Comerse el coco
/koh-MEHR-seh el KOH-koh/
To overthink, worry excessively, or rack one's brain about something.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, this means 'to eat one's coconut'.
In reality, it means to worry too much or overthink a problem.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
Deja de comerte el coco por el examen, ya has estudiado suficiente.
B2Stop overthinking the exam, you've already studied enough.
Me estoy comiendo el coco para encontrar el regalo perfecto para su cumpleaños.
B2I'm racking my brain trying to find the perfect gift for her birthday.
No te comas el coco, todo saldrá bien.
B1Don't worry yourself sick, everything will turn out fine.
📜 Origin Story
In Spanish slang, 'el coco' is a very common, informal word for 'head', much like 'noggin' in English. The idiom paints a vivid picture of your own thoughts 'eating away' at your head from the inside. It captures that feeling of being consumed by a worry or a problem, where your mind just chews on it endlessly without finding a solution.
⭐ Usage Tips
It's All About You
This is a reflexive verb, which means you do it to yourself. That little 'se' in 'comerse' is crucial. It changes depending on who is overthinking: 'Me como el coco' (I'm overthinking), 'Te comes el coco' (You're overthinking), etc. Without it, you're just talking about eating a coconut!
For Worries and Puzzles
Use it when you're stuck in a mental loop. It's perfect for describing both anxious worrying about something you can't control and intense thinking to solve a difficult problem.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'se'
Mistake: "Saying 'Estoy comiendo el coco' when you mean you are worrying."
Correction: Always include the reflexive part: 'Me estoy comiendo el coco'. Without 'me', 'te', or 'se', the phrase loses its idiomatic meaning and sounds like you are literally eating the tropical fruit.
🌎 Where It's Used
Spain
Extremely common in everyday, informal conversation. It's a staple of Spanish slang.
Latin America
It's understood in many countries but is far less common than in Spain. People are more likely to use expressions like 'romperse la cabeza' (to break one's head) or 'darse manija' (in Argentina).
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: Comerse el coco
Question 1 of 1
If your Spanish friend says, 'Anoche no dormí, me estuve comiendo el coco', what do they mean?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'comerse el coco' considered a negative expression?
Mostly, yes. It implies a level of stress, anxiety, or unproductive thinking. While you can use it more neutrally for 'racking your brain' to solve a puzzle, its most common use is for worrying.
Can I use this in a formal situation, like a business meeting?
It's best not to. This is a very informal, colloquial expression. In a formal setting, you would be better off using phrases like 'reflexionar profundamente' (to reflect deeply) or 'considerar detenidamente' (to consider carefully).