Cable Girls S04E01: Spanish study pack

Show 7 more expressions

bordar(la)to nail it, to do something brilliantly

colloquial

Literally 'to embroider'. Used figuratively to say someone performed exceptionally well. Very common in everyday speech when praising a performance or achievement.

La actriz lo bordó en su primera obra de teatro profesional.The actress nailed it in her first professional theatre production.

a verlet's see, right then, well now (discourse marker)

colloquial

Extremely common filler that frames what a speaker is about to say, often introducing a clarification, a challenge, or an evaluation. Also used to call attention before a statement.

A ver, si todos estamos de acuerdo, podemos empezar la reunión.Right then, if we're all in agreement, we can start the meeting.

daleand on and on, there you go again (expressing mild exasperation at repetition)

colloquial

Short for 'y dale'. Expresses mild exasperation when someone keeps bringing up the same topic or making the same argument repeatedly.

¡Y dale! Llevas una hora diciendo lo mismo, ¿no puedes hablar de otra cosa?And on and on! You've been saying the same thing for an hour, can't you talk about something else?

hacerse a la ideato come to terms with something, to get used to the idea

colloquial

Fixed expression meaning to mentally adjust to a new or unwelcome reality. Often used when someone is resistant to change.

Tardó meses en hacerse a la idea de que ya no vivía en su ciudad natal.It took him months to come to terms with the fact that he no longer lived in his home city.

mejor prevenir que curarbetter safe than sorry (literally: better to prevent than to cure)

Common proverb used to justify taking precautions. The full form is the standard one; sometimes shortened in very casual speech.

Llevo paraguas aunque no parece que vaya a llover, mejor prevenir que curar.I'm taking an umbrella even though it doesn't look like rain, better safe than sorry.

quitarse un peso de encimato get a weight off one's shoulders, to feel relieved of a burden

colloquial

Idiomatic expression for the feeling of relief when a responsibility or worry is taken away. Widely used in both professional and personal contexts.

Cuando por fin terminó los exámenes, sintió que se quitaba un peso de encima.When she finally finished her exams, she felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

de lo másreally, very, most (intensifier)

colloquial

Placed before an adjective to intensify it. Sounds natural and conversational; more expressive than simply using 'muy'.

La conferencia fue de lo más interesante; salí con muchas ideas nuevas.The talk was really interesting; I came out with lots of new ideas.

Chapter 25: Equality

Expressions to listen for

Key vocabulary