Spanish idiomatic expressions

By Marta Díaz on Thursday, August 7, 2025

Have you ever heard someone say, “Me quedé de piedra al oírle decir eso” (I was stunned when I heard him say that)? If you're learning Spanish, phrases like this might throw you off or you might not understand their full meaning. These are idiomatic expressions in Spanish that are used commonly and colloquially in everyday conversation.

Still don't know what they are? Enforex brings you the 20 Spanish idiomatic expressions you need to know to understand the language and continue your adventure of learning Spanish in Spain. Keep reading!

What are idiomatic expressions in Spanish?

Spanish idiomatic expressions are phrases whose meaning is not literally that of the words that compose them. They are an essential part of Spanish colloquial language and reveal a lot about the culture, humor, and way of thinking of a community.

Below, you’ll find 20 very common Spanish idiomatic expressions, where you can discover their meaning and examples so that you can understand their use in context.

Estar como una rosa

The Spanish idiomatic expression “Estar como una rosa” means to be very well, especially after having been unwell, tired, or going through an emotional rough patch. For example:

• Después de dormir diez horas, me levanté como una rosa (After sleeping for ten hours, I woke up feeling fantastic)

Quedarse de piedra

When you are surprised or shocked by an event or someone's statement, you can use the Spanish idiomatic expression “quedarse de piedra.” For example:

• Me quedé de piedra cuando me dijeron que había ganado el concurso (I was stunned when they told me I had won the contest)

No dar pie con bola

“No dar pie con bola” refers to failing at everything you are trying to do, either by yourself or with someone else. In English, this phrase can be translated as “not hitting the mark”. For example:

• Hoy estaba distraído y no di pie con bola en el examen (Today I was distracted and didn't hit the mark on the exam)
• Mi primo no dio pie con bola, falló todos los pases en el partido (My cousin didn't hit the mark; he missed all the passes in the game)

Tener un humor de perros

Idiomatic expressions in Spanish with animals are very common. There are many idioms with animals in Spanish that you can hear in everyday life, one of them is “tener un humor de perros”.

This Spanish idiomatic phrase refers to when a person is in a very bad mood. For example: No le hables ahora, su camiseta favorita se ha roto y tiene un humor de perros (Don't talk to him now, he's broken his favourite T-shirt and he's in a terrible mood).

Ir directo al grano

Imagine you meet someone to talk about a topic that is very important to both of you, but the conversation drifts away from the main topic. In this case, you could use the Spanish idiomatic expression “ir al grano.”

You can hear this idiomatic expression in Spanish anywhere and in any context, and it means to get straight to the point, without beating around the bush.

For example:

• No tenemos mucho tiempo, así que, por favor, ve al grano (We don't have much time, so please get to the point)
• Voy a ir directo al grano: ¿quieres ir a tomar un café conmigo? (I'm going to get straight to the point: do you want to go for a coffee with me?)

Estar hasta el cuello

When someone is very involved in a complicated situation or an activity that takes up all their time, it's the ideal moment to use the Spanish idiomatic phrase “estar hasta el cuello”.

In English, this phrase can be translated as “up to your neck” or “up to your eyeballs”, even as overwhelmed. For example:

• Estoy hasta el cuello de trabajo y no tengo tiempo para nada (I'm up to my neck in work and don't have time for anything)

Hacer la vista gorda

Tener la cabeza en su sitio

When a person is sensible, balanced, and reasonable, we often say that they “tienen la cabeza en su sitio” (have their head on straight). This is also a very common expression, especially in academic and work settings. For example:

Dejar plantado a alguien

“Dejar plantado a alguien” (to stand someone up) means not showing up for an appointment or event without giving prior notice. This idiomatic expression in Spanish is widely used, especially in romantic contexts. For example: Ayer tenía una cita, pero me dejaron plantado (I had a date yesterday, but I was stood up).

No tener ni idea

When someone talks about something but it is clear that they do not know what they are talking about, or when someone knows absolutely nothing about a subject, this idiomatic expression in Spanish is used: “no tener ni idea.”

For example:

• No tengo ni idea de cómo se usa este programa (I have no idea how to use this programme)
• Tu primo no tiene ni idea de lo que está diciendo (Your cousin has no idea what he's talking about)

Tener la lengua larga

When someone talks too much or is indiscreet, you say that person “tiene la lengua larga” or in English having a loose tongue. For example:

• No le cuentes nada a Mario, tiene la lengua muy larga y luego se lo cuenta a todo el mundo (Don't tell Mario anything, he has a very loose tongue and he'll tell everyone)

Ser un cero a la izquierda

When something or someone is irrelevant or not considered in a conversation or activity, it is said that they are “un cero a la izquierda”. This phrase can be translated in English as “be a nobody” or “be useless”. For example:

• En las reuniones nunca me escuchan, soy un cero a la izquierda (They never listen to me in meetings, I'm a nobody).

Tener madera de líder

When a person has natural leadership qualities, it is said that they “tiene madera de líder”. For example: Desde pequeño mostró que tenía madera de líder (From a young age, he showed that he had leadership qualities).

Estar como un tren

When a person is very physically attractive, they are said to be he or she “está como un tren.” For example:

Poner el grito en el cielo

Poner el grito en el cielo or, in English, “scream blue murder” is a Spanish idiomatic expression that means to react with great indignation to a comment or action by another person. For example: Mi madre puso el grito en el cielo cuando vio tres suspensos (My mother screamed blue murder when she saw three failing grades).

Estar en el ojo del huracán

• When someone is in the middle of a conflict or problem, they are said “está en el ojo del huracán” (in the eye of the hurricane). For example: Tras el nuevo escándalo político, el ministro está en el ojo del huracán (After the new political scandal, the minister is in the eye of the hurricane)

Irse por la tangente

Avoiding answering directly or deliberately changing the subject means “irse por la tangente”. In English, this expression can be translated as “go off on a tangent”.

A good example would be: Le pregunté sobre el dinero que faltaba, pero se fue por la tangente (I asked him about the missing money, but he went off on a tangen).

No tener pelos en la lengua

When a person speaks frankly and without filters, they are said to “no tener pelos en la lengua” and, in English, can be translated as “not mince words.” For example: Ana no tiene pelos en la lengua, siempre dice lo que piensa (Ana doesn't mince words; she always says what she thinks).

Tener algo entre ceja y ceja

When someone has an obsession or fixation with someone or something specific, they are said to “tiene algo entre ceja y ceja”. For example: Desde que discutieron, Pedro tiene a Juan entre ceja y ceja (Since they argued, Pedro has Juan between his eyebrows).

These idiomatic expressions in Spanish are just a few examples of how the language uses metaphors and set phrases to express emotions, everyday situations, and attitudes. Learning them will enrich your vocabulary and improve your understanding of Spanish when you speak with native speakers. You'll sound much more casual and relaxed!