Spanish Clothing Idioms
Master 11 authentic Spanish expressions about clothing with meanings, examples, and pronunciation guidance
Understanding Spanish Clothing Idioms
Spanish clothing idioms use apparel to express personal identity, social situations, and life circumstances. From "ponerse las pilas" (to get energized, literally "to put on the batteries") to "quedarse en bragas" (to lose everything), clothing metaphors help Spanish speakers describe transformations and states of being.
When to Use These Expressions
Clothing idioms appear when discussing preparation, social status, personal changes, or financial situations. They're common in advice-giving, personal narratives, and descriptions of success or failure.
Learning Tips for Clothing Idioms
- Learn historical context—many reference old garments or customs
- Note which clothing items appear most frequently in idioms
- Practice idioms about getting dressed/undressed as metaphors for preparation
- Connect clothing idioms to actual wardrobe experiences for memory
Most Common Clothing Idioms
Start with these high-frequency expressions used daily by native speakers
Andar de capa caída
★★★★☆Literal: "To walk with a fallen cape"
Meaning: To be down in the dumps, disheartened, demoralized, or going through a rough patch.
Aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda
★★★★☆Literal: "Even if the monkey dresses in silk, a monkey she remains."
Meaning: 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.
Chupar las medias
★★★★☆Literal: "To suck the socks"
Meaning: To suck up to someone, to flatter someone insincerely for personal gain.
Complete List of Clothing Idioms
A capa y espada
"With cape and sword"
To defend something or someone fiercely, with great determination and conviction.
Al que le quepa el saco, que se lo ponga
"To whom the sack fits, let them put it on."
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.
Andar de capa caída
"To walk with a fallen cape"
To be down in the dumps, disheartened, demoralized, or going through a rough patch.
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.
Bajarse los pantalones
"To lower one's pants."
To give in, surrender, or yield to demands, often in a humiliating or weak way.
Chupar las medias
"To suck the socks"
To suck up to someone, to flatter someone insincerely for personal gain.
Con el cuchillo abajo del poncho
"With the knife under the poncho."
To act with hidden, treacherous, or hostile intentions; to be secretive and prepared for conflict while appearing calm.
Estar hasta las chanclas
"To be up to the flip-flops."
To be extremely drunk; wasted. It can also mean to be completely fed up with something.
Meterse en camisa de once varas
"To get into a shirt of eleven 'varas' (rods)"
To get involved in a complicated, difficult situation, often unnecessarily; to bite off more than you can chew.
Mostrar la hilacha
"To show the loose thread"
To reveal one's true, and usually negative, character, flaws, or intentions.
Ponerse las botas
"To put on the boots"
To indulge, feast, or profit greatly from a situation; to have a field day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spanish Clothing Idioms
What are common Spanish clothing idioms?
Common Spanish clothing idioms include "tomar el pelo" (to pull someone's leg), "ponerse las pilas" (to get motivated), "quedarse en bragas/calzoncillos" (to lose everything), "meterse en camisa de once varas" (to bite off more than one can chew), and "hacerse un traje a medida" (to tailor something to fit). These use clothing as metaphors for various situations.
Why does Spanish use clothing in idioms?
Clothing idioms reflect how garments signify social status, preparation, and identity. Historically, what you wore indicated your social class, profession, and readiness for different situations. These associations created natural metaphors for describing personal states and circumstances.
Have more questions about learning Spanish idioms? Browse our complete idiom guide.
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