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torpedo

tor-peh-doh/toɾˈpeðo/

torpedo

Also: explosive
NounmB1
A sleek, metallic underwater torpedo moving through deep blue water.

📝 In Action

El submarino lanzó un torpedo hacia el barco.

B1

The submarine launched a torpedo toward the ship.

Los torpedos modernos son guiados por computadoras.

B2

Modern torpedoes are guided by computers.

El impacto del torpedo causó graves daños en el casco.

C1

The torpedo's impact caused serious damage to the hull.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • lanzar un torpedo – to launch a torpedo
  • tubo de torpedo – torpedo tube

cheat sheet

Also: crib sheet
NounmB2slang
Spain
A small, tightly folded piece of paper hidden in the palm of a hand.

📝 In Action

El profesor lo pilló usando un torpedo en el examen de física.

B2

The teacher caught him using a cheat sheet during the physics exam.

Hice un torpedo tan pequeño que ni yo mismo podía leerlo.

C1

I made a cheat sheet so small that even I couldn't read it.

Es mejor estudiar que arriesgarse con un torpedo.

B1

It's better to study than to take a risk with a cheat sheet.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • chuleta (cheat sheet (most common term in Spain))
  • machete (cheat sheet (Latin America))

Common Collocations

  • pillado con un torpedo – caught with a cheat sheet

blow / sabotage

Also: setback
NounmC1informal
A large, heavy metal ball crashing into a delicate house made of playing cards.

📝 In Action

Ese escándalo fue un torpedo a la línea de flotación de su campaña.

C1

That scandal was a devastating blow to his campaign (literally: a torpedo to the waterline).

Su renuncia es un torpedo para el futuro del proyecto.

B2

Her resignation is a massive blow to the project's future.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • golpe (hit/blow)
  • sabotaje (sabotage)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • torpedo a la línea de flotación – a blow that hits where it hurts most

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "torpedo" in Spanish:

cheat sheet→crib sheet→explosive→setback→torpedo→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: torpedo

Question 1 of 3

If a student in Spain is using a 'torpedo', what are they doing?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
torpedear(to torpedo/to sabotage) — Verb
torpedeo(the act of torpedoing) — Noun
torpedero(torpedo boat / person who launches torpedoes) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
dedomiedoenredo
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'torpedo', which originally meant 'numbness' or 'stiffness'. It was the name given to the electric ray (fish) because its shock makes you feel numb. In the 1800s, the name was adapted for underwater explosive weapons.

First recorded: 18th century (in military sense)

Cognates (Related words)

English: torpedoFrench: torpilleItalian: torpedine

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'torpedo' used for a sandwich in Spanish?

Rarely. While some regions use 'torpedo' for a long bread roll, 'submarino' or 'bocadillo' are much more common terms.

Is it 'el torpedo' or 'la torpedo'?

It is always 'el torpedo' (masculine), even when referring to a cheat sheet.

What is the difference between 'torpedo' and 'chuleta'?

Both mean 'cheat sheet'. 'Chuleta' is the universal term used across Spain. 'Torpedo' is slightly more old-fashioned slang but still recognized.