Spanish House & Home Idioms
Master 11 authentic Spanish expressions about house & home with meanings, examples, and pronunciation guidance
Understanding Spanish House & Home Idioms
Spanish house and home idioms reflect the importance of domestic life and family spaces in Hispanic culture. Expressions like "estar como en casa" (to feel at home) and "tirar la casa por la ventana" (to spare no expense, literally "throw the house out the window") show how home concepts shape everyday language about comfort, hospitality, and belonging.
When to Use These Expressions
Home idioms are used when discussing comfort, hospitality, family life, and belonging. They appear in social situations, when inviting guests, describing feeling comfortable or uncomfortable, and discussing domestic matters.
Learning Tips for House & Home Idioms
- Connect home idioms to your own domestic experiences
- Note the cultural importance of hospitality in Spanish-speaking cultures
- Learn idioms about different rooms and their metaphorical meanings
- Practice using these to make guests feel welcome
Most Common House & Home Idioms
Start with these high-frequency expressions used daily by native speakers
Tirar la casa por la ventana
★★★★★Literal: "To throw the house out the window"
Meaning: To spend a lot of money lavishly, especially on a celebration or a large purchase; to spare no expense.
Bajar la persiana
★★★★☆Literal: "To lower the shutter"
Meaning: To close down a business for good; to go out of business.
Como Pedro por su casa
★★★★☆Literal: "Like Pedro through his house"
Meaning: To act with complete confidence and ease in an unfamiliar place, as if you own it. It can also mean to do something very easily.
Complete List of House & Home Idioms
Atar con alambre
"To tie with wire"
To do a quick, temporary, or shoddy repair; to patch something up in a makeshift way.
Bajar la persiana
"To lower the shutter"
To close down a business for good; to go out of business.
Como Pedro por su casa
"Like Pedro through his house"
To act with complete confidence and ease in an unfamiliar place, as if you own it. It can also mean to do something very easily.
Estar como una regadera
"To be like a watering can"
To be crazy, eccentric, or out of one's mind in a quirky or silly way.
Estar en el horno
"To be in the oven"
To be in big trouble, in a hopeless situation, or done for.
Hacer la cama
"To do the bed / To make the bed"
To frame someone for a crime or wrongdoing; to set someone up to fail.
Jarrito nuevo, ¿dónde te pondré?
"New little jug, where will I put you?"
Describes the excessive enthusiasm and special care given to a new possession, relationship, or hobby, with the implication that this excitement will eventually fade.
Parar la olla
"To stop the pot."
To earn enough money to live; to provide for oneself or one's family; to make ends meet.
Planchar la oreja
"To iron the ear"
To go to sleep; to hit the sack.
Tener la sartén por el mango
"To have the frying pan by the handle"
To be in control of a situation; to have the upper hand.
Tirar la casa por la ventana
"To throw the house out the window"
To spend a lot of money lavishly, especially on a celebration or a large purchase; to spare no expense.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spanish House & Home Idioms
What are Spanish idioms about house and home?
Spanish house and home idioms include "estar como en casa" (to feel at home), "tirar la casa por la ventana" (to spare no expense), "tener la casa patas arriba" (to have the house in chaos), and "cada uno en su casa y Dios en la de todos" (everyone in their own home, God in everyone's). These reflect the centrality of home in Hispanic culture.
How do Spanish speakers use home idioms for hospitality?
Spanish speakers frequently use "estar como en casa" (make yourself at home) to welcome guests. The concept of home as a sacred, welcoming space is stronger in Hispanic cultures than in some others, making these idioms particularly important for social interactions and showing hospitality.
Have more questions about learning Spanish idioms? Browse our complete idiom guide.
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