She Walks in Darkness: Spanish study pack

Show 7 more expressions

me cago en tu puta madrea very strong oath of rage or desperation (lit. 'I shit on your fucking mother')

vulgar

One of the most extreme expletive phrases in the language. Used to express explosive anger or anguish. Reserved for moments of severe emotional intensity; deeply offensive if aimed at a person.

Cuando vio que le habían robado el coche, soltó un '¡me cago en tu puta madre!' que se oyó en todo el bloque.When he saw his car had been stolen, he let out a '¡me cago en tu puta madre!' that could be heard throughout the whole building.

echar unos potesto go out for a few drinks (informal)

colloquial

Very common in everyday speech, especially in northern Spain. 'Pote' refers to a small glass of wine or beer. The expression implies a relaxed, sociable outing rather than heavy drinking.

Después del trabajo, quedamos para echar unos potes en el bar de siempre.After work, we met up to go for a few drinks at the usual bar.

no pintar nadato have no reason to be somewhere / to be out of place; to have nothing left for oneself in a situation

colloquial

Widely used expression. Literally 'to paint nothing'. Indicates that a person has no role, purpose, or stake in a place or situation.

Después de la ruptura, sentía que ya no pintaba nada en ese círculo de amigos.After the breakup, she felt she no longer had any place in that circle of friends.

en libertad condicionalon parole / on conditional freedom; used figuratively to mean always living under threat

Primarily a legal term meaning parole. In the dialogue it is used metaphorically to describe the precarious existence of those involved in the Basque independence movement, the sense that arrest or death is always imminent.

Vivir bajo vigilancia constante es como estar en libertad condicional sin haber hecho nada.Living under constant surveillance is like being on parole without having done anything wrong.

dar el pasoto take the step / to make the move (to commit to something significant)

Used when someone finally commits to a decision or action they have been hesitating over. Common in both everyday and formal contexts.

Llevaba meses dudando, pero al final dio el paso y pidió el traslado.She had been hesitating for months, but in the end she took the step and requested the transfer.

caer como moscasto fall like flies (to be arrested, killed, or eliminated in large numbers rapidly)

colloquial

Standard Spanish idiom. In this context used to describe rapid arrests of ETA members. The image is of insects dying en masse.

Con la nueva operación policial, los miembros de la red estaban cayendo como moscas.With the new police operation, the network's members were falling like flies.

no doy abastoI can't cope / I can't keep up (with the workload or demand)

colloquial

Very common expression for being overwhelmed, especially with work or responsibilities. 'Abastar' is rarely used outside this fixed phrase.

Tengo tantos encargos este mes que no doy abasto.I have so many orders this month that I just can't keep up.

She Walks in Darkness

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