Spanish Body Part Idioms
Master 34 authentic Spanish expressions about body parts with meanings, examples, and pronunciation guidance
Understanding Spanish Body Parts Idioms
Spanish body part idioms are among the most frequently used expressions in the language. From "meter la pata" (to make a mistake, literally "to put in the foot") to "tener vista" (to have good judgment), these phrases use physical imagery to describe behaviors, emotions, and situations. They're essential for natural, fluent Spanish conversation.
When to Use These Expressions
Body part idioms appear constantly in everyday Spanish. They describe personality traits, actions, emotions, and social behaviors. Native speakers use these expressions unconsciously, making them crucial for anyone seeking conversational fluency.
Learning Tips for Body Parts Idioms
- Group idioms by body part (hand, foot, head) for easier memorization
- Practice gestures that often accompany these expressions
- Note which body parts appear most—this reveals cultural thinking patterns
- Use them immediately in conversation to build muscle memory
Most Common Body Parts Idioms
Start with these high-frequency expressions used daily by native speakers
Comerse el coco
★★★★★Literal: "To eat one's coconut"
Meaning: To overthink, worry excessively, or rack one's brain about something.
Costar un ojo de la cara
★★★★★Literal: "To cost an eye of the face"
Meaning: To be very expensive.
Dormir a pierna suelta
★★★★★Literal: "To sleep with a loose leg"
Meaning: To sleep very deeply and peacefully, without any worries.
Complete List of Body Parts Idioms
Andar con pies de plomo
"To walk with feet of lead"
To act with great caution, to be very careful, or to proceed slowly and deliberately in a delicate situation.
Caerse los anillos
"For one's rings to fall off"
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.
Comerse el coco
"To eat one's coconut"
To overthink, worry excessively, or rack one's brain about something.
Con el cuchillo entre los dientes
"With the knife between the teeth"
To do something with fierce determination, aggression, or a competitive spirit.
Costar un ojo de la cara
"To cost an eye of the face"
To be very expensive.
Creerse el ombligo del mundo
"To believe oneself to be the belly button of the world"
To be self-centered and arrogant, acting as if you are the most important person in existence.
Dormir a pierna suelta
"To sleep with a loose leg"
To sleep very deeply and peacefully, without any worries.
Echar una mano
"To throw a hand"
To help someone out, to lend a hand.
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.
Estar en pelotas
"To be in balls"
To be completely naked or stark-naked. It can also mean to be completely clueless or ignorant about a subject.
Estar hasta las manos
"To be up to the hands"
To be extremely busy, swamped with work, or deeply involved in a complicated situation.
Estar hasta las narices
"To be up to the noses"
To be completely fed up with something or someone; to be sick and tired of a situation.
Estar más sano que un roble
"To be healthier than an oak tree"
To be in excellent health; to be very healthy, robust, and strong.
Hablar por los codos
"To speak through the elbows"
To talk a lot; to be very chatty or talkative.
Hacer la pata ancha
"To make the paw/leg wide."
To stand one's ground, be firm, or impose one's will, often in a stubborn or assertive way.
Hacer la vista gorda
"To make the sight fat"
To pretend not to see something; to intentionally ignore a wrongdoing or problem.
Le cortaron las piernas
"They cut off his/her legs."
To suddenly and unfairly destroy someone's hopes, dreams, or chances of success, especially when they were close to achieving a goal.
Meter la pata
"To put the paw/leg in"
To make a mistake, say something inappropriate, or screw up. To put your foot in your mouth.
No dar el brazo a torcer
"To not give the arm to twist."
To not give in, back down, or change one's opinion; to be stubborn or stand one's ground.
No dar pie con bola
"To not give foot with ball"
To not get anything right; to be clumsy or screw up repeatedly.
No hay peor ciego que el que no quiere ver
"There is no worse blind person than the one who doesn't want to see."
Refers to someone who willfully ignores an obvious truth, reality, or problem because it is easier or more comfortable than facing it.
No tener dos dedos de frente
"To not have two fingers of forehead"
To be unintelligent, lack common sense, or be foolish.
No tener ni pies ni cabeza
"To have neither feet nor head"
To make no sense; to be completely illogical or nonsensical.
No tener pelos en la lengua
"To not have hairs on the tongue"
To be blunt, direct, and outspoken; to say what you think without filtering it.
Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente
"Eyes that don't see, heart that doesn't feel."
You don't suffer or worry about things you are unaware of.
Parar la oreja
"To stop the ear"
To listen attentively, pay close attention, or eavesdrop.
Pararse de manos
"To stand on one's hands"
To make a great effort, go to great lengths, or bend over backwards to achieve something or please someone.
Planchar la oreja
"To iron the ear"
To go to sleep; to hit the sack.
Poner los cuernos
"To put the horns on"
To be unfaithful to one's romantic partner; to cheat on someone.
Poner pies en polvorosa
"To put feet in dusty/powdery ground"
To flee quickly, to beat a hasty retreat, to skedaddle.
Ponerse morado
"To turn purple"
To eat a lot of something; to stuff oneself with food; to pig out.
Quedarse frito
"To stay/get fried"
To fall fast asleep; to conk out or crash.
Tener mucho morro
"To have a lot of snout"
To be shameless, cheeky, or to have a lot of nerve. It describes someone who acts in their own self-interest without embarrassment, often at the expense of others.
Tomar el pelo
"To take the hair"
To tease someone, pull their leg, or trick them in a playful way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spanish Body Parts Idioms
What are the most common Spanish body part idioms?
The most common Spanish body part idioms include "meter la pata" (to make a mistake), "costar un ojo de la cara" (to be expensive), "no tener pelos en la lengua" (to be blunt), "tomar el pelo" (to pull someone's leg), and "tener mano izquierda" (to be tactful). These are used daily throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
Why does Spanish use so many body part idioms?
Spanish uses many body part idioms because they create vivid, memorable imagery. This pattern reflects historical beliefs about physiology and character, dating back to medieval medicine and folk wisdom. Using concrete physical imagery to express abstract ideas is a common feature of Romance languages.
Do Spanish body part idioms translate directly to English?
Some Spanish body part idioms have similar English equivalents (like "costar un brazo" similar to "cost an arm and a leg"), but many don't translate directly. For example, "meter la pata" (to put in the foot) means to make a mistake, while English says "put your foot in your mouth" for a different meaning.
Have more questions about learning Spanish idioms? Browse our complete idiom guide.
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