Cable Girls S03E03: Spanish study pack

Show 7 more expressions

hacerse la rosca (a alguien)to butter someone up, to suck up to someone

colloquial

Common informal expression. Conveys a slightly mocking tone toward someone who flatters others for personal gain.

Siempre que hay que pedir un favor al jefe, Rodrigo va y le hace la rosca con una sonrisa enorme.Whenever there's a favour to ask the boss, Rodrigo goes and butters him up with a big smile.

escaquearseto skive off, to dodge work or responsibilities

colloquial

Very common in everyday speech. Implies cleverly avoiding a duty or obligation, often with a hint of pride in getting away with it.

Consiguió escaquearse de la reunión del lunes diciendo que tenía una cita médica.He managed to skive off Monday's meeting by saying he had a doctor's appointment.

palanteforward, onwards, get on with it

colloquial

Contracted spoken form of 'para adelante'. Expresses encouragement or the idea of pressing on despite difficulties. Very natural in casual conversation.

Mira, no tiene sentido lamentarse, hay que mirar palante y seguir con la vida.Look, there's no point in moping, you've got to look forward and get on with life.

a primera horafirst thing in the morning, at the start of business

A fixed time expression meaning very early in the working day or as the first act of the morning. Widely used in professional and everyday contexts.

Manda el informe a primera hora del lunes para que el director lo tenga antes de la reunión.Send the report first thing Monday morning so the director has it before the meeting.

le pierdeis his weakness, he can't resist it

colloquial

The construction 'le/la pierde + noun' means that something is someone's fatal weakness or irresistible temptation. Common and vivid in informal speech.

A mi abuela le pierde el chocolate con churros; no puede verlos sin coger uno.My grandmother can't resist chocolate with churros; she can't see them without taking one.

qué remediono choice, what else can we do, I suppose so

colloquial

Short for 'qué remedio queda' or 'no hay otro remedio'. Expresses reluctant acceptance of a situation. Often wry or resigned in tone.

¿Tienes que quedarte en casa este fin de semana? Qué remedio, si hay que acabar el proyecto.Do you have to stay home this weekend? No choice, if the project needs to be finished.

dar la carato show your face, to stand up and be counted, to take responsibility

colloquial

Means facing a situation openly and taking responsibility, rather than hiding or letting others deal with the consequences.

Cuando hubo un error en el presupuesto, fue ella quien dio la cara ante el cliente.When there was an error in the budget, she was the one who faced the client and took responsibility.

Chapter 19: Truth

Expressions to listen for

Key vocabulary