Cable Girls S03E01: Spanish study pack

Show 9 more expressions

jetashameless person, freeloader, cheek (nerve)

colloquial

Used to describe someone who takes advantage without shame. Can also refer to a person's face in very casual speech. Common and mildly pejorative.

¡Qué jeta tiene ese tipo! Se comió toda la comida y ni las gracias dio.What a nerve that guy has! He ate all the food and didn't even say thank you.

parraquefainting spell, fit (from shock or worry)

colloquial

Very colloquial and somewhat old-fashioned. Often used hyperbolically to mean someone was extremely shocked or anxious. Common in familiar registers.

Cuando le dijeron el precio del piso, casi le da un parraque.When they told him the price of the flat, he nearly had a fit.

a otro perro con ese huesogo tell it to someone who'll believe you; pull the other one

colloquial

Fixed idiom used to dismiss someone's claim as unbelievable or a poor excuse. Equivalent to 'tell it to the marines' or 'I wasn't born yesterday'.

¿Que llegaste tarde por el tráfico? ¡A otro perro con ese hueso!You were late because of traffic? Pull the other one!

tardonaslowcoach (female), someone who is always late or slow

colloquial

Formed by adding the augmentative suffix -ona to 'tarda'. Used affectionately between close friends or family. The -ona suffix adds a teasing, affectionate warmth.

Eres una tardona; llevamos media hora esperándote.You're such a slowcoach; we've been waiting for you half an hour.

de sopetónout of the blue, all of a sudden, without warning

colloquial

Fixed adverbial phrase. Conveys the sudden, unexpected nature of an action. Very natural in informal speech.

Apareció de sopetón en la reunión sin haber avisado a nadie.He appeared out of the blue at the meeting without having warned anyone.

emperifollada/odressed up, all dolled up

colloquial

Refers to being elaborately dressed or over-done up, often with a slightly teasing undertone. Typically used about someone who has made a great effort with their appearance.

Llegó toda emperifollada a la cena de cumpleaños.She arrived all dolled up for the birthday dinner.

calaverawild one, reckless person, someone who lives recklessly

colloquial

Literally 'skull'. Used figuratively for someone who lives irresponsibly, is promiscuous, or does not honour commitments. Has a slightly old-fashioned but still current literary ring.

De joven fue un calavera, pero con los años sentó la cabeza.In his youth he was a wild one, but over the years he settled down.

más papista que el papamore Catholic than the Pope; stricter about rules than those who made them

colloquial

Fixed idiomatic phrase used to describe someone who is more zealous about a set of rules or beliefs than even its official guardians. Ironic in tone.

No seas más papista que el papa; el propio jefe llega tarde a veces.Don't be stricter than the rule-maker himself; even the boss is late sometimes.

no dar palo al aguato do no work at all, to be bone idle

colloquial

Fixed idiom expressing total laziness or refusal to work. Used with humour or exasperation.

Ese estudiante no da palo al agua; lleva semanas sin entregar nada.That student does absolutely nothing; he's been handing in no work for weeks.

Chapter 17: Time

Expressions to listen for

Key vocabulary