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Andar con pies de plomo

/an-DAR kon pee-ESS day PLOH-moh/

To act with great caution, to be very careful, or to proceed slowly and deliberately in a delicate situation.

Level:B2Register:NeutralCommon:★★★★☆

💡 Understanding the Idiom

Literal Translation:
"To walk with feet of lead"
What It Really Means:
To act with great caution, to be very careful, or to proceed slowly and deliberately in a delicate situation.
English Equivalents:
To tread carefullyTo walk on eggshellsTo err on theside of cautionTo play it safe

🎨 Literal vs. Figurative

💭 Literal
A literal, humorous depiction of 'andar con pies de plomo', showing a person struggling to walk with massive, heavy lead boots.

Literally, this means 'to walk with feet of lead'.

✨ Figurative
The actual meaning of 'andar con pies de plomo', showing a person carefully navigating a path made of fragile eggshells.

In practice, it means to be extremely cautious, like 'walking on eggshells'.

Key Words in This Idiom:

andarpiesplomo

📝 In Action

En este nuevo proyecto, tenemos que andar con pies de plomo para no cometer errores.

B2

In this new project, we have to tread very carefully so we don't make mistakes.

El jefe está de mal humor hoy, así que anda con pies de plomo cuando hables con él.

B2

The boss is in a bad mood today, so walk on eggshells when you talk to him.

Es un tema muy delicado; es mejor andar con pies de plomo al discutirlo.

B2

It's a very sensitive topic; it's better to tread carefully when discussing it.

📜 Origin Story

The image behind this idiom is powerful and easy to grasp. Lead ('plomo') is an extremely heavy metal. Imagine trying to walk with boots made of solid lead! You would have to move very slowly, carefully, and deliberately. This vivid mental picture of being weighed down perfectly captures the feeling of needing to proceed with extreme caution. The expression might also be linked to early deep-sea divers, who wore lead-soled boots to keep them anchored and stable on the unpredictable seabed, forcing them to move with slow, careful steps.

⭐ Usage Tips

For Risky or Delicate Situations

Use this idiom when you're describing a situation that requires careful handling because of potential risks, sensitivities, or negative consequences. It’s perfect for business negotiations, tricky social interactions, or any complex task where a mistake could be costly.

It's About Caution, Not Just Speed

While moving with 'feet of lead' implies slowness, the core meaning is about being cautious and deliberate. The slowness is a result of the care being taken.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Don't Confuse it with Literal Slowness

Mistake: "Using it to describe someone who is simply a slow walker or lazy."

Correction: This phrase is about *why* someone is moving slowly—out of caution. If you just want to say someone is slow, you would use 'camina despacio' or 'es lento'. 'Andar con pies de plomo' always implies there's a good reason to be careful.

🌎 Where It's Used

🇪🇸

Spain

Extremely common and universally understood.

🌎

Latin America

Very common and widely understood across most countries.

🔗 Related Idioms

↔️Similar Meanings

ir con tiento

To proceed with caution or tact

curarse en salud

To play it safe, to take precautions beforehand

⇆Opposite Meanings

tirarse a la piscina

To take the plunge, to act recklessly

a tontas y a locas

To do something haphazardly or without thinking

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: Andar con pies de plomo

Question 1 of 1

If your colleague tells you to 'andar con pies de plomo' about a new client, what do they mean?

🏷️ Tags

Body PartsBehavioral & CharacterCommonly Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'andar con pies de plomo' a negative expression?

Not at all. It's usually sound advice. It simply acknowledges that a situation is delicate and requires prudence and careful thought to avoid problems. It's about being smart and cautious, not necessarily fearful or negative.