Death Inc. S02E02: Spanish study pack

Show 7 more expressions

a tomar por culogo to hell, sod off (dismissal or rejection)

vulgar

A very strong way to dismiss someone or something. Used when thoroughly fed up. Not suitable in any formal or semi-formal context.

Después de tantos problemas con la empresa, mandó todo a tomar por culo y renunció.After so many problems with the company, he told it all to go to hell and resigned.

mojarseto commit, to take a clear stance (literally 'to get wet')

colloquial

Used when asking someone to stop sitting on the fence and give a definite answer or opinion. The literal meaning of getting wet is entirely absent.

Venga, hay que mojarse: ¿estás a favor o en contra de la propuesta?Come on, you have to take a stance: are you for or against the proposal?

dispararse en el pieto shoot oneself in the foot

colloquial

Used when someone's own action causes their downfall or ruins their opportunity. Identical in image to the English phrase but fully naturalised in everyday speech.

Con ese comentario tan innecesario, se disparó en el pie justo antes de la entrevista.With that completely unnecessary comment, he shot himself in the foot right before the interview.

colgarle el sambenitoto label someone unfairly, to pin a bad reputation on someone

colloquial

From a historical garment worn by penitents of the Inquisition. Now means to stigmatise or unfairly brand someone with a negative trait that sticks to them.

Desde aquel error, le colgaron el sambenito de incompetente en toda la oficina.Since that mistake, they pinned the label of incompetent on him across the whole office.

leoneracomplete mess, pigsty (a very untidy place)

colloquial

Literally 'lion's den', used to describe a space in total disorder. Common in everyday speech when commenting on someone's chaotic home or room.

No te puedo recibir en casa, está hecha una leonera desde que empezaron las obras.I can't have you round, the place has been a complete tip since the building work started.

patochadadaft idea, nonsense, blunder

colloquial

Refers to a foolish action, silly remark, or half-baked scheme. More dismissive than insulting; implies the thing is simply not serious.

Deja de decir patochadas y propón algo que de verdad funcione.Stop talking nonsense and suggest something that will actually work.

estar a esto deto be this close to (something), on the verge of

colloquial

Accompanied in speech by a gesture (thumb and forefinger almost touching) to show a tiny margin. Conveys being extremely near to achieving or failing something.

Estaba a esto de ganar el partido cuando cometió el último error.He was this close to winning the match when he made the final mistake.

Episode 2

Expressions to listen for

Key vocabulary