Al que le quepa el saco, que se lo ponga

/al keh leh KEH-pah el SAH-koh, keh seh loh POHN-gah/

If a general criticism or comment applies to you, you should accept it. It's a way of making a pointed remark without naming anyone directly.

Level:B2Register:InformalCommon:★★★☆☆

💡 Understanding the Idiom

Literal Translation:

"To whom the sack fits, let them put it on."

What It Really Means:

If a general criticism or comment applies to you, you should accept it. It's a way of making a pointed remark without naming anyone directly.

English Equivalents:

If the shoe fits, wear itIf the cap fits, wear itLet whoever is guilty acknowledge it

🎨 Literal vs. Figurative

💭 Literal

Literally, it means 'Whoever the sack fits, let them wear it'.

✨ Figurative

It means 'if the shoe fits,' implying that if a criticism applies to you, you should own it.

Key Words in This Idiom:

cabersacoponer

📝 In Action

El profesor dijo: 'Algunos no están estudiando lo suficiente'. Y bueno, al que le quepa el saco, que se lo ponga.

The teacher said, 'Some of you aren't studying enough.' And well, if the shoe fits, wear it.

Yo no he dicho nombres, pero si te ofendes por mi comentario sobre la impuntualidad, será que el saco te queda.

I haven't named names, but if you're offended by my comment about lateness, the shoe must fit.

Alguien se ha comido mi tarta. No miro a nadie, pero al que le quepa el saco...

Someone ate my cake. I'm not looking at anyone, but if the cap fits...

📜 Origin Story

The exact origin is unclear, as it's a piece of folk wisdom, much like its English counterpart 'if the shoe fits.' The idea comes from tailoring and clothing. A custom-made sack coat ('saco') or garment would only fit the person it was made for. The idiom cleverly applies this logic to criticism: if a particular critique 'fits' you perfectly, it was likely intended for you, even if your name wasn't mentioned.

⭐ Usage Tips

Making an Indirect Criticism

Use this phrase when you want to criticize a behavior you've observed in a group without calling out a specific person. It's a way of saying, 'You know who you are'.

As a Defensive Retort

You can also use it defensively. If someone accuses you of talking about them, you can reply, 'Yo no dije tu nombre... al que le quepa el saco...' This implies, 'I didn't say it was you, but if you feel guilty, that's on you'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using It for Positive Things

Mistake: "Alguien aquí es muy inteligente. Al que le quepa el saco, que se lo ponga."

Correction: This phrase is almost exclusively used for negative comments or criticisms. Using it for a compliment sounds strange and confusing. For positive remarks, it's better to be direct or use a different expression.

🌎 Where It's Used

🇪🇸

Spain

Very common and widely understood across the country.

🌎

Latin America

Extremely common and used in virtually all Spanish-speaking countries, from Mexico to Argentina.

🔗 Related Idioms

↔️Similar Meanings

A buen entendedor, pocas palabras bastan

A word to the wise is enough; implying that the intended person will get the hint.

⇆Opposite Meanings

Llamar al pan, pan y al vino, vino

To call a spade a spade; to speak directly and plainly.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: Al que le quepa el saco, que se lo ponga

Question 1 of 1

Your roommate says to you and your other roommate, 'Someone isn't washing their dishes! Al que le quepa el saco, que se lo ponga.' What is she implying?

🏷️ Tags

ClothingSocial InteractionsCommonly Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'Al que le quepa el saco...' considered rude or passive-aggressive?

It can definitely be perceived as passive-aggressive, as it's a way of avoiding direct confrontation. While not overtly rude, its impact depends heavily on the tone and context. Among friends, it can be a teasing way to point something out, but in a more serious situation, it can sound accusatory and create tension.