Hacer el agosto
/ah-SEHR el ah-GOHS-toh/
To make a lot of money quickly, often by taking advantage of a specific situation; to make a killing.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, this means 'to make the August'.
In practice, it means to make a big profit in a short time, like cashing in on a peak season.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
Con la venta de helados en la playa, la tienda hizo su agosto.
B2By selling ice cream on the beach, the shop made a killing.
Los fabricantes de mascarillas hicieron el agosto al principio de la pandemia.
C1The face mask manufacturers made a killing at the beginning of the pandemic.
Cada diciembre, las jugueterías hacen su agosto con las compras navideñas.
B2Every December, the toy stores cash in on Christmas shopping.
📜 Origin Story
This phrase comes from Spain's old farming culture. August was the month of the harvest ('la cosecha'). Farmers worked all year, but it was in August that they finally sold their crops and collected most of their income for the entire year. It was their big payday, the month they 'made' their fortune.
⭐ Usage Tips
Think 'Peak Season'
Use this idiom for any situation where someone earns a lot of money in a short period by seizing an opportunity. It's perfect for seasonal businesses (like a ski resort in winter) but also works for any sudden boom, like a hit movie or a viral product.
❌ Common Pitfalls
It's Not Just for August
Mistake: "Thinking the idiom can only be used for profitable things that happen in the month of August."
Correction: While the name comes from the month of the harvest, you can use 'hacer el agosto' for any time of year. A toy store 'hace su agosto' in December, and a tax accountant might 'hacer su agosto' in April.
🌎 Where It's Used
Spain
Extremely common and originates from Spanish agricultural traditions. Widely understood by everyone.
Latin America
It is understood in many countries, particularly in the Southern Cone (Argentina, Uruguay, Chile), but it's less common than in Spain. Local expressions for making a quick profit are often preferred.
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: Hacer el agosto
Question 1 of 1
A shop sold thousands of fans during a sudden heatwave. What did the shop do?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'hacer el agosto' have a negative connotation?
It can, but not always. It can simply mean having a very profitable season. However, it can also imply that someone is being opportunistic or even price-gouging to make a profit. The tone and context are key to understanding the speaker's intent.