HECHOS (ser un
general después de la batalla) : TO SEE SOMETHING IN HINDSIGHT.
● COMPROMETIDO (A) PARA CASARSE (RECIÉN) : (JUST) ENGAGED.
● COMPROMISO (HALLAR UN TERRENO DE) : TO STRIKE A (HAPPY)
BALANCE (Ex.: “Many women have to strike a balance between being
housewifes and being also part of the workforce”).
● COMULGAR CON RUEDAS DE CARRETA : TO BELIEVE IN THE TOOTH
FAIRY.
● COMÚN ACUERDO (EN) : WITH BOTH PARTS AGREEING... (Ex.:” So, with
both parts agreeing, this association here comes to an end”).
● CON EL FAVOR DE DIOS... : GOD WILLING...
● CON EL CORAZÓN EN LA MANO (IR) : TO GO WEARING ONE’S HEART ON
ONE’S SLEEVE.
● CON ÉL, NI A MISA : I CAN’T STAND HIM; I KEEP MY DISTANCES WITH HIM; I
KEEP A WIDE BERTH FROM HIM.
● CON LA COLA ENTRE LAS PIERNAS : WITH THE TAIL BETWEEN THE LEGS.
● CONCENTRADO EN UNA TAREA O PREOCUPACIÓN (ESTAR
TOTALMENTE) : TO BE (ALL) WRAPPED UP (in a task, a worry, a project).
● CONCENTRARSE, METERSE UNO DE CABEZA (en tarea, actividad, empresa,
en los estudios, en proyecto) : TO GET DOWN TO SOMETHING (Ex.: "Bobby,
turn off that TV and get down to you homework").
● CONCIENCIA DE ALGO (TOMAR PLENAMENTE) : TO LET SINK IN (Ex.: "But it
was only by next payday, when he didn't receive any paycheck, that for Bob
finally did sink in the reality that he had lost his job, two weeks before").
● CONFESAR, RECONOCER (una culpa o responsabilidad) : TO OWN UP (to a
mistake, fault, responsability).
● CONFIANZUDO (PONERSE); TOMARSE MUCHAS LIBERTADES : TO TAKE
LIBERTIES; TO BE, OR TO GET, FRESH.
● CONFUNDIRSE, PERDERSE EN EL PAISAJE (sea éste urbano o rural) : TO
BLEND IN THE LANDSCAPE.
● CONOCER A ALGUIEN SÓLO DE VISTA, DE PASADA : TO KNOW SOMEONE
(ONLY) BY SIGHT.
● CONOCER UNO BIEN, SU OFICIO (sus tareas, tener buena experiencia en
ellas) : TO KNOW ONE'S ONIONS, OR ONE'S STUFF; TO BE DRY BEHIND THE
EAR (Ex.: "Are you sure it was a good idea to leave our car to that mechanic,
for repairs? He seems so young and inexperienced..." "Don't worry. He knows
his onions").
● CONSERVAR LA CABEZA FRÍA : TO KEEP ONE'S HEAD (COOL).
● CONSIDERANDO…: IN VIEW OF... (Ex.“In view of the hour we adjourn this
club meeting”).
● CONSULTARLO, UN ASUNTO, CON LA ALMOHADA : TO SLEEP ON IT.
● CONTAR CON LOS DEDOS : TO COUNT WITH ONE'S FINGERS.
● CONTAR LA FIRME, LA VERDAD (puede usarse también en relación con algo
que no le concierne necesariamente a uno, pero en lo que se le considera una
voz experta, autorizada) : TO TELL IT LIKE IT IS. (Ex.: “Okay, tell it like it is :
which one is the best team, The Valiants or the Great Ones?”).
● CONTAR LA FIRME, SER FRANCO; CON FRANQUEZA : TO LEVEL; ON THE
LEVEL (Ex., a police investigator, to a suspect in a robbery: "Okay, John
Badd, level with me : where did you put the money from the bank heist?”).
● CONTENTO Y SATISFECHO QUE UNAS PASCUAS (ESTAR MÁS) : TO BE AS
HAPPY AS PUNCH, AS HAPPY AS A CLOWN.
● CONTENTO, LLENO DE ENTUSIASMO Y ENERGÍAS (ESTAR) : TO BE FULL
OF BEANS.
● CONTRA EL RELOJ (en trabajo, competencia, etc) : (to compete, to work)
AGAINST THE CLOCK.
● CONTRA TODO LO ESPERADO : AGAINST ALL, OR CONTRARY TO ALL,
EXPECTATIONS
● CONTRA VIENTO Y MAREA : COME HELL AND HIGH WATER
● CONTRADICCIÓN (EN) : OUT OF TUNE; OUT OF WHACK (Ex.: "This very idea
that women should stay at home and raise kids and cook for their husbands,
instead of going out and work, is totally out of whack with modern realities”).
● CONTRADICCIÓN CON (ESTAR EN COMPLETA); DESAFIAR A : TO FLY IN
THE FACE OF (EX.: "Recent astronomical findings fly in the face of the Theory
of the Big Bang"; "The recent cutbacks made by Smithen Corp., in its labor
force, fly in the face of previous boasts made by company executives that
they would increase investment in the near future and hire thousands of new
employees”).
● CONTROL, ASIDERO, NOCION, DE ALGO (PERDER EL) : TO LOSE THE GRIP
ON SOMETHING. (Ex.: “Slowly but surely he went mad, he went losing his
grip on reality”; “The villain lost his grip on the rock he was hanging from and
he fell into the river”).
● CONTROL, CONOCIMIENTO (TENER UN COMPLETO) (de situación, problema,
etc) : TO BE ON TOP OF THINGS (Ex: "We'll have all the information we need
about the war in Iraq. Reporter Smith is overthere and he is on top of things").
● CONTROL POLICIAL O MILITAR (PUESTO DE) : CHECKPOINT (MILITARY OR
POLICE) (as an example, the most famous of them all, Checkpoint Charlie, in
Berlin, up to 1990, in the limits between U.S and Soviet controlled zones).
● CONTROLARSE; SER OTRA VEZ DUEÑO DE SÍ : TO PULL ONESELF
TOGETHER.
● CONTUBERNIOS (HACER) (organizar manejos, arreglos, políticos o
empresariales, rápidos y discretos, y no siempre legítimos) : TO WHEEL AND
DEAL; also as nouns: WHEELINGS AND DEALINGS.
● CONVERSACIÓN (ES) DE LA MAÑANA (en oficinas y otros lugares de trabajo)
: THE TALK AROUND THE WATER COOLER (Ex.: "Last night crucial soccer
match between The Valiants and The Greats was the topics of conversations
around water coolers, this morning").
● CONVERTIR UNA DERROTA PROBABLE EN VICTORIA : TO TURN THE TIDE;
TO TIP THE SCALES; TO SAVE THE DAY.
● CONVIDADO DE PIEDRA : SKELETON IN THE FEAST.
● COPA DE MÁS (UNA) (obviamente, una de alcohol) : ONE GLASS TOO MANY.
● COPUCHA, EL RUMOR (SEGÚN LA) : RUMOR HAS IT THAT…(Ex. :"Rumor
has it that Jenny and Tom will get married next summer").
● COPUCHEAR, ANDAR CURIOSEANDO POR ALLÍ : TO GO STICKING, OR
POKING, ONE'S NOSE AROUND.
● CORAJE DE SUS CONVICCIONES (TENER UNO EL) : TO HAVE THE
COURAGE OF ONE'S CONVICTIONS.
● CORAJE ENTRE LAS MANOS (TOMAR SU) (forzarse a si mismo a ser
valiente) : TO SCREW UP, OR TO PLUCK UP, ONE'S COURAGE; TO TAKE
ONE’S COURAGE ON ONE’S HANDS.
● CORAJE, LOS COJONES (TENER EL) : TO HAVE THE GUTS, THE BALLS, THE
COJONES, THE FORTITUDE.
● CORAJE QUE NO SE SIENTE (TRATAR DE MOSTRAR UN) : TO WHISTLE IN
THE DARK
● CORAZÓN (TENER UN SALTO DEL) (de la sorpresa, choc, etc) : ONE’S
HEART MISSES A BEAT (Ex.: "When I saw her, standing there, the girl I was
dreaming about, my heart missed a beat").
● CORAZÓN DE ORO : HEART OF GOLD.
● CORAZÓN DE PIEDRA : HEART OF STONE.
● CORAZÓN EN DONDE SE DEBE TENER (TENER EL) : TO HAVE ONE’S
HEART IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
● CORAZÓN EN LA BOCA (CON EL) (especialmente de miedo, de horror) : TO
HAVE ONE'S HEART IN ONE'S MOUTH, OR IN ONE'S BOOTS.
● CORDURA (PLEGARSE UNO A LA) : TO LISTEN TO REASON.
● CORRECTO, LO DECENTE (HACER LO) : TO DO THE RIGHT THING (Ex.:
"After the school principal was caught by police driving his car while drunk,
he did the right thing and resigned from his post").
● CORREGIR A ALGUIEN (en lo que dijo, en su comportamiento, ya sea de
manera verbal o físicamente) : TO SET HIM, HER, STRAIGHT.
● CORREGIR LO QUE ALGUIEN HA DICHO O HECHO : TO SET THE RECORD
STRAIGHT (Ex. : “Answering to the accusations levelled against him, during
the last few days, the CEO of Smithen Corp. has decided to give an exclusive
interview to The Northern Gazette, in which he plans to set the record straight,
once and for all”).
● CORTADOS CON LA MISMA TIJERA (INDIVIDUOS) : INDIVIDUALS OF THE
SAME ILK.
● CÓRTALA! CÓRTALA DE UNA VEZ! : STOP IT! STOP IT RIGHT NOW!
● CORTAR DE RAÍZ (la mala semilla) : TO STRIKE AT THE ROOTS (understood
as the root cause of something, problem, conspiracy, etc, as in : “By expelling
Johnny Badd from the class, the school directors stroke at the roots of the
problems caused by the general lack of discipline, amongst students, given
the fact that he was always the one starting fights and arguments”).
● CORTAR EL CÉSPED : TO MOW THE LAWN.
● CORTAR (LA MALA HIERBA) DE CHIQUITA : TO NIP IN THE BUD (as an ex., a
cliché: "By arresting all the bandits before they could put in execution their
plans for robbing the bank, the police nipped their operation in the bud").
● CORTARLE LA INSPIRACIÓN, EL IMPULSO, A UNO; DEJARLE EN MALA
POSICIÓN : TO TAKE THE WIND OUT OF ONE'S SAILS (Ex.: "Believe it or not,
I was beating Boris Kasparov during that chess match, until the moment he
captured my Queen. There, he took the wind out of my sails").
● CORTARLE LAS ALAS A ALGUIEN : TO CLIP HIS, HER, WINGS.
● COSAS EN COMÚN, CON ALGUIEN (TENER) : TO HAVE COMMON GROUND
WITH SOMEONE (Ex.: "We can't be friends, me and Bob. We have no common
ground whatsoever”).
● COSECHA LO QUE ANTES SE SEMBRÓ (SE) : AS YOU SOW, SO SHALL YOU
REAP: AS YOU BAKE, SO SHALL YOU BREW.
● COSTAR UNA FORTUNA, UN OJO DE LA CARA : TO COST AN ARM AND A
LEG; TO COST A BUNDLE.
● CREAR CAOS, CONFUSIÓN (en algo o con algo) : TO WREAK, OR TO PLAY
HAVOC. (Ex.: “This defeat plays havoc with the intentions of The Valiants to
be once again champions of the Big League”; “Hurricane Big Toto wreaked
havoc today, in Porto Rico”).
● CREAR CONFIANZA : TO BUILD CONFIDENCE; TO BUILD TRUST.
● CREAR FALSAS ILUSIONES O EXPECTATIVAS, (en la mente de alguien) : TO
PUT IDEAS IN SOMEBODY’S HEAD.
● CRECIMIENTO Y AJUSTE (PROBLEMAS DE) (de máquina, compañía, grupo,
organización, etc) : GROWING PAINS (Ex.: " Don't worry. Our company is only
two years old; those are the natural growing pains of its expansion").
● CREERLE A ALGUIEN, EN SU PALABRA : TO TAKE SOMEBODY’S WORD
FOR IT.
● CREER UNA HISTORIA FALSA, UN CHAMULLO, UN GRUPO : TO SWALLOW
A STORY, LIE, WHOLE (Ex.: “Some stranger told him in the street that he
needed some money to go to Miami, for the funeral of his mother; so he
swallowed the tale whole and gave him 20 bucks. The only problem is, he was
the same man who had asked me the same thing…two weeks ago!”).
● CREÍDO, ENGREÍDO sust. y adj. : STUCK UP; A STUCK UP PERSON;
CONCEITED.
● CREMA DE LA CREMA, LO MEJOR DE LA SOCIEDAD HUMANA (LA) : THE
CREAM OF THE CROP; THE SALT OF THE EARTH.
● CRIADO, ENSEÑADO, DESDE CHICO (SER) : TO BE BRED IN THE BONE Ex.:
"The Smithen brothers were bred in the bone to be honest and well
behaved»).
● CRIA FAMA Y ECHATE A DORMIR :
● CRIANZA (BUENA/MALA) : GOOD/BAD UPBRINGING.
● CRITICAR (BRUTALMENTE) A ALGUIEN (por falta cometida, por omisión o
por fracaso) : TO TAKE SOMEBODY APART; TO TAKE SOMEBODY TO TASK.
● CRUZ (CARGAR UNO CON SU PROPIA) : TO CARRY ONE'S CROSS; TO
BEAR ONE'S CROSS.
● CRUZAR UNO LOS DEDOS : TO CROSS ONE'S FINGERS.
● CUALESQUIERAS SEAN LAS CONSECUENCIAS (hacer algo, tomar un curso
de acción, una decisión sabiendo que ellas pueden ser graves, cruciales) :
LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY (Ex: “The directors of that private
school asked the teachers to be more generous with their grades, to keep the
number of graduating student high. But some teachers have decided, instead,
to give the boys the grades they deserve and let the chips fall where they
may”).
● CUANDO ALGO ES OTRO CANTAR :
● CUANDO CORRESPONDA : IN DUE COURSE (Ex.: "We will be sending that
money to you, in due course").
● CUANDO EL RÍO SUENA ES PORQUE PIEDRAS LLEVA : WHERE THERE IS
SMOKE, THERE MUST BE FIRE.
● CUANDO LLUEVE TODOS SE MOJAN : EBBING TIDE LOWERS ALL BOATS.
● CUANDO LOS CHANCHOS CRÍEN ALAS : PIGS MAY FLY (Ex.: “I'll marry
Johnny Badd". Yeah, (sarcástica) and pigs may fly!”).
● CUANDO MENOS SE PIENSA, SALTA LA LIEBRE : WHERE WE LEAST THINK,
THERE JUMPS THE HARE AWAY.
● CUANTO ANTES MEJOR ; AS SOON AS POSIBLE (in memos, documents, it
appears as ASAP).
● CUATRO OJOS (persona con lentes) : FOUR EYES.
● CUBRIR A ALGUIEN DE HALAGOS : TO HEAP PRAISES ON SOMEBODY.
● CUENTAS QUE ARREGLAR CON ALGUIEN (TENER) : TO HAVE A BONE TO
PICK WITH SOMEONE; TO HAVE AN AXE TO GRIND WITH SOMEONE; TO
HAVE A SCORE TO SETTLE WITH SOMEONE.
● CUÉNTATE OTRA (o sea, no te creo ni pizca) : TELL ME ANOTHER ONE.
● CUÉNTATE UNA NUEVA : WHAT ELSE IS NEW (Ex.: "Joe Badd came home
drunk again, last night" "What else is new!”).
● CUENTO, FÁBULA (que muchos creen) : URBAN LEGEND (such as the one
that talks about crocodiles living in the New York City sewer system).
● CUERDA FLOJA (HALLARSE EN LA) : TO WALK THE ROPE.
● CUERERA, ENDEUDADO (ESTAR EN LA) : TO BE IN THE HOLE; TO BE
DEEPLY IN DEBT.
● CUERO DE CHANCHO : THICK SKIN (Ex.: "To be active in politics, you need
to have a very thick skin").
● CUEROS, EN PELOTAS (EN) : NAKED; IN ONE'S BIRTHDAY SUIT; IN THE
BUFF.
● CUESTA ABAJO : DOWN THE HILL (Ex., "After the sound equipment broke
down, last night, everything went down the hill at the party").
● CUESTION DE OPINIÓN : MATTER OF OPINION.
● CUIDADO! (se advierte a alguien de un peligro, imprevisto) : WATCH OUT!
● CUIDADO! (a manera de advertencia personal, aún de amenaza) : WATCH IT!
● CUIDADO CON LO QUE DICES! : WATCH YOUR MOUTH, OR YOUR WORDS!
● CUIDAR LO QUE SE DICE : TO MINCE ONE’S WORDS (used mostly in
negative form, as in “Toni will tell you exactly what she thinks. She is not
someone to mince her words”).
● CULEBRA, LABIA, ELOCUENCIA : GIFT OF GAB (Ex.: "Senator Smith has no
electoral platform whatsoever, so he plans to represent himself, in the next
general election, counting only on his gift of gab”).
● CULPA O RESPONSABILIDAD POR ALGO (TENER QUE ASUMIR) : TO BE
HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR SOMETHING.
● CULPA POR ALGO (ECHARSE LA) (por lo que se puede haber hecho o nó; o
en lo que se puede tener sólo una parte de la responsabilidad) : TO TAKE THE
RAP FOR SOMETHING.
● CUMPLIMIENTO DEL DEBER (EN EL) : IN THE LINE OF DUTY.
● CUMPLIR CON EL FIN, OBJETO, DESEADO (sobre todo cuando se trata de
resolver un problema) : TO DO THE TRICK (Ex. : “Your car doesn’t start, you
say…? Well, put new brand spark plugs in the engine. That’ll do the trick”).
● CUMPLIR UNA PROMESA, UN ANUNCIO : TO MAKE GOOD (ON) A PROMISE.
● CUÑA (HACER DE) (usar de la propia influencia para obtener favores, lograr
cosas, etc) : TO PULL SOME STRINGS; TO SWING ONE'S WEIGHT (Ex.: "After
he failed at entering the civil service, somebody, a friend of the familiy, pulled
some strings around. And so he was finally accepted into it").
● CURA A UNOS, A OTROS MATA (LO QUE): ONE MAN'S MEAT IS ANOTHER
MAN'S POISON.
● CURADOS SIEMPRE DICEN LA VERDAD (LOS) : THERE IS TRUTH IN WINE.
● CURIOSO DECIRLO... : STRANGE TO SAY (Ex. : "Strange to say but, after all, I
really liked that teacher").
D
● DÁLE SUFICIENTE CUERDA A UN HOMBRE Y EL SE AHORCARÁ : GIVE A
MAN ENOUGH ROPE AND HE WILL HANG HIMSELF.
● DÁLES UN POCO Y QUERRÁN TOMÁRSELO TODO (o: uno les dá la mano y
ellos se toman...) : GIVE THEM AN INCH AND THEY WILL TAKE A MILE.
● DANDO TUMBOS (IR) (en la vida, de manera temporal o permanente) : NOT
BE ABLE TO PUT ONE'S ACT TOGETHER.
● DAR A CADA UNO LO SUYO (reconocerle sus cualidades y virtudes, junto
con sus defectos) : TO GIVE THE DEVIL HIS DUE; TO GIVE SOMEBODY HIS,
HER, DUE.
● DAR EL BENEFICIO DE LA DUDA : TO GIVE SOMEBODY THE BENEFIT OF
THE DOUBT.
● DAR EL ULTIMO SUSPIRO; EL ULTIMO SUSPIRO : TO BREATH ONE'S LAST;
THE LAST BREATH.
● DAR EN EL CLAVO : TO HIT THE NAIL IN THE HEAD.
● DAR HASTA LA CAMISA (de generosidad) : TO GIVE THE SHIRT OFF ONE'S
BACK : TO GIVE ONE'S RIGHT ARM.
● DARÍA, UNO, SU BRAZO DERECHO (por algo considerado precioso, valioso
en extremo) : ONE WOULD GIVE ONE'S RIGHT ARM.
● DARLE (A UNO) PIEL DE GALLINA : TO GIVE, ONE, GOOSE BUMPS, OR
GOOSE PIMPLES.
● DARLE A ALGUIEN CON LA PUERTA EN LAS NARICES (rechazarle a él, o a
su oferta o proposición) : TO SLAM THE DOOR IN SOMEBODY’S FACE.
● DARLE A ALGUIEN LA PALABRA O LA INICIATIVA (sin que éste la pida y
para su incomodidad) : TO PUT SOMEBODY ON THE SPOT (Ex.: "So, tell us
Bob, which girl is the best one to go out in a date with: Dora, Mary, Joan...?"
"There, there you put me in the spot, they are all listening now!”).
● DARLE ALGO A ALGUIEN, EN BANDEJA (es decir, sin costo para quien lo
recibe) : TO GIVE SOMETHING, TO SOMEONE, IN A (SILVER) PLATE.
● DARLE DE COMER AL PERRO, AL GATO, AL PECECILLO : TO FEED THE
DOG, THE CAT, THE FISH.
● DARLE ABRUPTAMENTE EL CORTE A ALGO (a una situación, discusión,
conversación) : TO CUT SHORT (a situation, argument, conversation, etc).
● DARLE JUSTO AL CLAVO : TO HIT THE NAIL IN THE HEAD.
● DARLE LA PATADA A ALGUIEN (expulsarle de lugar, de una relación
personal, de asociación o grupo) : TO KICK SOMEBODY OUT; TO BOOT HIM,
HER, OUT,
● DARLE PECHO A UN BEBÉ : TO BREASTFEED (A BABY).
● DARLE SOGA A ALGUIEN PARA QUE SE AHORQUE : TO GIVE SOMEONE
THE ROPE WITH WHICH TO HANG HIMSELF.
● DARSE AIRES (por vanidad) : TO GIVE ONESELF AIRS.
● DARSE LA MANO, DOS PERSONAS : TO SHAKE HANDS.
● DARSE UNA PAUSA (interrumpir temporalmente un esfuerzo, una empresa,
un deber) : TO REST ON ONE'S OARS.
● DARSE VUELTA LA CHAQUETA : TO TURN ONESELF'S COAT (and by doing
so, to turn into a TURNCOAT).
● DÁRSELE A UNO VUELTA EL ESTÓMAGO (de asco, desagrado, aversión) :
TO TURN ONE'S STOMACH.
● DAR RIENDA SUELTA (a un proceso, a un impulso personal, etc) : GIVE FREE
REIN TO. (Ex. : “In every one of his fiction stories Jules Verne gave free rein
to his imagination”).
● DAR VUELTA LA HOJA (y comenzar de nuevo) : TO TURN OVER A NEW
LEAF; TO TURN THE PAGE.
● DATE PRISA! : HURRY UP, GET MOVING!
● DATO, INFORMACIÓN, ÚTIL PERO DESCONOCIDA DE OTROS (PASAR) : TO
TIP SOMEONE OFF (Ex.: “Flora was tipped off, by a friend, about the next big
discount sale to take effect in the downtown mall" ; “Police was able to
prevent the planned bank robbery because they were tipped off by an
informer”).
● DE ARRIBA ABAJO : FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.
● DE ATRÁS "PICA EL INDIO"...Y GANA : ONE COMES FROM BEHIND.
● DECIRLE ALGO A UNO (traérselo a la memoria, como en: “Mmm, nó; no me
dice nada”) : TO RING A BELL. (Ex: “This guy who pretends to know you from
high school, told me that his name is J. Smith. Does it ring a bell?” “Smith…?
Hmm, no; It doesn’t ring a bell”).
● DECIR LAS COSAS SIN RODEOS, DIRECTAMENTE : TO TALK STRAIGHT
FROM THE SHOULDER.
● DE DOS MALES, EL MENOR : THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS.
● DE HECHO : IN FACT.
● DE LA BOCA DE LOS NIÑOS... : OUT OF THE MOUTH OF THE BABE COMES
THE TRUTH.
● DE LA MISMA MANERA: BY THE SAME TOKEN (Ex.: “Pelé is the best player
in football history. By the same token Zidane is the best midfielder”).
● DE LEJOS (el más rápido, el más talentoso, más inteligente, etc) : BY A LONG
SHOT. (Ex. : “The greatest movie actor of the XX century is said to have been
Lawrence Olivier by a long shot” “The best science fiction movie of all times
is Planet of the Apes, by a long shot”).
● DE LEJOS : HEADS AND SHOULDERS (Ex., heard from a soccer fan: "Zidane
is a better player than Figo, heads and shoulders").
● DE MAL EN PEÓR : FROM BAD TO WORSE.
● DE NADA (como se responde a "Gracias") : THINK NOTHING OF IT; YOU’RE
WELCOME.
● DE NINGUNA MANERA, IMPOSIBLE : BY NO MEANS. (Ex : “This train is pretty
late on its schedule. By no means it will be able to arrive in Ottawa by noon”).
● DENTRO DE LO RAZONABLE : WITHIN REASON. (Ex., a parent to her teenage
son, who is preparing a party to be taking place in their house : “You’ll have
the right to have all the fun you want, but within reason”).
● DE QUÉ SE EXTRAÑA UNO (Y) : NO WONDER; SMALL WONDER (Ex.: "This
cup is all cracked. No wonder it was losing liquid”).
● DE REPENTE, SIN AVISO : OUT OF THE BLUE; OUT OF THE CLEAR SKY;
OUT OF THE BLUE CLEAR SKY; OUT OF NOWHERE (Ex.: "And then out of
the blue comes this guy in the audience and says that everything that the
speaker in the conference has been explaining to us is completely wrong").
● DE RODILLAS : ON ONE'S KNEES.
● DESCARTAR LA POSIBILIDAD : TO RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY (used
mainly in the negative, as in : “We can’t rule out the possibility of our
company going bankrupt”).
● DE SOL A SOL : FROM DAWN TO DUSK.
● DESORDENAR EL NAIPE (echar a perder los planes de alguien, arruinárselos)
: TO UPSET THE APPLECART (Ex.: “We were expecting to make a good profit
this year, but the raise in oil prices has upset our apple cart. We’ll be lucky to
end up even”).
● DESPRECIAR (NO ALGO, ALGUIEN, PARA) : NOTHING, NOBODY, TO
SNEEZE AT, OR TO SNIFF AT (Ex.: “That job, the one that Toto just got in the
machine shop, even if it’s not very well paid, it’s nothing to sneeze at,
anyway”).
● DE TAL PALO TAL ASTILLA : A CHIP FROM THE OLD BLOCK; LIKE FATHER
LIKE SON.
● DE TODAS FORMAS : IN ANY CASE; IN ANY EVENT.
● DE UN LADO, DESDE UN PUNTO DE VISTA...: ON ONE HAND...
● DE UNA VEZ POR TODAS : ONCE AND FOR ALL.
● DEBER (una explicación, excusa, favor, entrevista, dinero, cualquier cosa) :
TO OWE (an explanation, excuses, money, etc).
● DEBERÍA CAÉRSETE LA CARA DE VERGUENZA : SHAME ON YOU!
● DEBILITARSE, ALGUIEN, GRADUALMENTE (por enfermedad o depresión) :
TO WASTE AWAY.
● DEBILITARSE ALGO, PERDER FUERZA, CONSISTENCIA (puede ser cualquier
cosa; un licor, una doctrina, una excusa, la paciencia, etc) : TO WEAR THIN
(Exs., a professional wine taster: "Hmm, this Chardonnay is wearing thin"; Or,
the boss to an employee : “Listen Smith, your excuse for taking time off work
all the time, the one about the sick old aunt, is already wearing thin”.)
● DECIDIRSE : TO MAKE UP ONE'S MIND.
● DECIR LAS COSAS FRANCAMENTE : TO SHOT STRAIGHT; TO SHOOT
SQUARE; TO TELL IT LIKE IT IS.
● DECIR LO JUSTO (lo adecuado a la situación) : TO STRIKE THE RIGHT NOTE.
● DECIR LO QUE NO CORRESPONDE : TO HIT, OR TO STRIKE, THE WRONG
NOTE.
● DEFINITIVAMENTE, DE UNA VEZ POR TODAS : FOR GOOD (Ex.: "It seems
that Jeff quit golf for good. I just saw him throwing his golfing clubs into the
river").
● DÉJALO DE LADO; NO TE OCUPES DE ESO : NEVER MIND; FORGET IT;
DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.
● DEJAME EN PAZ! : LEAVE ME ALONE! GO AWAY! SCRAM!
● DÉJAME RESUMÍRTELO DE ESTA SIMPLE MANERA... : LET ME PUT IT THIS
WAY...
● DÉJAME TRANQUILO; NO ME MOLESTES, MOLESTEN : LEAVE ME ALONE.
● DÉJAME VER SI TE COMPRENDÍ (más con incredulidad que con confusión) :
LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT (Ex., a father to his 15-year old daughter: "Let
me get this straight: you want to drop out of school and get married. Is that
what you want?".
● DEJAR A ALGUIEN QUE HAGA LAS COSAS A SU PINTA, A SU MANERA,
CON SUS PROPIOS RECURSOS : TO LEAVE SOMEBODY TO HIS OWN
DEVICES.
● DEJAR ALGUIEN A LA MERCED DE : TO LEAVE SOMEBODY TO THE
TENDER MERCIES OF (Ex.:“Right after the army recruits were installed in
their barracks they were left to the tender mercies of the drill instructor”).
● DEJAR ALGO PARA MÁS TARDE (trabajo, proyecto, preoocupación) : TO
LEAVE SOMETHING IN THE BACKBURNER; TO LEAVE SOMETHING ON ICE.
● DEJAR AL ESCOBA CON ALGO, EN UN LUGAR : TO PLAY, OR TO WREAK,
HAVOC WITH, OR IN. (Ex. : “Hurricane Big Toto is playing havoc IN Florida, as
we speak” “Hurricane Toto is playing havoc WITH my plans to go vacationing
in Florida »).
● DEJAR LAS COSAS EN CLARO : TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT, TO TELL
IT LIKE IT IS.
● DEJAR PAL'GATO; ARRUINAR : TO SCREW UP (Ex.: "I know that I shouldn't
have given that job to Smithen, that he would end up screwing things up, big
time! »).
● DEJAR PARA MAÑANA LO QUE SE PUEDE HACER HOY : TO
PROCASTINATE.
● DEJAR QUE PASE LO QUE TIENE QUE PASAR : TO LET NATURE TAKE ITS
COURSE.
● DEJARSE CAER (en una visita no anunciada) : TO DROP IN.
● DEMÁS (TODO LO) (lo que se deja suponer) : STUFF (it is very liberally used,
specially by young people, as in: "During weekends I like to listen rock music,
to watch movies, to go to dances and stuff").
● DEMASIADO TEMPRANO (PARTIR, EMPRENDER ALGO); ADQUIRIR UNA
GRAN VENTAJA SOBRE COMPETIDORES O RIVALES : TO BE AHEAD OF
THE GAME (For ex. when someone arrives at a stadium hours before the
game, or the show; or when a student takes private lessons weeks before the
start of his classes).
● DEMASIADO EN EXCESO; DEMASIADO POCO : WAY TOO MANY; WAY TOO
FEW; FAR TOO MANY, FAR TOO FEW (Ex.: “In this cowboy movie, I'm seeing
far too many boys and way too few cows”).
● DEMASIADO TARDE, EL CERRAR LA PUERTA DEL ESTABLO CUANDO EL
CABALLO YÁ SE FUÉ (ES) : IT IS TOO LATE TO (CLOSE) SHUT THE STABLE
DOOR AFTER THE HORSE HAS FLED, OR BOLTED, OR ESCAPED. (Ex.: “He
bought a sophisticated home alarm, but that after his house had been
burgled. Talk about shutting the stable door after the horse has fled!”.)
● DEMOLICIÓN (TRABAJO DE) (especialmente en lo que refiere a la reputación,
la imagen pública o la credibilidad de alguien) : HATCHET JOB.
● DEMOSTRAR LO IMPROBABLE, EN LOS HECHOS : TO CONFOUND THE
SKEPTICS (Ex.: “In the Euro Cup 2004 the greeks confounded the skeptics by
winning it”).
● DEPENDE DE TÍ, DE USTED : IT’S UP TO YOU. Ej. : “When do I start?” “It’s up
to you»
● DEPENDER SÓLO DE UNO Y DE NADIE MÁS : TO STAND ON ONE'S FEET.
● DEPRESIÓN NERVIOSA : NERVOUS BREAKDOWN.
● DEPRIMENTE, SOMBRÍA (DE MANERA) : UNDER A CLOUD (Ex.: "After the
news of that death was announced, the graduating ceremony went on
anyway, in the Faculty of Sciences, but now under a cloud").
● DEPRIMIDO, INDISPUESTO : UNDER THE WEATHER.
● DERECHO NATURAL O DIVINO (CREERSE CON EL) : TO TAKE FOR
GRANTED (Ex., a wise rich man to his son: "Don't take for granted all this
wealth, because one day it may well be all gone").
● DERECHO, HONESTO (alguien, un asunto, etc) : IN THE UP AND UP. (Ex. :
“So, you think that we should participate in that business of yours friends.
But tell me before: are you sure that everything about it is in the up and up?”).
● DESABRIDO (PONER ALGO) (quitarle gusto, hacerlo aburrido, gris) : TO
TAKE THE EDGE OUT OF SOMETHING (it could be a joke, a meal, an emotion.
Ex., a moviegoer: “They really took the edge out of that Britna Superstar
movie when they cut off the sexy parts”).
● DESAFIAR; ARROJAR UN DESAFIO : TO THROW, OR TO FLING, DOWN THE
GAUNLET.
● DESAFINADO (canto, pieza musical) : OUT OF TUNE (singing, musical piece).
● DESAFÍO (ACEPTAR UN); ENTRAR A UNA COMPETICIÓN, MATCH, REYERTA
: TO TOSS, OR TO THROW, ONE'S HAT INTO THE RING; TO TAKE UP THE
GAUNLET.
● DESAHOGARSE (dar rienda suelta a una emoción de ira, de pena, frustración,
pánico, etc) : TO LET ONESELF GO (the contrary of which is TO HOLD BACK).
● DESAHOGARSE (librarse de lo que se tiene atajado en el pecho) : TO GET
SOMETHING OFF ONE'S CHEST, OR OUT OF ONE’S SYSTEM.
● DESAHOGARSE (expresando criticas hacia otros, frustraciones personales,
etc) : TO VENT ONE’S SPLEEN.
● DESCOMPUESTA (máquina, gadget, etc) : BROKEN DOWN or OUT OF ORDER
(machine or gadget).
● DESCONOCIDO (ENFRENTAR LO) : TO STEP INTO THE UNKNOWN.
● DESDE EL FONDO DE SU CORAZÓN : FROM THE BOTTOM OF ONE’S
HEART.
● DESDE OTRO PUNTO DE VISTA...: ON THE OTHER HAND...
● DESDÉN (TRATAR O MIRAR CON) : TO SNAP ONE'S FINGERS AT (Ex. "The
principal at the school is frequently scolding Johnny Badd, because of his
bad behavior, but Johnny just keeps snapping his fingers at him".
● DESGRACIA DE UNOS HACE LA FELICIDAD DE OTROS (LA) : IT IS AN ILL
WIND THAT BLOWS NOBODY ANY GOOD (Ex: "Many great actors, opera
singers and artists in general, had their first break, their first chance to appear
in public when someone else got sick or simply died. So, it is an ill wind that
blows nobody good").
● DESHACERSE DE ALGO, ALGUIEN : TO GET RID OF SOMETHING,
SOMEONE, (see also: GOOD RIDDANCE!).
● DESINFLARSE ALGO, COMO UN PETARDO MOJADO (luego de un comienzo
prometedor o aún espectacular) : TO GO OUT WITH A WHIMP; TO PETER
OUT.
● DESLIZARSE ENTRE LOS RESQUICIOS (sean legales, administrativos, etc) :
TO SLIP THROUGH THE CRACKS.
● DESORDENAR LAS CARTAS (arruinar plan o proyecto en marcha) : TO
UPSET THE APPLE CART.
● DESORIENTADO, CONFUNDIDO (ALGUIEN) : SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T
KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN, OR TO JUMP.
● DESPACITO POR LAS PIEDRAS : SOFTLY, SOFTLY, CATCHES MONKEY.
● DESPARRAMAR, ESPARCIR, A LOS CUATRO VIENTOS : TO SCATTER TO
THE FOUR WINDS.
● DESPEDIR A ALGUIEN DE SU EMPLEO (o de una relación, organización, etc) :
TO GIVE SOMEONE THE PINK ENVELOPE, THE WALKING PAPERS, THE
BOOT.
● DESPEGAR (un proyecto, esfuerzo, una vida personal) : TO GET
(SOMETHING) OFF THE GROUND.
● DESPELLEJAR VIVO A ALGUIEN : TO SKIN SOMEBODY ALIVE. (Ex.: "When
Dad will see what I have done to the family car, he will skin me alive").
● DESPIÉRTATE! (en la mañana) : WAKE UP! (and to raise the sleeper’s mood,
it can be added: RISE AND SHINE!).
● DESPRECIO A (MIRAR CON) : TO SNAP ONE'S FINGERS AT (Ex.: "I snap my
fingers at all these new recruits, in the company!").
● DESPRECIO, ARROGANCIA (MIRAR CON) : TO LOOK DOWN ONE'S NOSE;
TO LOOK DOWN (Ex.: "During Hitler's reign of terror, the nazis used to look
down everyone else, on the face of earth").
● DESPRESTIGIAR A ALGUIEN, TIRARLE BARRO : TO SLING, OR TO THROW,
MUD AT SOMEBODY.
● DESPRESTIGIAR ALGO A LO QUE SE ESTÁ RELACIONADO (nacionalidad,
familia, grupo étnico religioso, raza, relaciones sociales, profesion, a causa
del mal comportamiento personal) : TO GIVE SOMEONE, SOMETHING, A BAD
NAME (Ex.: "With all those drinking parties they throw every weekend, these
students are giving a bad name to engineers").
● DESPUÉS DE LA BATALLA, TODOS SON GENERALES : IT IS EASY TO BE
WISE AFTER THE EVENT, OR TO BE (A) MONDAY MORNING
QUARTERBACK.
● DESPUÉS DE LA TORMENTA, LA CALMA : AFTER THE STORM, COMES THE
CALM.
● DESPUÉS DE REFLEXIONAR LARGAMENTE ACERCA DE ESTE ASUNTO... :
AFTER SECOND SOBER THOUGHT...
● DESQUITARSE, VENGARSE : TO GET EVEN.
● DESTINADO, PROGRAMADO, PARA ALGO : TO BE SLATED FOR (Ex.: « By
the end of 2004, it was clear that Condi Rice had been slated for Secretary of
State of the USA").
● DESTRUIR, DAR AL TRASTO CON ALGO: TO PLAY HAVOC WITH
SOMETHING (Ex.: "The economic recession of the 80s played havoc with the
worldwide expansion plans of Smithen Corp").
● DESTRUIR CON CRÍTICAS; HALLAR SÓLO ERRORES : TO PICK APART; TO
PICK TO PIECES (Ex.: "When Smithen presented his plans for the new
building to the civil engineers, they found them full of errors, they picked
them apart").
● DESVENTAJARLE A UNO (sea ello un rival, enemigo, un grupo de personas,
una situacion, la propia condición social, económica de uno) : TO HAVE THE
CARDS STACKED AGAINST ONE (Ex.: "A poor education really stacks the
cards against you, later in life" ; “She had the cards stacked against her in
that beauty contest. All the jurors were employees of her main rival's uncle”).
● DESVESTIR UN SANTO PARA VESTIR OTRO : TO ROB PETER TO PAY PAUL.
● DETALLES PRÁCTICOS : NUTS AND BOLTS (Ex.: "After the machiney's sale
was concluded, we went into the nuts and bolts of the operation: how to make
the stuff arrive on time, what kind of insurance we needed to take, etc").
● DETENERSE ANTE NADA (NO) : TO STOP AT NOTHING.
● DETENERSE COMPLETAMENTE : TO COME TO A FULL STOP.
● DETESTAR A ALGUIEN : TO HATE SOMEONE'S GUTS.
● DETESTO CUANDO PASA ESTO (CÓMO) (como, por ej., cuando uno conduce
un auto y vá cogiendo todas las luces rojas del semáforo) : (HOW) I HATE
WHEN THIS HAPPENS!
● DEVANARSE LOS SESOS : TO RACK ONE'S BRAINS.
● DEVOLVER EL FAVOR (tanto en sentido positivo como negativo) : TO
RETURN THE COMPLIMENT; TO PAY SOMEBODY BACK (Ex.: "After I
discovered that it was Tom the one who had stolen my homework, I returned
the compliment. I destroyed his").
● DIABLO EN MISA, NA' QUE VER : NO RELATION. (Ex.: “So, are you angry with
Jane because she didn’t say “Hi” to you this morning…?” “Nope, no relation”
● DICHOSOS LOS OJOS! (se expresa el agrado de ver a alguien, algo) : A
SIGHT FOR SORE EYES!
● DIENTE A ALGO (METERLE EL) : TO GET, OR TO SINK, ONE'S TEETH INTO
SOMETHING.
● DIFÍCIL DE CREER, PERO : STRANGE TO SAY, BUT (Ex.: "Strange to say, but
already another year has gone by, when last Christmas still seems so close").
● DIGNO DE SU REPUTACIÓN (MOSTRARSE UNO) (para bien o para mal) : TO
LIVE UP TO ONE’S REPUTATION. Also used, TO LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS.
● DIGNO DE UN REY (ALGO) (o sea de la mejor calidad) : (SOMETHING) FIT
FOR A KING.
● DILEMA SIN SOLUCIÓN : HORN OF A DILEMMA (Ex.: "Many people would like
to have a good life, instead of having to stay poor and in need. But to achieve
that they would have to work very hard, which would prevent them from
having precisely the kind of life they want. So, at the end, for them it is a horn
of a dilemma”).
● DÍME CON QUIÉN ANDAS Y TE DIRÉ QUIÉN ERES : BIRDS OF A FEATHER
FLOCK TOGETHER; A MAN IS KNOWN FOR THE COMPANY HE KEEPS.
● DIME QUÉ ESTÁS PENSANDO : A PENNY FOR YOUR TOUGHTS.
● DINERO PARA PAGAR UN CONTRATO, UNA VENTA (INQUIRIR, ALGUIEN, SI
UNO TIENE) : TO WANT TO SEE THE COLOR OF ONE'S MONEY (Ex.: "So, you
say you want to buy my car. Well, let me see the color of your money").
● DIOS LOS CRIA Y ELLOS SE JUNTAN, O EL DIABLO LOS JUNTA :
● DIOS ROGANDO Y CON EL MAZO DANDO (A) : PRAISE THE LORD AND PASS
THE AMMUNITION; PRAISE THE LORD AND KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY.
● DIOS ROGANDO Y CON EL MAZO DANDO (A) : PUT YOUR TRUST IN GOD
AND KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY.
● DISCERNIMIENTO (FALTA DE) : POOR JUDGEMENT.
● DISCIPLINAR, VIGILAR, A ALGUIEN, OBLIGÁNDOLE ASI A MANTENER UNA
CONDUCTA APROPIADA, SEGUN LAS REGLAS : TO KEEP SOMEONE IN
LINE.
● DISCORDIA HABLANDO DE MÁS (SEMBRAR) (revelando cosas que se
debería callar) : TO PUT THE CAT AMONGST THE PIDGEONS.
● DISCURSO, EXPLICACIÓN, QUE OTRO SE PREPARA A DAR (EMITIR, ANTES)
: TO STEAL SOMEONE'S THUNDER. (Ex “I was about to express how much
we like the new addition to our school building, which was possible because
of you, senator Smithen, but our principal just stole my thunder. So, all I can
say now is “Thanks””).
● DISCURSO, ENTREVISTA IMPROVISADA : OFF THE CUFF COMMENT, TALK
● DISCUSIÓN A GRITOS : SHOUTING MATCH.
● DISCUSIONES BIZANTINAS (METERSE EN) (crearlas a partir de menudencias,
insignificancias, o sobre ellas) : TO SPLIT HAIRS. (Ex.:”Sitting Bull has
already agreed to sign the Peace Treaty with us, so stop splitting hairs. Who
cares how many copies we'll have to make of it”).
● DISCUTIR ACALORADAMENTE CON ALGUIEN : TO HAVE WORDS WITH
SOMEONE.
● DISGUSTARLE A UNO PROFUNDAMENTE (algo o alguien) : TO MAKE ONE
SICK (Ex. : “It makes me sick to see how much food is thrown to the garbage,
in this high class restaurant, when so many people is going hungry in town”).
● DISPERSAR A LOS CUATRO VIENTOS : TO SCATTER TO THE FOUR WINDS.
● DISPONIBLE EN CUALQUIER MOMENTO (MANTENERSE) : TO BE
AVAILABLE ON SHORT NOTICE, AT A MOMENT NOTICE.
● DISPUTA FAMILIAR : FAMILY FEUD.
● DISTINGUIDO, ELEGANTE (LUCIR) : TO LOOK LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS; TO
LOOK SHARP LIKE A TACK.
● DISTINGUIRSE, ALGO O ALGUIEN (claramente en medio de una multitud de
gente, de cosas; gen de manera poco estética, desagradable, a la vista) : TO
STICK OUT LIKE A SORE THUMB. (Ex.: that 300-pound wrestler was sticking
like a sore thumb in the midst of all those gorgeous beauty queens”.)
● DISTRAER A ALGUIEN (de itinerario o esfuerzo en el que se halla
encaminado) : TO THROW SOMEONE OFF THE SCENT. (Ex., the boss of
some mobsters planning to rob a horsetrack:“Okay guys, to throw the police
off the scent we'll make lots of bets to justify our constant presence around
the betting wickets”).
● DISTURBIO, REVUELO, DESORDEN (CREAR) : TO KICK UP A FUSS, A ROW;
TO RAISE A ROW, A DUST.
● DISUADIR A ALGUIEN DE (EMPRENDER) ALGO : TO TALK SOMEBODY OUT
OF SOMETHING.
● DISYUNTIVA (HALLARSE EN UNA) (no ser capaz de deciderse entre opciones
diferentes) : TO BE IN TWO MINDS ABOUT SOMETHING.
● DÓNDE DUELE : THE SORE POINT (Ex.: "Don't mention the name Maradona
to English soccer fans. Since l986, that's a sore point for them").
● DONDE EL DIABLO PERDIÓ EL PONCHO : IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
● DONDE UNA PUERTA SE CIERRA, OTRA SE ABRE : WHEN ONE DOOR
CLOSES, ANOTHER OPENS.
● DOPAJE; DOPARSE (un atleta) : slang: THE JUICE; TO GET JUICED UP.
● DORARLE LA PÍLDORA A ALGUIEN (prepararle para una petición, demanda,
mala noticia, etc) : TO SUGAR THE PILL, OR TO GILD THE PILL.
● DORMIR EN EL SOFÁ (el esposo, como resultado de una altercación
conyugal) : TO SLEEP IN THE SOFA, TO BE LIVING IN THE DOGHOUSE.
● DORMIR NI UNA PESTAÑADA (NO) : NOT SLEEP A WINK.
● DOS CABEZAS PIENSAN MEJOR QUE UNA : TWO HEADS ARE BETTER
THAN ONE.
● DOS ES COMPAÑIA, TRES ES MULTITUD : TWO IS COMPANY, THREE IS
NONE, OR A CROWD.
● DOS PALABRAS, EN SÍNTESIS (EN) : IN A NUTSHELL (Ex.: "And how did you
like the movie?" "In a nutshell, it was a bomb").
● DOS RAYOS NO CAEN JAMÁS EN EL MISMO SITIO : LIGHTNING NEVER
STRIKES THE SAME SPOT TWICE.
● DUEÑO DE SÍ (SER OTRA VEZ) : TO PULL ONESELF TOGETHER.
● DURO DE OREJA : HARD AT HEARING.
● DURO, INCONMOVIBLE (ALGUIEN) : (SOMEBODY) HARD AS NAILS.
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