The Simpsons S07E18: Spanish study pack

Show 6 more expressions

zoqueteblockhead, dimwit

colloquial

A mild, somewhat dated insult for someone perceived as slow or dense. Common in Latin American Spanish; not vulgar but clearly dismissive.

No entiendo cómo ese zoquete llegó a gerente si no sabe ni usar la computadora.I can't understand how that dimwit became a manager if he doesn't even know how to use a computer.

orondoself-satisfied, smugly pleased with oneself

colloquial

Describes someone walking or speaking with an air of smug self-importance. The literal meaning 'plump/round' is rarely the intended one in everyday speech; the behavioral sense of puffed-up confidence dominates.

Llegó tan orondo a la reunión, como si ya hubiera ganado el contrato.He walked into the meeting so self-satisfied, as if he had already won the contract.

moros en la costathe coast is clear (no one is watching or around)

colloquial

A fixed idiom meaning there are no unwanted witnesses nearby. Usually used as 'no hay moros en la costa' to signal it is safe to act.

Esperamos a que no hubiera moros en la costa para sacar los regalos sorpresa.We waited until the coast was clear before bringing out the surprise gifts.

fracasadoloser, failure (as an insult directed at a person)

colloquial

While 'fracaso' simply means 'failure', calling someone 'fracasado' is a pointed personal insult implying their whole life or career has amounted to nothing. The shift from describing an event to labeling a person gives it a sting that the literal reading misses.

Le dijeron fracasado enfrente de todos y se fue sin decir nada.They called him a loser in front of everyone and he left without saying a word.

sarta de basuraa load of garbage, a pack of lies/nonsense

colloquial

'Sarta' literally means 'string' (as in a string of beads) and in this fixed phrase amplifies contempt: it implies not just one false or ridiculous claim but a whole chain of them.

Lo que dijo en la entrevista fue una sarta de basura que nadie se creyó.What he said in the interview was a complete pack of nonsense that nobody believed.

chifladocrackpot, nutjob

colloquial

Describes a person considered eccentric or mildly crazy. Softer and more playful than 'loco'; often used to dismiss someone's claims rather than to seriously question their sanity.

Todos lo tomaban por chiflado, pero al final tenía razón.Everyone thought he was a crackpot, but in the end he was right.

The Day the Violence Died

Expressions to listen for

Key vocabulary