Nadar y ahogarse en la orilla
/nah-DAR ee ah-oh-GAR-seh en la oh-REE-yah/
To fail at the very last moment after having completed all the hard work; to give up when success is just within reach.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, this means 'to swim and drown on the shore'.
It means to fail right at the end after putting in a huge amount of effort.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
Estudié todo el semestre, pero me puse nervioso y no fui al examen final. Fue como nadar y ahogarse en la orilla.
B2I studied the whole semester, but I got nervous and didn't go to the final exam. It was like falling at the final hurdle.
El equipo jugó un partido increíble, pero les marcaron un gol en el último minuto. ¡Se ahogaron en la orilla!
B2The team played an incredible game, but a goal was scored against them in the last minute. They snatched defeat from the jaws of victory!
📜 Origin Story
This idiom comes from a powerful and ironic visual. Imagine someone swimming across a huge, dangerous ocean or river, overcoming all the challenges, only to drown in the shallow water right at the shore where they should be safe. The phrase captures the immense frustration and tragedy of failing when the hardest part is over and the goal is just inches away.
⭐ Usage Tips
For 'So Close!' Moments
Use this idiom to express frustration when a huge effort results in failure right at the end. It's perfect for projects, competitions, or any long-term goal that was almost achieved.
As a Warning
You can also use it to encourage someone not to give up. For example: 'Ya casi terminas, ¡no te vayas a ahogar en la orilla!' (You're almost done, don't give up at the last minute!).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Not for Early Problems
Mistake: "Using the phrase to describe a problem that happens at the beginning of a task."
Correction: This idiom is only for failures that happen at the very end of a process. For starting problems, you might say something like 'empezar con el pie izquierdo' (to start on the wrong foot).
🌎 Where It's Used
Spain
Extremely common and universally understood.
Latin America
Widely used and understood across most countries. It's a standard, recognizable expression.
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: Nadar y ahogarse en la orilla
Question 1 of 1
Your friend ran a marathon but stopped 10 meters from the finish line. Which idiom best describes this situation?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'nadar y ahogarse en la orilla' always negative?
Yes, this idiom is exclusively negative. It always describes a frustrating and often ironic failure. It's used to lament a situation, not to celebrate anything.