The Map of Longing S01E03: Spanish study pack

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estar hecho un líoto be totally confused, to not know where you stand emotionally

colloquial

Stronger than simply 'tener un lío'. Applied to a person, it means their thoughts or feelings are completely tangled, not just a situational mess.

Desde que le dijo que la quería pero no podía estar con ella, él está hecho un lío.Since she told him she loved him but couldn't be with him, he's a complete mess inside.

quitarte de en medioto get out of the way, to remove yourself from a situation (often abruptly or to avoid confrontation)

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colloquial

Literally 'to take yourself out of the middle'. Used to call out someone who has sidestepped or disappeared from a situation rather than dealing with it directly.

Cuando empezaron los problemas, se quitó de en medio y dejó que los demás lo resolvieran.When the problems started, he got out of the way and left the others to sort it out.

no está muy allánot up to much, nothing to write home about, not great

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colloquial

A gentle way to say something (food, a situation, someone's health) is substandard or mediocre without being harsh. Very common in everyday speech.

Fuimos a ese restaurante nuevo pero la comida no estaba muy allá.We went to that new restaurant but the food was nothing to write home about.

a loin the style of, like (used to draw a comparison with a person, character, or type)

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colloquial

Follows a noun directly with no article. 'A lo Harry Styles' means 'in the Harry Styles style'. Works with people, characters, or cultural archetypes.

Llegó a la fiesta vestido a lo rockero de los ochenta.He showed up to the party dressed like an eighties rocker.

estar hasta la pollato be completely fed up, to have had absolutely enough

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vulgar

Very strong and crude. The intensified vulgar equivalent of 'estar harto'. Used among close friends who speak freely. Inappropriate in polite or formal contexts.

Estoy hasta la polla de que siempre llegues tarde a todos lados.I am completely fed up with you always being late everywhere.

menuda novedadwhat a surprise (heavily ironic, meaning 'tell me something I didn't know')

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colloquial

Used sarcastically to dismiss information as obvious or unsurprising. The literal meaning ('what a novelty') is the opposite of the intended meaning.

— Otra vez llega tarde. — Menuda novedad.— He's late again. — What a surprise.

vamos al líolet's get on with it, let's get down to business

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colloquial

A set phrase used to cut short preamble and move to the main point or task. Friendly and energetic in tone.

Ya hemos hablado suficiente, vamos al lío y empezamos a trabajar.We've talked enough, let's get on with it and start working.

dar un sustoto give someone a fright, to scare someone

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colloquial

Very common fixed phrase. The subject is the person or thing that causes the fright. 'Me dio un susto' means 'it gave me a fright' or 'it scared me'.

El gato saltó de detrás de la puerta y me dio un susto tremendo.The cat jumped out from behind the door and gave me a tremendous fright.

ponerse de mala hostiato get in a foul mood, to turn nasty

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vulgar

'Hostia' is a strong word in this register. 'De mala hostia' describes a markedly bad, aggressive mood. Very common in informal conversation despite the vulgarity.

Se pone de mala hostia cuando le cambian los planes de última hora.He gets in a foul mood when his plans are changed at the last minute.

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