Hacer de chivo los tamales
/ah-SEHR deh CHEE-voh lohs tah-MAH-lehs/
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, this means 'to make the tamales out of goat'.
In reality, it means to be unfaithful or to cheat on a romantic partner.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
Me enteré de que mi novio me estaba haciendo de chivo los tamales con mi mejor amiga.
C1I found out my boyfriend was cheating on me with my best friend.
Ten cuidado con él, tiene fama de hacerle de chivo los tamales a todas sus novias.
C1Be careful with him, he has a reputation for cheating on all his girlfriends.
📜 Origin Story
This colorful idiom comes straight from Mexican kitchens. Tamales are a beloved traditional dish, usually made with pork or chicken. Goat meat ('chivo') has a much stronger, gamier flavor and was often seen as a cheaper, lower-quality substitute. The phrase imagines a dishonest cook who secretly uses cheap goat meat while claiming it's the more expensive pork. The customer is deceived and cheated. This feeling of being tricked with a cheap substitute perfectly mirrors the feeling of discovering a partner's infidelity.
⭐ Usage Tips
Specifically for Romantic Betrayal
This idiom is almost exclusively used to talk about cheating on a romantic partner. It's a very specific and vivid way to describe infidelity, not general lying.
Sound Like a Local in Mexico
While it might be understood in some other Latin American countries, this phrase is quintessentially Mexican. Using it will show a deep familiarity with Mexican culture and slang.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Not for General Deception
Mistake: “Using this phrase for any kind of lie, like a friend lying about their age.”
Correction: Reserve this phrase for romantic infidelity. For general lying or deceiving, it's better to use more direct verbs like 'engañar' (to deceive) or 'mentir' (to lie).
📚 Related Grammar
Want to understand the grammar behind this idiom? Explore these lessons for a deep dive:
B1 Indirect Object Pronouns (me, te, le)
This idiom almost always requires an indirect object pronoun like 'me' or 'le' attached to the verb to indicate who is being cheated on, as seen in the phrase 'hacerle de chivo los tamales'.
The Present Progressive ('estar' + gerund)
The first example uses the past progressive tense, 'me estaba haciendo,' which shows that the action of cheating was ongoing when the speaker discovered it.
🌎 Where It''s Used
Mexico
Extremely common and instantly understood. It's a hallmark of Mexican colloquial speech.
Central America
Understood in some countries due to cultural overlap with Mexico, but may not be as commonly used.
Spain
Largely unknown. A Spaniard would likely not understand this idiom without an explanation.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: Hacer de chivo los tamales
Question 1 of 1
If someone says 'Su esposo le hace de chivo los tamales', what does it mean?
🗣️ Practice Pronunciation
Want to sound more natural when using this idiom? Practice your Spanish pronunciation with our collection of tongue twisters.
Browse Spanish Tongue Twisters →🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this idiom be used for any gender?
Yes, absolutely. It's used regardless of gender. You can say 'él le hace de chivo los tamales a ella' (he is cheating on her) or 'ella le hace de chivo los tamales a él' (she is cheating on him).