Meter la mula
/meh-TEHR la MOO-lah/
To trick someone, lie, or pass off something of poor quality as good; to swindle or deceive.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, this phrase means 'to put the mule in'.
In reality, it means to trick or deceive someone, especially when selling something.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
El mecánico intentó meterme la mula con una reparación que no necesitaba.
C1The mechanic tried to rip me off with a repair I didn't need.
¡No me metas la mula! Sé perfectamente que ese reloj es falso.
B2Don't try to pull a fast one on me! I know perfectly well that watch is fake.
Le metieron la mula y compró un coche que se estropeó a la semana.
C1They ripped him off and he bought a car that broke down within a week.
📜 Origin Story
This expression likely comes from the world of old-time millers or smugglers. Mules were essential for transporting goods, like grain to a mill. A dishonest miller might try to keep some of the flour for himself, or a smuggler would hide illegal goods among the legitimate cargo on the mule's back. So, 'meter la mula' became a way to talk about sneaking something false or dishonest past someone, just like slipping contraband into a mule's pack.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use it for Deception
This idiom is perfect for situations involving trickery, scams, or lies, especially in commercial contexts like being overcharged or sold a faulty product. It has a strong negative connotation of being intentionally swindled.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Not for a Simple Mistake
Mistake: "Using 'meter la mula' when someone makes an honest error, like giving you the wrong change by accident."
Correction: This phrase implies intentional deception. If it's an honest mistake, you would say 'se equivocó' (he/she made a mistake). 'Meter la mula' means they tried to cheat you on purpose.
🌎 Where It's Used
Spain
Very common, especially in colloquial speech. Widely understood.
Latin America
Understood in some countries, but often less common than in Spain. Local alternatives for being ripped off, like 'meter el perro' (in Chile/Peru) or 'verle la cara a alguien', are frequently used.
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: Meter la mula
Question 1 of 1
If a salesperson 'te mete la mula', what has happened?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'meter la mula' the same as 'tomar el pelo'?
No, they are very different. 'Tomar el pelo' is playful teasing, like 'pulling someone's leg'. 'Meter la mula' is much more serious; it implies malicious deception, lying, or scamming someone for personal gain.