Spanish Animal Idioms
Master 27 authentic Spanish expressions about animals with meanings, examples, and pronunciation guidance
Understanding Spanish Animals Idioms
Spanish animal idioms draw on characteristics attributed to creatures in Hispanic folklore and rural traditions. Expressions like "ser un zorro" (to be cunning) and "estar como una cabra" (to be crazy) colorfully describe human behavior using animal metaphors. These idioms reflect Spain and Latin America's agricultural heritage and relationship with nature.
When to Use These Expressions
Animal idioms are used to describe personality traits, behaviors, and situations in both playful and serious contexts. They're common in storytelling, character descriptions, and everyday observations about people's behavior.
Learning Tips for Animals Idioms
- Compare Spanish animal associations with English ones—they often differ
- Learn which animals are viewed positively vs. negatively in Hispanic culture
- Study regional variations: some animals are more relevant in certain countries
- Use them to make your descriptions more colorful and memorable
Most Common Animals Idioms
Start with these high-frequency expressions used daily by native speakers
Cuando el gato no está, los ratones hacen fiesta
★★★★★Literal: "When the cat isn't here, the mice have a party."
Meaning: When the person in charge is away, people will do as they please, relax the rules, or misbehave.
En boca cerrada no entran moscas
★★★★★Literal: "In a closed mouth, flies do not enter."
Meaning: It's better to stay quiet to avoid saying something foolish, revealing a secret, or getting into trouble.
Estar como pez en el agua
★★★★★Literal: "To be like a fish in the water"
Meaning: To feel very comfortable or at ease in a particular situation; to be in one's element.
Complete List of Animals Idioms
A caballo regalado no le mires el diente
"To a gifted horse, don't look at its tooth."
Don't be ungrateful or find fault with something you have received as a gift or a favor.
A cada cerdo le llega su San Martín
"To every pig comes its Saint Martin."
Everyone eventually gets what they deserve or faces the consequences of their actions; a day of reckoning will come.
A cada chancho le llega su San Martín
"To every pig comes its Saint Martin."
Everyone eventually gets what they deserve; there is a day of reckoning for those who do wrong.
Aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda
"Even if the monkey dresses in silk, a monkey she remains."
You can't change the fundamental nature of something or someone just by changing their outward appearance. Superficial changes don't alter one's true essence.
Como el perro de las dos tortas
"Like the dog of the two cakes"
To be caught between two choices and lose both due to indecision or greed.
Cuando el gato no está, los ratones hacen fiesta
"When the cat isn't here, the mice have a party."
When the person in charge is away, people will do as they please, relax the rules, or misbehave.
Dar el gatazo
"To give the big cat-smack"
To deceive someone by making a low-quality or fake item look authentic and valuable.
Dar gato por liebre
"To give cat for hare"
To deceive someone by giving them something of lower quality than what was promised or expected.
Dormir la mona
"To sleep the female monkey"
To sleep off a period of drunkenness; to sleep while drunk to recover.
En boca cerrada no entran moscas
"In a closed mouth, flies do not enter."
It's better to stay quiet to avoid saying something foolish, revealing a secret, or getting into trouble.
Escaparse la tortuga
"For the turtle to escape."
To make a blunder, say something foolish or inappropriate by accident, or to lose one's train of thought.
Estar al loro
"To be at the parrot"
To be alert, aware, on the lookout, or in the know.
Estar como pez en el agua
"To be like a fish in the water"
To feel very comfortable or at ease in a particular situation; to be in one's element.
Estar como una cabra
"To be like a goat"
To be crazy, eccentric, or act in a wild and unpredictable way.
Hacer de chivo los tamales
"To make the tamales out of goat meat."
To cheat on a romantic partner; to be unfaithful.
Hacer novillos
"To make young bulls"
To skip school or, less commonly, work; to play hooky.
Hacerse el chancho rengo
"To make oneself the lame pig."
To pretend to be unaware, ignorant, or unable to do something, usually to avoid work or responsibility.
Hacerse perdiz
"To make oneself a partridge."
To disappear, vanish, or make oneself scarce, especially to avoid a responsibility or an unpleasant situation.
Le tiró los galgos
"He/she threw the greyhounds at him/her."
To flirt with, hit on, or make a romantic pass at someone.
Meter la mula
"To put the mule in"
To trick someone, lie, or pass off something of poor quality as good; to swindle or deceive.
Montar un pollo
"To set up a chicken"
To make a scene, cause a commotion, or kick up a fuss, usually in an angry or dramatic way.
No busques la quinta pata al gato
"Don't look for the fifth leg on the cat."
Don't overcomplicate things, look for hidden problems that aren't there, or try to find fault in something that is perfectly fine.
No te hagas el pato
"Don't make yourself the duck."
To pretend you don't know something or aren't involved; to play dumb or feign ignorance.
Pagar el pato
"To pay the duck."
To be unfairly blamed for something; to take the fall or be the scapegoat.
Ponerse como una fiera
"To become like a wild beast"
To get extremely angry; to fly into a rage or become furious.
Por si las moscas
"For if the flies"
To do something 'just in case' or 'to be on the safe side'.
Romper el chanchito
"To break the little pig"
To break open a piggy bank; to spend one's savings, often on something special or for an emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spanish Animals Idioms
What are popular Spanish animal idioms?
Popular Spanish animal idioms include "ser un zorro" (to be cunning/sly), "estar como una cabra" (to be crazy), "ser un gallina" (to be cowardly), "tener memoria de elefante" (to have a great memory), and "dormir como un lirón" (to sleep deeply). These expressions are widely used across Spanish-speaking countries.
Do animal idioms mean the same thing in Spanish and English?
Not always. While some animals have similar associations (foxes are cunning in both languages), others differ. In Spanish, "ser un burro" (being a donkey) means being stubborn or uneducated, while in English, donkeys aren't as commonly used in idioms. Cultural contexts shape these metaphors differently.
Which animals appear most in Spanish idioms?
The most common animals in Spanish idioms are dogs (perro), cats (gato), foxes (zorro), goats (cabra), chickens (gallina), donkeys (burro), and pigs (cerdo). This reflects both domestic animals from Spain's agricultural past and creatures from local folklore and fables.
Have more questions about learning Spanish idioms? Browse our complete idiom guide.
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