Las 200 expresiones más usadas en inglés

Actualizado el 09/03/2020 corrigiendo algunos errores gracias a la ayuda de Step Up Your English!

Las-200-expresiones-más-usadas-en-inglés

En las últimas semanas, he estado recopilando unas cuantas expresiones (o modismos) que suelen utilizarse en inglés (sobre todo en el inglés británico), y al llegar al número mágico de 200 expresiones, creo que es hora de hacer un pequeño parón y compartir con todos vosotros el significado de cada una de ellas (incluso hay pequeñas variantes en algunas). Ha costado juntar todo, pero merece la pena, y si sois amantes de los memes, os encantará :)

 

A dead ringer for someone – Una persona que se parece mucho (en apariencia) a alguien (normalmente, una persona famosa o un amigo/familiar que conoces).

If he was a little bit taller, he’d be a dead ringer for Barack Obama.

A-dead-ringer-for-someone

 

A pain in the neck – Una persona o algo que te produce irritación o te molesta. También son posibles las expresiones “A pain in the ass/arse” o “A pain in the butt”, pero son consideradas más molestas e informales. Mejor usar esas dos para gente con confianza.

That child is a real pain in the neck.

A-pain-in-the-neck

 

Act your age – Una persona que está siendo inmadura o infantil y no está comportándose acorde a su edad.

Stop being silly and act your age!

Act-your-age

All-nighter – Algo que dura toda la noche (o una sesión de estudios, una fiesta, un festival, etc…).

Have you ever pulled an all-nighter?

All-nighter

 

As white as a sheet – Esta expresión se utiliza para describir a alguien que está pálido debido a una enfermedad o porque ha tenido una mala experiencia.

He appeared in the doorway, white as a sheet, eyes wide with horror.

As-white-as-a-sheet

 

At the end of your rope – Llegar al límite de tu paciencia. También es posible usar la expresión “at the end of your tether”.

I’m at the end of my rope with these kids!

At-the-end-of-your-rope

 

Barking up the wrong tree – Expresión utilizada para cuando vas a hacer algo de una manera que no va a funcionar. En español solemos decir “mear fuera del tiesto“.

Scientists in Switzerland realised that most other researchers had been barking up the wrong tree.

Barking-up-the-wrong-tree

 

 

Basket case – Caso perdido (una persona, una organización, un gobierno, etc…). También es muy famosa la canción con el mismo nombre de Green Day.

The country is an economic basket case with chronic unemployment and rampant crime.

Basket-case

 

Black out – Desmayarse. También se usa para decir que ha habido un apagón.

The head injury during the car accident caused him to black out.

Black-out

 

Bookworm – Ratón de biblioteca. Alguien que ama los libros.

He turned into a bookworm as soon as he could read.

bookworm

 

Break down – Romper/echarse a llorar.

Andrew broke down and cried when she heard the sad news.

Break-down

 

Brush up on something – Repasar algo (normalmente algún conocimiento que no recuerdas).

I’m trying to brush up on my italian before I go to Italy.

brush-up-on
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Burn your bridges/boats – Romper del todo con algo. Quemar las naves.

Your company values your expertise. If you hand in your notice now, you will burn your bridges behind you and they will never employ you should you need a job in the future.

Burn-your-bridges

 

Bury the hatchet – Dejar de pelear. Enterrar el hacha de guerra.

Let’s bury the hatchet and be friends.

Bury-the-hatchet

 

Bury/have the head in the sand – Esconder la cabeza.

You’ve got to face the facts here – you can’t just bury the head in the sand.

bury-the-head-in-the-sand

 

Cat got your tongue – La clasíca expresión que nos referimos cuando decimos, ¿te ha comido la lengua el gato? Es decir, cuando alguien no va a responder a lo que le estés preguntando.

What’s the matter? Has the cat got your tongue?

Cat-got-your-tongue

 

Chicken out – Ser un gallina, acobardarse, cagarse por la pata abajo.

I was going bungee jumping, but I chickened out.

Chicken-out

 

 

Clown around – Hacer el payaso, payasadas.

Just because we clown around outside the classroom, it doesn’t mean we can do so when we are in class.

Clown-around

 

Cold feet – Echarse atrás por miedo.

I was going to apply for the job, but I got cold feet.

cold-feet

 

Come at a Price – Todo tiene su precio. Es decir, algo que tiene su precio (y puede que no lo supieras con anterioridad).

Rock stars discover that fame and fortune come at a price.

Come-at-a-Price

 

Come clean – Confesar, sincerarse. Decir la verdad de un tema que habías mentido con anterioridad.

Eventually he came clean and admitted his responsibility for the mistake.

Come-clean

 

Down to earth – Bajar a tierra. Normalmente, esta expresión se utiliza cuando alguien después de estar un tiempo “pasándoselo bien” sin importar las consecuencias, tiene que tratar con las con los problemas de la vida real. También se utiliza alguien vuelve en sí (después de un desmayo).

I very much wanted to go on holiday, but the fact that my bank account was in red soon brought me down to earth with a bump.

Come-down-to-earth

 

Come in Handy – Ser útil, venir bien a alguien.

That key will come in handy if you lock yourself out.

Come-in-Handy

 

Come rain or shine – Ven, pase lo que pase.

I’ll see you on Thursday, come rain or shine.

Come-rain-or-shine

 

Cool someone’s heels – Quedarse esperando a que pase algo.

I spent an hour cooling my heels in the waiting room while the doctor saw other patients.

 

 

Copycat – Imitador, imitación, copión.

You can get affordable copycat versions of expensive perfumes from the local market.

copycat

 

 

Cost an arm and leg – Costar un ojo de la cara.

The car repair cost me an arm and a leg.

Cost-an-arm-and-leg

 

Creep by – Pasar el tiempo muy lento.

The minutes seemed to be creeping by.

 

 

Cut it out – ¡Para lo que estés haciendo!

Cut it out, you two. I’m tired of listening to you argue!

Cut-it-out

 

Cut the comedy! – ¡Dejaros las tonterías/bromas!

Boys! Cut the comedy and focus on these math problems!

 

 

Cut/make a deal – Hacer un trato.

If You want to cut a deal with him you need to offer him something interesting.

Cut-make-a-deal

 

Dog days – Los días más calurosos del verano. Canícula.

We’re well into the dog days of summer.

Dog-days

 

Drag someones feet – Hacerse el remolón. También es posible el uso de la expresión “drag your heels”.

If you’d stop dragging your feet, you could finish your homework.

Drag-someones-feet

 

Drop off – Quedarse dormido, dar una cabezada. Y también “dejar algo o alguien en su destino“.

I dropped off in the cinema while watching the movie.

Drop-off

 

Eager Beaver – Una persona que trabaja muy duro/muy motivado.

My nephew is an eager beaver when it comes to learning English idioms.

Eager-Beaver

 

 

Eat like a horse – Comer siempre en muchas cantidades.

He’s so thin, yet he eats like a horse.

Eat-like-a-horse

 

Eat your words – Comerte tus palabras.

I’ll make her eat her words!

Eat-your-words

 

Eye-catching – Llamativo.

That shirt’s a very eye-catching colour.

eye-catching

 

Fall behind – Quedarse atrás (ya sea respecto a tus compañeros de clase, haciendo un trabajo, o no pagar una deuda a tiempo).

I’ve fallen behind on the mortgage payments.

fallen-behind

 

Feel/Look like a million dollars (bucks) – Es una expresión que se utiliza para indicar que alguien se siente extremadamente bien debido a que lleva puesto algo que cuesta mucho dinero.

You look like a million dollars in that dress, honey!

Feel-like-a-million-dollars

 

Feel under the weather – Expresión utilizada para referirte a que te estás poniendo enfermo (o cogiendo un resfriado).

I’m feeling a bit under the weatherI think I am coming down with a cold.

Under-the-weather

 

Fender-bender – Se usa esta expresión al describir una colisión de automóviles pero sin graves problemas, en el que ha habido roces entre los coches más que golpes de graves consecuencias.

It was only a fender bender but the damage was still expensive to repair.

Fender-bender

 

Fill someone’s shoes – Hacer el trabajo o las responsabilidades de alguien.

Albert is retiring and we need a new director to fill his shoes.

Fill-someone’s-shoes

 

Find someone’s feet – Acostumbrarse a una nueva situación.

She found the new job difficult at first, but she soon found her feet.

 

 

For my money – Pienso que, a mi modo de ver

For my money, Sunday is the best day to travel because the roads are quiet.

 

 

Frog in throat – Cuando tienes problemas al hablar debido a que tu garganta está seca. Tener carraspera.

I had a frog in my throat, and had to clear it several times before I found my voice or my tongue.

frog-in-my-throat

 

 

From A to Z – De cabo a rabo, de pe a pa, de la a a la z.

This book will tell you everything you need to know about hacking from A to Z.

From-A-to-z

 

Have butterflies (in your stomach/tummy) – Sentir un cosquilleo en el estómago. La clásica expresión de “sentir mariposas en el estómago”.

She had butterflies in her stomach as she came on stage.

have-buterflies

 

Get carried away – Dejarse llevar por la emoción

She gets carried away at Christmas and spends a fortune on presents for everybody.

Get-carried-away

 

Get in someone’s hair – Irritar/fastidiar a alguien constantemente.

My flatmate has been getting in my hair a lot recently.

Get-in-someones-hair

 

Get to the point – Ir al grano, ir directo al asunto. También se puede utilizar la expresión “cut to the chase”.

Get to the point! We haven’t got all day, you know.

Get-to-the-point

 

Give someone a cold shoulder – Hacerle el vacío a alguien, ignorar.

Give-someone-a-cold-shoulder

 

Go Bananas – Volverse loco, perder la cabeza.

He’ll go bananas when you tell him the news.

Go-Bananas

 

Go dutch – Pagar a medias, ir a pachas.

We went Dutch on the meal we had in the new restaurant.

Go-dutch

 

Go to bat for someone – Alzar la voz en defensa de alguien.

Senators will go to bat for companies that pay lots of taxes.

Go-to-bat-for-someone

Green with envy – Verde de envidia.

When I heard about his new job I was green with envy.

Green-with-envy

 

Hands off! – Las manos quietas, se mira pero no se toca.

The carrot cake is mine. Hands off!

Hands-off

 

Have a craving for something – Tener un antojo

She had a craving for vanilla ice cream.

Have-a-craving-for-something

 

Have too much on one’s plate – Tener mucho trabajo que hacer o muchos problemas con los que tratar.

I’m sorry, I just have too much on my plate right now.

Have-too-much-on-ones-plate

 

Have egg on someone’s face – Haber hecho algo estúpido o algo embarazoso (normalmente, se refiere a un ente público o un gobierno).

The Pentagon’s been left with egg on its face.

Have-egg-on-someones-face

 

Heart in the right place – Alguien que solamente tiene buenas intenciones.

He may be is very strict with his students, but his heart is in the right place.

Heart-in-the-right-place

 

Hit and miss – Aleatorio, impredicible, al azar, fortuito.

The weather has been hit and miss for November – rain one day, sunshine the next.

Hit-and-miss

 

Hit below the belt – Dar un golpe bajo.

My wife has just passed away and now you’re saying I am being fired. That’s really hitting me below the belt!

Hit-below-the-belt

 

Hit the nail on the head – Dar en el clavo.

She hit the nail on the head when she said that the government’s main priority should be to deal with youth unemployment.

Hit-the-nail-on-the-head

 

Home sweet Home – Hogar, dulce hogar.

Home sweet home! After two months in Japan, it sure is great to be back.

Home-sweet-Home

 

Homie/homeboy– Colega del barrio, compi, cuate.

My homie and I would like to come along with you.

Homie

 

Hop in – Subirse, montarse.

We’re going to the beach. If you want to come, just hop in.

Hop-in

 

How dare you! – ¡Cómo te atreves!

How dare you use my car without asking!

How-dare-you

 

Hush money – Sobornar con dinero. Untar de dinero a alguien.

I had to give my sister hush money to stop her from telling on me to my mother.

Hush-money

 

Hush-Hush – Hacer algo en secreto, de manera confidencial.

The matter is so hush-hush I can’t talk about it over the phone.

 

 

I got your six – Cubrir las espaldas (a alguien). También se puede utilizar la expresión “I´ve got your back”.

Watch out, dude. There’s a creep comin’ up behind you but I got your six.

I-got-your-six

 

I wasn’t born yesterday! – No nací ayer, No me acabo de caer del nido.

You don’t fool me – I wasn’t born yesterday!

I-wasnt-born-yesterday

 

If I get my hands on you – Estar muy enfadado (y amenazar a alguien)

Oh, once I get my hands on you, you’ll take back what you said!

If-I-get-my-hands-on-you

 

I’ll eat my hat – Expresión antigua que se dice cuando estás seguro de algo que no va a suceder.

I’ll eat my hat if she eventually marries him.

Ill-eat-my-hat

 

In broad daylight – A plena luz del día, en pleno día.

They were stealing cars in broad daylight.

In-broad-daylight

 

In a jiffy – En un abrir y cerrar de ojos, en un periquete, en un santiamén.

Just wait a minute. I’ll be there in a jiffy.

In-a-jiffy

 

In so many words – Ser muy claro respecto a algo, ser directo. Inequívocamente

I told her, in so many words, to stop interfering.

In-so-many-words

 

In the mood for something – Decimos esto cuando te apetece, tienes ganas de hacer algo o estar de buen humor. Y si es al contrario, decimos “not in the mood”

We could go out to eat, if you’re in the mood.

In-the-mood-for-something

 

In your dreams! – ¡Ni en tus sueños! La clásica expresión de toda la vida :)

Ariana Grande in love with you? In your dreams!

In-your-dreams

 

It’s beneath your dignity – Cuando tienes que hacer algo que está por debajo de tu dignidad.

He felt cleaning the bathroom was beneath his dignity.

beneath-his-dignity

 

Jokes apart/aside – Bromas aparte.

No, but joking apart, do you think we should go and see if she’s ok?

Joking-apart

 

Jump down someone’s throat – Tirarle alguien al cuello. Es decir, reaccionar de una manera furiosa ante lo que dice o hace alguien.

Whoa, don’t jump down my throat—I’m just the messenger here. Talk to the boss if you’re unhappy with this decision.

dont-jump-down-my-throat

 

Jump ship – Abandonar el barco, cambiar de opinión

After all, you don’t want a key player to jump ship for a more lucrative position elsewhere.

Jump-ship

 

 

Just my luck – Es una expresión que se utiliza para decir que mala suerte tienes o la más clásica ¡qué suerte la mía!

All the tickets had been sold when I got there just my luck!

Just-my-luck

 

Keep someone’s  word – Cumplir su palabra.

He kept his word and provided us with everything we needed.

 

Kick someone’s out – Echar o expulsar a alguien.

I was kicked out of class for refusing to turn off my smartphone.

Kick-someones-out

 

Kick up your heels – Pasarselo bien, divertirse.

After final exams we kicked up our heels and had a really good party.

Kick-up-your-heels

 

Knock on wood – Tocar madera, o también la expresión “rómpete una pierna”.

The deal will be agreed on Wednesday, knock on wood.

Knock-on-wood

 

 

Know-all / Know-it-all – Sabelotodo.

That kid who got 100 percent in science and math is such a know it all!

Know-it-all

 

 

Lay an egg – Poner un huevo o también sirve para describir una situación en la que has fracasado totalmente.

The cast laid an egg in both performances.

laid-an-egg

 

Leave it to someone – Darle la responsabilidad a alguien. Delegar.

Leave the paperwork to me – I’ll sort it out tomorrow.

Leave-it-to-someone

 

Look down on someone – Menospreciar a alguien. Mirar por encima del hombro.

It is wrong to look down on people who are less fortunate than you.

look-down

 

Lose face – Quedar mal, perder el respeto.

He’ll lose face if he doesn’t keep his promise.

Lose-face

 

Make a boo-boo – Metedura de pata.

It’s only a small boo-boo. Don’t stress yourself.

 

Make a fuss – Montar un escándalo.

He made a big fuss because I was five minutes late.

Make-a-fuss

 

Make ends meet – Llegar a fin de mes.

I’ve taken a second job in the evenings just to make ends meet.

Make-ends-meet

 

Make up story – Inventarse algo.

He made up the whole story.

Make-up-story

 

Make up for someone or something – Compensar.

Next week we’ll try to make up for lost time.

 

 

Mistake someone for someone – Confundir a alguien con alguien.

People sometimes mistake him for a girl.

 

Mouse potato – Rata de ordenador, pero es más plausible el uso del término “geek” o friki (aunque en verdad friki significa otra cosa, pero ya sabéis :P). Alguien que está todo el día delante del ordenador (y no por trabajo).

Since I bought myself a new computer, I have turned into a regular mouse potato.

 

My lips are sealed – Mis labios están sellados.

Please, don’t tell him you saw me here.” “Don’t worry. My lips are sealed.”

My-lips-are-sealed

 

Never say die – No rendirse jamás/nunca, no tirar la toalla.

Come on boys, you can still win this game! Never say die!

Never-say-die

 

No offense – Sin ánimo de ofender. O también las expresiones “no te lo tomes a mal” o “no es por ofenderte”.

No offense, but that hat doesn’t suit you at all.

No-offense

 

No-brainer – Pan comido. Que es fácil de decidir o hacer.

The final exam in English was very easy, a real no-brainer.

No-brainer

 

Not be cut out for something – No ser la persona adecuada para algo. No estar hecho para algo.

I’m not cut out for an office job.

Not-be-cut-out-for-something

 

Not in a good mood – No estar de buen humor.

I’m not in a good mood today.

Not-in-a-good-mood

 

Not on the same wavelength – Estar en la misma onda. También es posible el uso de la expresión “be on the same page”.

What makes the problem worse is that they are not on the same wavelength about how to deal with it.

Not-in-the-same-wavelength

 

Not lift a finger – No mover un dedo.

He never lifts a finger to help with the housework.

Not-lift-a-finger

 

Not be on speaking terms – No hablarse.

After that argument last night, I’m not on speaking terms with him.

Not-be-on-speaking-term

 

Nothing between the ears – No tener nada en la cabeza, ser un cabeza hueca, tener serrín en la cabeza

He’s a nice boy, but he’s got nothing between the ears!

Nothing-between-the-ears

 

Off-color jokes/humor – Bromas políticamente incorrectas.

He denies making off-color remarks about women.

Off-color-jokes

 

At the eleventh hour – En el último momento.

The child was rescued from the kidnappers at the eleventh hour.

At-the-eleventh-hour

 

Be on the tip of your tongue – En la punta de la lengua.

Her name is on the tip of my tongue.

tip-of-my-tongue

 

Out of the blue – De improviso, como caído del cielo.

He arrived out of the blue, without calling first.

Out-of-the-blue

 

Over someone’s head – Cuando alguien hace algo sin permiso de una persona con mayor autoridad. También se utiliza esta expresión cuando le haces un comentario y el receptor no lo entiende.

Irene was refusing to give me the week off so I went over her head and spoke to the boss.

Over-someones-head

 

Overstep the mark/line – Pasarse de la raya. También es posible uso de la expresión “go over the line”.

The officer overstepped the mark of his authority when he arrested the mayor.

overstepped-the-mark

Own up – Admitir o reconocer que has hecho algo mal. Cagarla.

My brother broke my mom’s favorite lamp and refused to own up to it.

Own-up

 

Pangs of conscience – Tener remordimientos de conciencia.

For the first time in my life, I felt a pang of conscience about my behaviour.

Pangs-of-conscience

 

Pass away – Fallecer, pasar a mejor vida, cascarla.

I was so sad when my dog passed away.

Pass-away

 

Peanut (money) – Es una expresión muy utilizada a la hora de decir que alguien está trabajando por “cuatro duros”.

I am not going to work for peanuts. if you pay peanuts you get monkeys.

peanuts

 

Pig out – Comer como un cerdo.

We pigged out on all the delicious cakes and pastries.

Pig-out

 

Pipe down – Mandar a callar a alguien.

Will you please pipe down, you two? I’m trying to read!

Pipe-down

 

Play the innocent – Hacerse el tonto.

Don’t play the innocent with me. You know what I’m talking about.

Play-the-innocent

 

Pull someone’s leg – Tomar el pelo a alguien.

Is it really your car or are you pulling my leg?

pulling-my-leg

 

Put/set your mind to something – Si te lo propones (puedes conseguirlo).

If you just put your mind to it, I am sure you can do it.

set-your-mind-to-something

 

Save/keep for a rainy day – Ahorrar para los tiempos difíciles.

I’ve been saving some money for a rainy day.

Save-for-a-rainy-day

 

Red herring – Pista falsa, una maniobra de distracción.

Agatha Christie used red herrings in her books to keep readers guessing.

red-herrings

 

Rise and shine – ¡Arriba! ¡Levántate! Expresión que se utiliza para decirle a alguien que se despierte.

Rise and shine! It’s seven o’clock and you have to get ready for school.

Rise-and-shine

 

Road hog – Un conductor peligroso o que no se da cuenta de que puede poner en peligro a los demás.

Many morning commuters became frustrated at the road hog straddling two lanes.

 

 

Run into – Toparse/encontrarse/tropezarse con alguien. O chocarse contra algo.

I ran into my sister yesterday at the market yesterday.

Run-into

 

Runny nose – Moquear, tener mocos.

I have a runny nose so I think I should see the doctor tomorrow.

Runny-nose

 

Save someone’s neck/bacon – Salvarle el culo a alguien.

Peter saved my neck by lending me some money for the train ticket.

saved-my-neck

 

Scare/frighten someone to death – Dar un susto de muerte.

She scared me to death when she screamed.

scared-me-to-death

 

Sell someone short – Subestimar a alguien.

It’s a mistake to sell your audience short.

Sell-someone-short

 

Shake a leg – Darse prisa, apurarse, mover el culo.

Come on baby, shake a leg or we’ll never be ready in time.

 

Shake-a-leg

 

 

Shoot yourself in the foot – Dispararse en el pie, salirle el tiro por la culata, escupir hacia arriba, hacer más mal que bien.

I think we shot ourselves in the foot by firing her, as she knew the project better than anyone else.

Shoot-yourself-in-the-foot

 

Sing like a bird – Chivato o que canta como un ángel.

It’s nice to know somebody who can sing like a bird.

 

Slip someone’s mind – Olvidarse de algo a alguien.

I was planning to go to the supermarket, but it slipped my mind.

 

Soak up – absorber

Children pay attention to more than we realize, soaking up everything around them.

Soak-up

 

Something sucks – Algo que es una mierda, aburrido.

Doing this job for free sucks.

Something-sucks

 

Stand someone up – Defender algo o a alguien.

We should all stand up for our rights.

Stand-someone-up

 

Step on it – Darse prisa.

Could you step on it? I’m late.

Step-on-it

 

 

Take/have time off – Tomar un tiempo de descanso.

I asked my boss if I could have some time off to go to the dentist.

have-some-time-off

 

Take your time – Sin prisas, tómate tu tiempo.

Take you time to finish the Project. There’s no rush.

Take-your-time

 

Ta-ta – Hasta luego, adiós.

Ta-ta. Goodnight.

Ta-ta

 

Teeny-weeny – Chiquitito, pequeñito.

Just a teeny-weeny slice of cake for me, please.

teeny-weeny

 

News to someone – Darle la noticia a alguien.

She’s expecting a baby? That’s news to me.

News-to-someone

That’s no excuse – No es excusa

That’s no excuse for not trying to go to the gym from time to time.

That’s-no-excuse

 

The damage is done – El daño está hecho.

I didn’t even know I’d offended her until Colin told me and then it was too late – the damage was done.

The-damage-is-done

 

Throw someone’s money around – Gastar dinero sin necesidad.

He lost his job, but still seems to have plenty of money to throw around.

Throw-someones-money-around

 

Tie the knot – Casarse, dar el sí.

When is your sister going to tie the knot?

 

 

Tighten someone’s belt – Ajustarse el cinturón.

I’ve had to tighten my belt since I stopped working full-time.

Tighten-someones-belt

 

Time flies – El tiempo vuela, cómo vuela el tiempo.

Time flies when you’re having fun.

Time-flies

 

A call of nature – La llamada de la naturaleza. Hacer tus necesidades.

I’m sorry to say this in the middle of this meeting but I have to answer a call of nature.

A-call-of-nature

 

To be an old hand – Un profesional muy experimentado. Un perro viejo.

Listen to your father when it comes to the family business; he’s an old hand.

 

 

To be off your food – Desganado. No querer comer porque te sientes mal o estás enfermo.

She’s off her food, She is not sleeping properly and she can’t concentrate.

 

 

To be on the go – Estar en movimiento, ser muy activo, alguien que nunca para.

My nephew never sit still! He’s always on the go.

 

To be stuffed – Alguien que ha comido demasiado. Estar atiborrado de comida.

No more chocolate for me, thanks. I’m stuffed.

To-be-stuffed

 

To be taken aback – Pillar/tomar a alguien desprevenido, dejar atónito a alguien (ya sea una persona o una noticia).

I was a little taken aback at the directness of the question.

To-be-taken-aback

 

To blow a fuse/gasket – Fundir los plomos, saltar un fusible. También se utiliza esa expresión cuando alguien se cabrea mucho y no puede calmarse.

When he told her how much it cost, she blew a gasket.

To-blow-a-fuse

 

To ditch someone – Dejar plantado a alguien, mandar a alguien a freír espárragos, a hacer puñetas.

I can’t bring myself to ditch him and start again

To-ditch-someone

 

To get a kick out of something – Echar o expulsar a alguien de un sitio. Poner de patitas en la calle a alguien.

I was kicked out of class for refusing to turn off my smartphone.

To-get-a-kick-out-of-something

 

To get out of bed on the wrong side – Levantarse con el pie izquierdo. Levantarse de mal humor.

Dad has been grumpy all day. He must have got out of bed on the wrong side

To-get-out-of-bed-on-the-wrong-side

 

To have a big mouth – Tener la boca grande. Ser un bocazas.

He’s always getting into trouble because of his big mouth.

To-have-a-big-mouth

 

 

To have a heart of gold – Tener un corazón de oro.

He may seem a tough person at first, but he really has a heart of gold.

heart-of-gold

 

To have a lot in common – Tener mucho en común.

We don’t really have a lot in common.

have-a-lot-in-common

 

To have a screw loose – La clásica expresión de ¿te falta un tornillo?

What’s the matter with you? Do you have a screw loose, or what?

have-a-screw-loose

 

To have other fish to fry – Tener cosas más importantes que hacer.

He declined to come along to the movie, saying he had other fish to fry.

 

To hell with something or somebody – Mandar al carajo/a la mierda a algo o a alguien.

I was ready to say to hell with it and leave.

To-hell-with

 

To make a fortune – Ganar un dineral, una fortuna. Hacerse de oro.

He made a fortune buying and selling nineteenth-century paintings.

To-make-a-fortune

 

To make up for something – Compensar, reparar.

She made up for her rudeness by buying me a nice cup of coffee.

 

To mess with someone – Molestar a alguien, meterse con alguien, joder a alguien.

Don’t mess with me, or I’ll get very angry!

mess-with-me

 

To put someone on a pedestal – Poner a alguien en un pedestal, endiosar o idealiza a alguien.

If you idolize a girl and put her on a pedestal, she will sense it instantly.

put-her-on-a-pedestal

 

To put the blame on someone – Echarle la culpa a alguien. Culpar a alguien de algo.

She still blames him for Saras accident.

blames-him

 

To stab somebody in the back – Apuñalar a alguien por la espalda.

He had been lied to and stabbed in the back by people that he thought were his friends.

stabbed-in-the-back

 

To thumb your nose at somebody – despreciar, menospreciar algo. Meter las narices donde no le llaman.

Don’t thumb your nose at the boss if you want to keep your job!

 

Top banana – El jefe, el mandamás. También se puede utilizar la expresión “top dog”.

You’ll have to ask the top banana. He’s out right now.

Top-banana

 

Tough guy/boy – El tipo duro.

He wants everyone to think he’s a tough guy.

tough-boy

 

Turn on the waterworks – Abrir el grifo, llorar como una magdalena.

You can turn on the waterworks all you want – I’m not going to change my mind!

turn-on-the-waterworks

 

Turn someones stomach – Dar náuseas.

The bad smell turned my stomach.

turned-my-stomach

 

Turn yourself in – Entregar a alguien (normalmente un criminal a la policía).

The hit-and-run driver turned himself in to the pólice the day after the accident.

Turn-yourself-in

 

Until the cows come home – Hasta el día del juicio final, hasta que salga el sol, hasta que los pies duelan, etc…

I could sit here and argue with you till the cows come home, but it wouldn’t solve anything.

till-the-cows-come-home

Voracious – Insaciable, voraz.

He has a voracious appetite.

 

Walking papers – Poner de patitas en la calle a alguien. Despedir a alguien de un trabajo.

He was called into the boss’s office and given his walking papers.

walking-papers

 

What a mess – ¡Vaya lio! ¡Vaya follón! ¡Qué desastre!

What a mess I thought when he told me about his situation.

What-a-mess

 

What’s it to you? – ¿Y a ti qué te importa? También se puede utilizar la expresión “what’s it worth (to you)?”.

Do you know where she’s living now? – What’s it to you?

 

 

Why the long face? – Cara triste, cara larga, o también la expresión “¿A qué viene esa cara tan larga?”

It’s almost Christmas, Lucy. Why the long face?

Why-the-long-face

 

Wind/pull your neck in – Mejor cállate y no te entromezcas.

You’ll lose your job if you’re messing around so don’t pull your neck in.

 

Work like a dog – Trabajar como una mula o un esclavo.

You can work like a dog and still not make ends meet.

Work-like-a-dog

 

Worn out – Agotado, hecho polvo.

I was worn out after that music festival.

 

Get over the hump – Superar lo más difícil.

It’s been a hard semester  but I think we’re over the hump now.

Get-over-the-hump

 

Your wish is my command – Tus deseos son órdenes para mí.

Put the heater on, will you? – Your wish is my command.

Your-wish-is-my-command

 

Zip someones mouth – Tener la boca cerrada.

Zip your mouth because I don’t want everyone knowing our business.

Zip-someones-mouth

 

Nota del autor: La mayoría de ejemplos han sido obtenidos, y en muchos de ellos modificados ligeramente, de los diccionarios de Cambridge, Collins, TheFreeDictionary y Wordreference.

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