Veneno S01E05: Spanish study pack

Show 7 more expressions

dar la campanáto make a big splash, to become famous and cause a sensation

colloquial

An Andalusian-flavoured expression using 'campaná' (campaña said with Andalusian phonology). It means to make a name for oneself in a spectacular way, not merely to ring a bell.

Con esa voz tan potente, estoy segura de que va a dar la campaná en el festival.With that powerful voice, I'm sure she's going to make a huge splash at the festival.

tener mucha carato have a lot of nerve, to be very cheeky or brazen

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colloquial

Literally 'to have a lot of face'. Used to describe someone who acts boldly without shame. Completely non-compositional for learners who know 'cara' only as 'face'.

Tienes mucha cara presentándote aquí después de lo que hiciste la semana pasada.You've got a lot of nerve showing up here after what you did last week.

con la lengua fueraout of breath, exhausted (from running or exertion)

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colloquial

Literally 'with one's tongue out', like a panting dog. Used to describe physical exhaustion after effort, not emotional tiredness.

Llegamos al andén con la lengua fuera justo cuando salía el tren.We reached the platform completely out of breath just as the train was pulling out.

a lo que hay que estarto pay attention to what matters, to focus on the task at hand

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colloquial

A fixed reprimand phrase meaning someone is distracted from their job or duty. The full sense is non-compositional and very conversational.

El jefe nos recordó que había que estar a lo que hay que estar y no perder el tiempo.The boss reminded us that we needed to focus on the task at hand and not waste time.

no son horasit's not a reasonable hour, it's too late (or too early) for this

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colloquial

A set phrase commenting that the time of an action is inappropriate, not that something lacks hours in a literal sense.

Son las tres de la mañana, no son horas de llamar a nadie por teléfono.It's three in the morning, it's not a reasonable hour to be calling anyone.

me cago en todos tus muertosa strong curse expression of anger or frustration, roughly 'damn you and all your dead'

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vulgar

One of many 'me cago en...' expressions common in very heated speech. The reference to ancestors makes it particularly offensive and non-compositional for learners. It conveys extreme anger.

Perdió la final por un gol en el último minuto y soltó '¡me cago en todos tus muertos, árbitro!'He lost the final with a goal in the last minute and shouted a furious curse at the referee.

hacerse conto get hold of something, to obtain, to take control of

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Opaque for English speakers: 'hacerse' alone means 'to become', but 'hacerse con' means to acquire or seize something. The meaning cannot be guessed from the parts.

Al final conseguió hacerse con una entrada para el concierto a través de una revendedora.In the end she managed to get hold of a ticket for the concert through a reseller.

Cristina Through the Looking Glass

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