ah-SEHR la PA-ta AN-cha
Literally, this means 'to make the leg wide'.
In reality, it means to stand your ground and be firm.
Querían que me fuera, pero hice la pata ancha y me quedé hasta que me atendieron.
B2They wanted me to leave, but I stood my ground and stayed until they helped me.
No dejes que tu compañero de piso haga la pata ancha y ocupe todo el espacio en la nevera.
C1Don't let your roommate throw his weight around and take up all the space in the fridge.
This expression paints a picture of an animal, like a horse or a bull. When these animals want to be impossible to move, they plant their legs ('patas') far apart, creating a wide, stable base. Think of a stubborn mule refusing to budge! We use this image to talk about a person who is being equally firm and unmovable in their position.
Use this idiom to describe someone being firm. The tone can be positive (defending your rights) or negative (being pushy and unreasonable). The context tells you which it is.
Remember, 'making the leg wide' is a metaphor for a strong stance or a firm will. It has nothing to do with a person's physical size.
Mistake: “'Hacer la pierna ancha.'”
Correction: The idiom always uses 'pata'. While 'pierna' is the correct word for a human leg, 'pata' (animal leg/paw) gives the phrase its rustic, informal, and stubborn flavor. Stick with 'pata'.
Very common and widely used in everyday conversation.
Also common and well-understood.
It is understood, but less common. Spanish speakers might prefer expressions like 'plantarse' or 'ponerse firme'.
Question 1 of 1
If your friend 'hace la pata ancha' during an argument, what is she doing?
Want to sound more natural when using this idiom? Practice your Spanish pronunciation with our collection of tongue twisters.
Browse Spanish Tongue Twisters →Idioms make sense in context. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see idioms used naturally by characters — and build the ear native speakers have.
It can be, depending on the situation. If you use it to describe someone defending their rights, it's neutral or even positive. If you use it to describe someone being a bully or unreasonably stubborn, it's negative. Tone and context are everything!
