The Legacy of the Bones: Spanish study pack

Show 5 more expressions

meterse donde no le llamanto stick one's nose in, to interfere where one is not wanted

colloquial

Fixed phrase used to criticise someone who meddles in others' business. Often said in the third person as a complaint about someone absent.

Siempre se mete donde no le llaman y acaba generando problemas en la oficina.He always sticks his nose in where he's not wanted and ends up causing problems at the office.

caldo de cultivobreeding ground (for something negative)

Literally refers to a bacterial culture medium in biology, but used figuratively to describe conditions that allow something harmful, crime, extremism, illness, to grow and spread.

La pobreza y la falta de educación son el caldo de cultivo ideal para la radicalización.Poverty and lack of education are the ideal breeding ground for radicalisation.

dar denterato give the creeps, to set one's teeth on edge, to make one's skin crawl

colloquial

Literally refers to the unpleasant sensation of tooth sensitivity, but used widely to express physical disgust or unease provoked by something repulsive or unsettling.

Ver esas imágenes me da una dentera horrible, no puedo mirarlas.Seeing those images makes my skin crawl, I can't look at them.

meapilassanctimonious person, religious prude, holy roller

vulgar

Compound from 'mear' (to urinate) and 'pila' (holy water font). A cutting insult directed at someone perceived as ostentatiously pious or morally self-righteous. Always derogatory.

Lo llaman meapilas porque siempre presume de sus valores morales pero nunca ayuda a nadie.They call him a holy roller because he's always showing off his moral values but never actually helps anyone.

vaya por Diosgood grief, for goodness' sake, oh no

colloquial

A mild exclamation of resignation, exasperation, or dismay. Despite the religious reference, it has no strong religious connotation in everyday use and is not considered offensive.

Vaya por Dios, otra vez han cancelado el vuelo por el mal tiempo.Good grief, they've cancelled the flight again because of bad weather.

The Legacy of the Bones

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