#Idiomatic Expressions

[spanishskulduggery]

Fun Spanish word/expression of the day is la miseria

You're probably going to assume that the word means "misery", which it can be, but it also means "abject poverty"

Like in the Emperor's New Groove, when Yzma says "you really should have thought of that before you became peasants" is translated debieron pensar antes de nacer en la miseria which is "you should have thought/considered before being born into poverty"

The other way you can see la miseria used is usually as una miseria which is "a very small amount"

Usually it's money or an amount you're being charged but for example:

me pagan muy poco "they pay me very little" is fine; but me pagan una miseria is like "they pay me in peanuts" very idiomatic a little bit contemptuous

[sayitaliano]

Italian idiomatic expressions

Just heard this from the news (sport) Loved the use of similar words in this sentence so I thought about making a short post about it

"Vedremo se il nostro velocista di punta riuscirà a spuntarla"

-> di punta = top, best, primary (out of a team)

-> riuscire a spuntarla = "being able to make it/to succeed *despite/against difficulties or against odds*" idiomatic expression (spuntare = lit. to check, to trim) Similar to "riuscire a farcela" (more literal translation of "being able to make it"). "Spuntarla" suggests more of a tight battle against others as in a sport competition (implied info since the video was about this sprinter going to compete against others). Maybe "end up being successful" could be a more literal translation?

Translation: "We'll see if our best sprinter will be able to make it"

[pigsongpearls]

Pig Metaphors and Idioms

Pigs and boars are rich in symbolism across cultures, often appearing in idioms and phrases to convey a wide range of meanings—positive and negative. Here’s a global look at expressions and phrases associated with these animals:

English

Sweating like a pig: Refers to sweating heavily, though ironically, pigs don’t sweat much.

Eat like a pig: To eat messily or in excess.

Pigs might fly: Expressing disbelief or skepticism about something unlikely.

Happy as a pig in mud: To be extremely content or comfortable.

Casting pearls before swine: Offering something valuable to someone who doesn’t appreciate it.

The pig is in the parlor An idiom meaning that something is wrong or out of place.

Pig in a poke: Buying something without seeing it first.

Going hog wild: Behaving in a very uncontrolled, enthusiastic way.

Hog the limelight: To take all the attention for oneself.

Make a pig of oneself: To eat greedily or in a messy manner.

Pig out: To eat a large amount of food.

Boar's head: Historically used to refer to a feast or a symbol of plenty, especially at Christmas.

French

C'est du porc!: (It’s pork!) Used to describe something expensive, especially in slang.

Être sale comme un cochon: (To be as dirty as a pig) Refers to extreme untidiness.

Donner de la confiture aux cochons: (To give jam to pigs) Similar to "casting pearls before swine."

Faire le cochon (To do the pig): Behaving badly or greedily.

German

Schwein haben: (To have pig) Means to be lucky.

Fressen wie ein Schwein Eat like a pig or messily,

Eine Sau durchs Dorf treiben: (Drive the sow through the village) Refers to sensationalizing or spreading rumors.

Schweinerei (Pig mess): Something that's messy, scandalous, or just generally bad.

Sich wie ein Schwein benehmen (Behave like a pig): To behave badly.

Dutch

Als een varken eten (Eat like a pig): Eating in a messy or greedy way.

Spanish

Ser un cerdo: (To be a pig) Used for someone messy, rude, or morally questionable.

Sudando como un cerdo: (Sweating like a pig) Similar to the English expression.

Hacer un cochinero: (To make a pigsty) Refers to making a mess.

Comer como un cerdo (Eat like a pig): To eat messily or greedily.

Estar hecho un marrano (To be made a hog): To be very dirty or messy.

Italian

Essere un maiale (To be a pig): Used similarly to the English, often for someone who eats a lot or behaves badly.

Fare la scrofa (To do the sow): To act in a gluttonous manner.

Fare il maiale: (To act like a pig) Refers to someone behaving rudely or inappropriately.

Sudare come un maiale: (To sweat like a pig) Indicates sweating excessively.

Mettere il naso nel trogolo: (Put the nose in the trough) Refers to meddling or indulging too much.

Portuguese (Brazil)

Comer feito porco (Eat like a pig): Similar to the Spanish, indicating eating messily or greedily.

Chinese

猪八戒 (Zhū Bājiè): Refers to the gluttonous and lazy character from Journey to the West, symbolizing indulgence and foolishness.

九牛二虎一只猪 (Jiǔ niú èr hǔ yī zhī zhū): (Nine cows, two tigers, and one pig) Indicates an enormous effort.

猪拱食 (Zhu gong shi): Literally 'pig arching food', meaning to eat greedily.

猪一样的队友 (Zhu yiyang de duiyou): Literally 'teammates like pigs', meaning teammates who are not helpful or perform poorly.

Japanese

豚に真珠 (Buta ni shinjū): (Pearls before pigs) Equivalent to "casting pearls before swine."

豚もおだてりゃ木に登る (Buta mo odaterya ki ni noboru): (Even a pig can climb a tree if flattered) Suggests the power of encouragement or flattery.

豚箱 (Butabako): Slang for jail, literally "pigpen."

ブタのようにおいしい (Buta no you ni oishii): Literally 'delicious like a pig', emphasizing how delicious something is, in a playful or joking manner.

Arabic

"كالخنزير في الوحل" (Kal-khinzīr fī al-waḥl): (Like a pig in mud) Used to describe someone reveling in something unpleasant or inappropriate.

"وجه خنزير" (Wajh khinzir): (Pig-faced) An insult implying ugliness or unpleasantness.

Russian

Грязный как свинья (Gryaznyy kak svin'ya): (Dirty as a pig) Describes someone filthy or untidy.

Поросячий визг (Porosyachiy vizg): (Piglet squeal) Refers to loud, high-pitched noise or childish complaints.

Как свинья в апельсинах (Like a pig in oranges): To be in an unexpectedly good or luxurious situation.

Свинство (Piggery): Behavior that is considered low or unethical.

Hindi/Urdu

"सुअर का बच्चा" (Suar ka bachcha): (Child of a pig) A common insult.

"सुअर की तरह खाना" (Suar ki tarah khana): (To eat like a pig) Refers to messy or greedy eating.

Korean

"돼지같이 먹다" (Dwaeji-gachi meokda): (Eat like a pig) Implies gluttony or messiness.

"돼지 꿈" (Dwaeji kkum): (Pig dream) In Korean culture, dreaming of pigs symbolizes wealth or good fortune.

African Proverbs

"A pig that is used to wallowing in the mud doesn't mind a rainy day": (Various cultures) Highlights the idea of being accustomed to hardship or low standards.

"Even if a pig wears a golden ring, it is still a pig": (West African proverb) Suggests that external adornments cannot change one's nature.

These expressions reflect a wide range of attitudes toward pigs and boars, from their perceived greed, laziness, or uncleanliness to their symbolic association with luck, prosperity, or indulgence.

[idiomland]

"Monkey business" = silly or dishonest behavior. ⠀ Example: Our teacher warned us not to try any monkey business while she was out of the room. ⠀ Example: There's money missing from the office and it's not the first time it's happened. I think there's some monkey business going on. ⠀ Learn idioms in our app - https://onelink.to/zhdnr2

[meddwlyngymraeg]

Idiomatic Expressions

brysio - to hurry, be quick

More fun to use in an interjection, really: "Brysia! Dere nawr!" Hurry up/quick! Come now!

[algerianity]

n Algeria we don’t say “it is none of my business” but we say “تَخْطِي راسِي” and I think it’s beautiful ❤️

[listentoadvance]

Listen to Advance has a strong methodology enabling professionals to learn real spoken English.

[aszek]

Wouldn’t it be funny and also horrifying if the expression changed to be “shitting someone else’s guts out”?

[sunum-teknikleri]

İngilizce Edatlar (Prepositions): İleri Seviye Kullanım ve Deyimler

İngilizce'de edatların (prepositions) ileri düzey kullanımlarını, özellikle fiillerle ve deyimsel ifadelerle oluşturdukları anlamları keşfedin. Akıcılığınızı artırmak için phrasal verb'ler ve edat içeren deyimlerde ustalaşın. https://www.fullofenglish.com/ingilizce-dilbilgisi/ingilizce-edatlar-prepositions-ileri-seviye-kullanim-ve-deyimler/

[theenglishnook]

British and American English differ in dialects, idioms, and intonation. From Cockney slang to Southern drawls, language evolves through media while preserving cultural identity, enriching communication worldwide.

[auressea]

misquotes and misused idioms are fuel for the spin doctors and fakers. you only THINK you understand what they're saying.

[spanishskulduggery]

Daily Spanish Vocabulary

ser = to be (description/permanent things/identification) el ser = a being un ser viviente = a living being los seres queridos = "loved ones" [lit. "dear beings" or "cherished beings"]

cundir = to spread [the more common words are difundir or propagar but this verb is special - by far the most common use of this is cundir el pánico which is "for panic to spread" - you're almost always going to see this as que no cunda el pánico "don't panic" which is "don't spread panic" in a subjunctive sense........ you will also see the humorous que no panda el cúnico which is from a sketch show but it caught on; the joke is the guy is panicking so much that he mixes up the words, so sarcastically you can say que no panda el cúnico like "alright nobody panic!"]

la contabilidad = accounting, bookkeeping/financial records el/la contable = accountant [almost always used in finances; related directly to contar "to count" or la cuenta "account"]

el hueco = (empty) slot, an opening / a gap / elevator shaft / a hollow hueco/a = hollow

la nariz = nose

el hocico = snout (of an animal; or a sarcastic/mean way of saying la nariz "nose" for a person)

la máquina = machine

el codo = elbow [also another word for the end piece of bread in some countries - there are a handful of these words] codo a codo = "shoulder to shoulder", "side by side" [lit. "elbow to elbow"]

el codazo = a nudge (with the elbow), a strike with the elbow, "an elbow (blow)"

la mancha = stain

sonar = to sound, to make a sound / to ring (phones) / to seem, to sound like sonar(le) = "to ring a bell" [me suena for example can be "it's familiar to me" or "it rings a bell"]

difundir = to spread, "to spread the word" difundir(se) = (for gas) to diffuse

untar = to spread (food) / to slather / to smear (something onto something) [untar is the word used for food - this is the word for spreading butter, jam, jelly, cream cheese, etc onto something, and it usually gets used with something food-related...... or oil, grease, mud or something slick]

según = according to [used like según mi amigo "according to my friend" or según mi abuela "according to my grandmother", or según el libro "according to the book" - very handy to know]

la manzana = apple [or in some contexts means "city block"] el manzano = apple tree el manzanar = apple orchard

el truco = trick, ruse

invertir = to invest / to invert, to reverse, to turn upside down / inside out

la inversión = investment / inversion, reversal

la vaca = cow

el vaquero, la vaquera = cowboy, cowgirl / cowherder los vaqueros = "jeans" [in Spain; because cowboy pants were denim]

el juzgado = courtroom, tribunal [from juzgar " to judge" - you might know this word from cowboy lingo, it's "hoosegow" which is a transliteration of juzgado from people in the southwest of the US near the Mexican border; it meant something like "jail" or "police station" - same general idea of a place where the Law is]

la cárcel = jail

encarcelar = to jail, to incarcerat

la magia = magic

el hechizo (mágico) = (magic) spell

el hechicero, la hechicera = sorcerer

la hechicería = sorcery

el brujo, la bruja = "warlock" [male], "witch" [female] [brujo/a is also the term for "warlock" in DND settings while mago/a is "wizard" and hechicero/a is "sorcerer" - fitting because brujos/brujas were said to make pacts with the devil]

la brujería = witchcraft

el sortilegio = magic, spells/spellcraft [a fancier term for hechizo]

el bosque = woods / forest

la selva = forest / jungle [la selva is also used for la jungla "jungle", but in general you can usually use el bosque or la selva for a regular forest interchangeably... but la selva gets used for terms like la Selva Amazónica "Amazon Rainforest"]

el avestruz = ostrich

el/la atleta = athlete [always atleta with the A]

(la) prisa = hurry, haste, rush dar prisa = to hurry, to rush con prisa = "hastily", rushing a toda prisa = "as fast as (someone) can", "with all haste"

el conejo = rabbit, bunny la liebre = hare (large rabbit)

la cobaya / el conejillo de Indias = guinea pig [used exactly like English; both the animal and "test subject" meaning... la cobaya is the shorter one so it is sometimes preferred, el conejillo de Indias means "the little rabbit from the Indies"; you'll also see el cuy in some countries - it's from Quechua so you can assume South America, primarily Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador etc.]

el vendaval = strong wind, gale

la borrasca = squall / wind and rainstorm

el ladrón, la ladrona = thief, burglar

el caco = thief, burglar [the standard word is ladrón or ladrona - el caco is a reference to Greek mythology, Cacus stole cattle from Hercules in Hercules's labors, so now calling someone a caco is calling them a thief]

cuanto antes = as soon as possible lo antes posible = as soon as possible

de antemano = beforehand

veloz = fast, swift

mordaz = sharp-tongued, cutting, biting, scathing [lit - from morder "to bite", said of remarks or criticisms etc]

feroz = ferocious

el polvo = dust

el moho = mold

borroso/a = blurry / smudged (writing) / fuzzy (memory) [or un recuerdo borroso is "a hazy memory / vague recollection (of something)" - it's the same idea, of vague or indistinct, but English says "fuzzy" for memories - the general word for "fuzzy" like texture is peludo/a or velloso/a which are related to fur/fuzz]

la estrella = star la estrella fugaz = shooting star

la ceniza = ash

la ira = wrath, rage, anger

el cambio = a change a cambio (de) = in exchange for, in return for

el trueno = thunder

el rayo = bolt of lightning

los escombros = debris, wreckage [often used in plural, but el escombro does exist]

el estrago, los estragos = "chaos", "havoc", devastation causar / hacer estragos = to wreak havoc, to ravage, to run amok [usually hacer estragos but causar is fine too]

la torre = tower

el daltonismo = color blindness daltónico/a = colorblind

el imperio = empire el imperio otomano = Ottoman Empire el imperio Inca / el imperio incaíco = Inca Empire el imperio español = Spanish Empire el Sacro Imperio Romano = Holy Roman Empire

la somnambulancia = sleepwalking

somnoliento/a = drowsy [somnoliento/a can be "sleepy" but it usually implies a sleep-inducing effect, so you normally see somnoliento used in the context of medicine or alcohol, things that "cause drowsiness" so it's not the same as being cansado/a "tired"]

el somnífero = sleeping pill, a sleep inducing drug [somnífero/a as an adjective means "sleep-inducing" or "soporific", from somn- related to "sleep" and "dreams", and the suffix is like "causing" or "carrying"]

fuerte = strong / loud (music) ["loud" is the one that will throw you off - más fuerte can be "stronger" or "louder", so la música fuerte means "loud music"]

la carnicería = butcher's shop / carnage [just like the root of "carnage", carnicero/a or "butcher" comes from la carne "meat" - a carnicería is a place where "meat is sold", but also means "carnage" or "bloodshed"]

matricular(se) = to sign up, to enroll, to register (school, vehicles, etc.)

la beca = scholarship, grant

el pelo = hair [all hair]

el cabello = hair [specifically for the head]

el moco = snot, booger no ser moco de pavo = "nothing to sneeze at", "no mean feat" [more common in Spain as far as I know, here el moco de pavo refers to a turkey "wattle" or "snood" - that red part of the turkey, in Spanish they call it moco which is "snot" so it makes more sense in Spanish imo]

mocoso/a = snotty el mocoso, la mocosa = "brat" [something you'd call a little kid, "brat" or "snot-nosed brat" etc.]

ciego/a = blind

sordo/a = deaf

mudo/a = mute, quiet

la ola = wave [water-related or something with more physical motion] la ola de calor = heatwave el oleaje = surf, a swell, the motion of waves

la onda = wave [radiation, soundwaves, "vibes" etc. - think el microondas which is "the microwave"]

la hormiga = ant el hormiguero = anthill

el hormigueo = "pins and needles", "tingling sensation" [el hormigueo is sometimes understood as "prickly sensation" but it's like what we'd call "pins and needles" - as you can see by this list, it's related to la hormiga "ant"; the best way to explain it is that this feeling is likened to having ants crawling on you]

sencillo/a = simple, easy

crujiente = crunchy

la canícula = midsummer heat, the hottest days of summer [lit. canícula refers to the star Canis Major or the star Sirius - the "dog star", and this is related to "canine"... the star is the most visible during the hottest months in Europe, so la canícula came to mean "the hottest days when the star Sirius appears" - it does mean "the dog days of summer" in English for the same reason; some countries use la canícula as "drought" related to heat or a dry season]

la sequía = drought

la estación = season (of the year) / station (as in a train station or police station etc.)

la temporada = time period / season / "season (for a TV show)"

la estación de lluvias = rainy season la temporada de lluvias = rainy season

tragar = to swallow / "to eat fast", "to inhale food"

tragón, tragona = "big eater", "glutton"

el enjambre = swarm (of insects)

el muérdago = mistletoe

a sabiendas = "knowing full well", "knowingly"

esconder = to hide

a escondidas = "secretly", "in secret" escuchar a escondidas = "to eavesdrop" [lit. "to listen secretly" or "to listen in secretly"]

la misericordia = mercy

la fe = faith

el escudo = shield

fallecer(se) = to pass away [a more polite way to say morir "to die"]

fallecido/a = deceased

nonato/a = unborn [sometimes also the term used for someone born by Cesarean/C-section]

muerto/a = dead estar muerto/a = to be dead

vivo/a = alive estar vivo/a = to be alive

(el) muerto viviente, (los) muertos vivientes = (the) undead

ejemplar = exemplary el ejemplar = a prototype, the original el ejemplar = copy of a book

el bigote = mustache / whiskers (like on a cat)

la calabaza = pumpkin el calabacín = zucchini, courgette / squash, gourd [lit. "little pumpkin", so any kind of gourd is calabacín ... other regional variations include la calabacita which is another diminutive, and in some countries the word is el zapallo or el zapallito... same words, "pumpkin" and "gourd" - just that zapallo comes from Quechua, so it's more commonly used in South America than anywhere else]

el calabozo = "cells", holding cells / dungeon [a place where prisoners are kept and guarded - the other word for a "dungeon" usually in the fantasy sense is la mazmorra... basically, el calabozo is a place you'd find in a police station, and la mazmorra is now what you'd use for fantasy, castles, or dungeons in video games]

el lunar = birthmark (tela) a lunares = polkadot, spotted [lit. "(fabric) with dots"... related to luna "moon" as you'd expect, but a lunares is a typical pattern or design to see for clothes and accessories]

la tierra = dirt, earth, soil la Tierra = Earth (the planet)

al revés = upside down [lit. "to the reverse", but used literally and euphemistically the way English uses "upside down"... meaning you could literally turn something upside down, or it could mean "everything's crazy now" or "topsy turvy"]

la semilla = seed

el hoyuelo = dimple [diminutive of el hoyo "hole"]

la coraza = breastplate, cuirass / "shielding"

el acorazado = dreadnought [warship] acorazado/a = covered in armor la cámara acorazada = vault [lit. "armored chamber/vault" - this is something like a bank vault, but it can also be "safe" like caja fuerte, though to me cámara implies a larger room or "vault" rather than caja fuerte which means "strong box"]

el/la cambiaformas = shapeshifter [lit. "changes-form"]

la amapola = poppy

el grano = a grain (of something) / pimple (ir) al grano = "(to get) to the point", "to cut to the chase"

el barro / el fango / el lodo = mud [all three words are okay to use - they can also mean "slime" or "sludge", the idea is something that is basically dirt and water, or a goopy mixture of something]

don nadie / doña nadie = "a nobody", no one of importance [literally "Sir/Mr. Nobody" and "Lady/Mrs. Nobody" - don/doña used to be a more polite term of address for someone of noble blood; today it's like "sir" or "ma'am" when you have in front of someone's name.... but for the purposes of this don/doña nadie is a sarcastic way of calling someone a nobody or saying they're completely unremarkable, or to say someone is unknown]

[robertbrancatelli]

Macy's Window & Public Penance

I remember a certain prepositional phrase growing up in New York that was used as a catch-all to poke fun at patently absurd attempts by people to be discrete. It was meant to point out the insincerity of those attempts as well as their inappropriateness in public settings. Hopefully, it would also make the perpetrator think twice. Here’s an example. “You’re going to dump Trevor in the middle of…

[idiomland]

The lion's share is the biggest part of something. ⠀ Example: My sister grabbed the lion's share of the pizza. ⠀ Example: The lion's share of the government's budget goes to the military. ⠀ Learn idioms in our app - https://onelink.to/zhdnr2

[meddwlyngymraeg]

Idiomatic Expressions

Hyn a hyn -> now and then

“Pob hyn a hyn, dwi'n meddwl amdani hi.” Every now and then, I think about her.

[lowreyglobalconsultants]

Use that idiom properly

So you just learned a new idiomatic expression and you know that the best way to remember is to try to use it. You have to tread carefully and make sure it comes out sounding naturally. While most people will forgive you for making a mistake, you run the risk of forever using it incorrectly after that.

For instance Jun picked up the phrase, " a fish out of water", which means to feel out of place in a setting. It is usually used when talking about a human's feelings but he accidentally used it talking about an object that was out of place in the office. "That clock next to the door is like a fish out of water," he says. His colleagues know that he is trying, so no one corrects him and just nod awkwardly. After that he continues to use it in the same context to the point that it becomes habitual and it is tough to stop once he becomes aware of the situation.

So how to avoid it? Here are some ideas;

Listen actively, try to catch how other people use the expression

Google the new phrase, maybe you will find a video using it.

Ask a teacher or strong English speaker

Read! It's a great way to feed not only new vocabulary but also ideas of how to use words and phrases.

And, on the other side, if you are a bit higher level than your friend or coworker, it doesn't hurt to correct them.

Don't let this post make you feel anxious about using the new expression, you have to make mistakes to learn. Just take the time to research it and always communicate with open ears and an open mind.