Le cortaron las piernas
/leh kor-TAH-ron lahs PYER-nahs/
To suddenly and unfairly destroy someone's hopes, dreams, or chances of success, especially when they were close to achieving a goal.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, this means 'they cut off his/her legs'.
In reality, it means to have your dreams and opportunities unfairly taken away.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
El equipo iba a ganar, pero la expulsión de su capitán les cortó las piernas.
C1The team was going to win, but their captain's ejection from the game cut them off at the knees.
Estaba a punto de conseguir el ascenso, pero el nuevo jefe contrató a su amigo y me cortó las piernas.
C1I was about to get the promotion, but the new boss hired his friend and pulled the rug out from under me.
Yo me preparé, nunca me drogué, pero me cortaron las piernas.
C1I prepared myself, I never took drugs, but they cut my legs off.
📜 Origin Story
This phrase was made world-famous by Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona. During the 1994 World Cup, he was kicked out of the tournament for a failed drug test, which he claimed was a mistake. In an emotional interview, he said, 'Créeme que me cortaron las piernas' ('Believe me, they cut off my legs'). He wasn't speaking literally; he meant that the organizers had destroyed his dream and his ability to compete. The phrase perfectly captured the feeling of having success unfairly snatched away and has been iconic ever since.
⭐ Usage Tips
For Major Setbacks
This isn't for small disappointments. Use it when a big dream, a major project, or a significant life chance is ruined by an external and often unfair force.
The Victim is the Focus
The phrase always changes to show who was affected. 'Me cortaron las piernas' (They cut MY legs off). 'Le cortaron las piernas' (They cut HIS/HER legs off). 'Nos cortaron las piernas' (They cut OUR legs off). The person or group who did the 'cutting' is often an anonymous 'they'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't Use it for Self-Sabotage
Mistake: "Me corté las piernas al no estudiar para el examen."
Correction: This idiom implies an outside force is to blame. If you caused your own failure, it's better to say 'Metí la pata' (I messed up) or 'Yo mismo lo arruiné' (I ruined it myself).
🌎 Where It's Used
Latin America
Extremely common and emotionally resonant, especially in Argentina and other soccer-loving countries, due to its origin with Maradona. Widely understood everywhere.
Spain
Well-understood and frequently used, particularly in sports journalism, but may not carry the same deep cultural weight as in Argentina.
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: Le cortaron las piernas
Question 1 of 1
If a politician says, 'Con esta nueva ley, le cortaron las piernas a los pequeños negocios,' what does she mean?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'le cortaron las piernas' only used for sports?
No, not at all. While it became famous through soccer, it's now widely used in many other contexts like business, politics, or personal projects. Any time a major dream is unfairly shattered by an outside force, this idiom can apply.
Does this idiom sound very dramatic?
Yes, it carries a strong sense of injustice and drama. It's not something you'd use for a minor inconvenience. It's reserved for situations that feel like a great, unfair loss of opportunity.