El Ministerio del Tiempo S03E10: Spanish study pack

Show 6 more expressions

malparidobastard, son of a bitch

vulgar

A strong insult directed at someone behaving treacherously or violently. Literally 'badly born'. Used in heated confrontations; definitely not casual small-talk vocabulary.

Le llamó malparido delante de todos cuando se enteró de lo que había hecho.He called him a bastard in front of everyone when he found out what he had done.

chapado a la antiguaold-fashioned, set in one's ways

colloquial

Describes someone whose attitudes or habits belong to a previous era. Can be affectionate or critical depending on tone. The image is of furniture coated (chapado) in old-style veneer.

Mi tío es muy chapado a la antigua: todavía insiste en escribir cartas a mano en lugar de mandar correos.My uncle is very old-fashioned: he still insists on writing letters by hand instead of sending emails.

de brazos cruzadosdoing nothing, sitting on one's hands

colloquial

Almost always appears in negative constructions: 'no quedarse de brazos cruzados' means to take action rather than remain passive. The physical image of crossed arms signals inaction.

El equipo de rescate no se quedó de brazos cruzados mientras esperaban refuerzos.The rescue team didn't sit on their hands while they waited for reinforcements.

no dar buena espinato have a bad feeling about something/someone, to seem fishy

colloquial

'Dar mala espina' and 'no dar buena espina' are interchangeable. The image comes from a fish bone (espina) as an unwelcome surprise. Signals instinctive distrust or suspicion.

Ese tipo no me da buena espina; sonríe demasiado cuando habla de dinero.That guy seems fishy to me; he smiles too much when he talks about money.

a la hora de la verdadwhen it comes down to it, when it really matters

colloquial

Refers to the decisive moment when talk is replaced by action or reality. Borrowed from bullfighting vocabulary, where the 'moment of truth' is the final thrust. Widely used with no awareness of its bullfighting origin.

Prometió ayudar, pero a la hora de la verdad no apareció por ningún lado.He promised to help, but when it came down to it he was nowhere to be found.

todo a su tiempoall in good time, one thing at a time

colloquial

A reassuring fixed phrase used to calm impatience or manage expectations. Signals that something will be addressed, but not immediately.

No te preocupes por los detalles ahora; todo a su tiempo, ya lo hablaremos.Don't worry about the details now; all in good time, we'll talk about it.

Refugees in Time

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Key vocabulary