10 Confusing Spanish Idioms

Sometimes you know the words but you just can’t get the meaning right. One of the toughest things about trying to relate to locals is understanding their slang. I already taught you some dirty words, but here are some idioms that you might run into that could confuse you. Anyone who has gotten through a couple of years of Spanish is likely to know the literal translations of these words, but knowing that they actually mean is something totally different.

1. Comehombre

Literal Translation: Eat man
Practical Use: Maneater, a girl who goes through a lot of men and destroys them

2. Darse pilas/Ponerse pilas

Literal Translation: To give yourself batteries
Practical Use: To energize yourself

3. Mandar Fruta

Literal Translation: To send fruit
Practical Use: To bullshit, to make stuff up

4. Gordo/a

Literal Translation: Fat
Practical Use: A term of endearment used for friends, significant others, etc.

5. Voy por tus pagos

Literal Translation: I am going through your payments
Practical Use: I’m going by your neighborhood

6. Me mataste

Literal Translation: You killed me
Practical Use: You got me/I’m stumped, used when you ask someone a question and they have no idea what to tell you.

7. Que poca madre

Literal Translation: What little mother
Practical Use: Bummer, how lame

8. ¿Me tienes/tenés?

Literal Translation: You have me?
Practical Use: Can you hold this for me?

9. Estoy en Chino

Literal Translation: I am in China
Practical Use: I’m totally lost/confused

10. Un sobrepaso

Literal Translation: A Over step/An around step
Practical Use: Someone who crosses the line