Cable Girls S03E02: Spanish study pack

Show 7 more expressions

vía librefree rein, the coast is clear, go-ahead

colloquial

Literally 'clear track' (railway metaphor). Used to signal that an obstacle or person is out of the way and someone can act freely.

Esta tarde mis padres salen, así que tenemos vía libre para ensayar aquí.My parents are going out this afternoon, so we have the coast clear to rehearse here.

a lo tuyomind your own business / stick to what you do

colloquial

Short dismissal meaning 'focus on your own thing and don't interfere'. Tone ranges from friendly to sharp depending on context.

Deja de opinar sobre lo que hacen los demás y ve a lo tuyo.Stop commenting on what others are doing and mind your own business.

cardar la lana / llevarse la famado all the hard work while someone else gets the credit

colloquial

Fixed proverbial expression: 'unos cardan la lana y otros se llevan la fama', one person does the unglamorous work, another takes the glory. Used to express resentment or irony about unequal recognition.

Siempre soy yo quien carda la lana mientras mi compañero se lleva la fama.I'm always the one who does all the work while my colleague gets all the credit.

en buena horajust what we needed (ironic) / great timing (sarcastic)

colloquial

Literally 'in good time', but used sarcastically to mean the opposite, that something has turned up at an inconvenient or unwelcome moment.

En buena hora decide volver ahora que ya lo hemos terminado todo.Great timing, he decides to come back now that we've already finished everything.

emperifollado/aall dressed up, done up to the nines

colloquial

Used when someone is dressed more smartly or showily than the occasion seems to warrant. Often said with mild teasing or affection.

¿Adónde vas tan emperifollado para ir al mercado?Where are you going all dressed up just to go to the market?

sornasarcasm, dry mockery, sly teasing

colloquial

Refers to a particular tone of slow, deadpan sarcasm or irony. 'Con sorna' describes a delivery that is knowingly mocking without being overtly aggressive.

Me respondió con sorna que claro, él siempre tiene razón.He replied with dry sarcasm that of course, he is always right.

dejar en la estacadato leave someone in the lurch, to abandon someone in a difficult situation

colloquial

Idiomatic expression for abandoning someone when they most need help. Conveys a sense of betrayal or unreliability.

Confié en ella y me dejó en la estacada justo antes del examen.I trusted her and she left me in the lurch right before the exam.

Chapter 18: Death

Expressions to listen for

Key vocabulary