Caerse los anillos
/kah-EHR-seh lohs ah-NEE-yohs/
To feel that a task is beneath one's dignity; to be unwilling to do manual or humble work because you feel you are too important.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, this means 'for one's rings to fall off'.
It means you won't lose your dignity by doing a simple or manual task.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
A mi hermana no se le caen los anillos por ayudar en casa, aunque sea abogada.
B2My sister isn't too proud to help around the house, even though she's a lawyer.
Venga, ayúdame a sacar la basura, que no se te van a caer los anillos.
B2Come on, help me take out the trash, it won't kill you.
Parece que al nuevo gerente se le caen los anillos si tiene que hablar con los empleados de la fábrica.
C1It seems the new manager thinks it's beneath him to talk to the factory employees.
📜 Origin Story
This expression comes from a time when rings, especially large, ornate ones, were a clear symbol of nobility and wealth. A person of high social status would never perform manual labor, as it could damage their hands or, even worse, cause them to lose these precious symbols of their rank. The idiom plays on this idea sarcastically, suggesting that doing a humble task in modern times won't actually cause you to lose your 'status'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Almost Always in the Negative
This idiom is overwhelmingly used in negative sentences to persuade or criticize someone. You'll almost always hear it as 'No se te/le van a caer los anillos por...' which means 'Your rings aren't going to fall off for...'.
A Tool for Persuasion or Criticism
Use this phrase to gently encourage a friend to help with a task, or more pointedly, to criticize someone for acting lazy or snobbish. The tone of your voice makes all the difference.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using it in the Affirmative
Mistake: "Saying 'Se me caen los anillos por limpiar el baño' to express that you don't want to do it."
Correction: While people would understand you, it sounds unnatural. The power of this idiom is in its negative, sarcastic form. To simply say you don't want to do something, it's better to be direct: 'No me apetece limpiar el baño' (I don't feel like cleaning the bathroom).
🌎 Where It's Used
Spain
Extremely common and widely understood. It's a go-to phrase in everyday informal conversations.
Latin America
It is understood in many countries, particularly in the Southern Cone (like Argentina), but it's not as widespread or frequent as in Spain. Many countries will have their own local equivalents.
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: Caerse los anillos
Question 1 of 1
If your roommate says 'No se te van a caer los anillos por fregar los platos', what do they mean?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'caerse los anillos' an insult?
It can be, but it's not always. Among friends, it's often a playful or slightly sarcastic way to ask for help. However, if said to a stranger or a superior with a sharp tone, it could definitely be taken as an insult, accusing them of being lazy or arrogant.