Idiomatic Expressions (Leaving Cert Spanish): Revision Notes
Idiomatic expressions in Spanish writing
What are idiomatic expressions?
Idiomatic expressions (expresiones idiomáticas) are fixed phrases whose meaning cannot be understood by translating each word literally. They are essential for making your Spanish writing sound natural and fluent, just like a native speaker. In exam writing tasks, using appropriate idiomatic expressions demonstrates advanced language skills and cultural understanding.
These expressions are particularly valuable in informal writing tasks such as personal letters, emails to friends, blog posts, and creative writing pieces. However, you must be careful about register - some expressions are too informal for formal letters or academic writing.
Guidelines for using idiomatic expressions
When incorporating idiomatic expressions into your Spanish writing, follow these key principles:
Choose appropriate register: Informal expressions like hablar por los codos (to talk a lot) work well in personal emails but not in formal business letters. Always match your expressions to the writing task's level of formality.
Use them naturally: Don't force idiomatic expressions into your writing just to show off. They should fit naturally within the context and enhance your message rather than distract from it.
Learn them as complete units: Never try to translate these expressions word-for-word. Instead, memorise the entire phrase and its English equivalent meaning.
Practice in context: The best way to master these expressions is to see them used in authentic Spanish texts and practice incorporating them into your own writing.
Phrase bank
The following essential idiomatic expressions are organised by common themes to help you remember them more easily. Focus on learning the complete Spanish expression alongside its English meaning and appropriate usage context.
| Spanish Expression | English Meaning | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|
| Body parts | ||
| arrimar el hombro | to put one's shoulder to the wheel | encouraging teamwork |
| costar un ojo de la cara | to cost an arm and a leg | complaining about prices |
| meter la pata | to put one's foot in it | admitting mistakes |
| perder la cabeza | to lose one's head/senses | describing emotional reactions |
| mira por encima del hombro | to look down one's nose | describing arrogant behaviour |
| Animals | ||
| coger al toro por los cuernos | to take the bull by the horns | facing problems directly |
| matar dos pájaros de un tiro | to kill two birds with one stone | describing efficiency |
| Colours | ||
| poner verde | to badmouth someone | informal criticism |
| ponerse colorado/a | to blush | describing embarrassment |
| príncipe azul | prince charming | romantic contexts |
| Common situations | ||
| al pie de la letra | to the letter | following instructions exactly |
| dar por sentado | to take for granted | expressing assumptions |
| más vale tarde que nunca | better late than never | excusing delays |
| estar en el mismo barco | to be in the same boat | sharing difficulties |
| quedarse en blanco | to go blank | describing memory lapses |
Sample answers
Worked Example: Informal email to a friend
¡Hola María!
Te escribo para contarte lo que me pasó ayer. Tenía un examen muy importante de matemáticas y cuando llegué a clase, me quedé en blanco completamente. No recordaba nada de lo que había estudiado. Al final decidí coger al toro por los cuernos y intentar responder lo que pude. Espero que no haya sido tan malo como creo.
Mi hermano dice que más vale tarde que nunca para estudiar, pero yo creo que más vale prevenir que curar. La próxima vez voy a estudiar con más tiempo.
Un abrazo, Ana
Key features: This email uses informal register appropriately (quedarse en blanco, coger al toro por los cuernos) and incorporates expressions naturally into the narrative flow.
Worked Example: Blog post about university life
La vida universitaria: consejos para nuevos estudiantes
Cuando empecé la universidad, pensé que sería fácil porque siempre había sido buen estudiante en el instituto. Pero pronto descubrí que no tenía ni pies ni cabeza mi planificación. Estaba completamente perdida.
El primer consejo que os doy es: no os durmáis en los laureles. El éxito pasado no garantiza el éxito futuro. También es importante no empezar la casa por el tejado - estableced una rutina de estudio desde el principio.
Recordad que todos estamos en el mismo barco. Si tenéis dificultades, hablad con vuestros compañeros y profesores. Al fin y al cabo, más vale malo conocido que bueno por conocer.
Key features: This blog post maintains a friendly but informative tone, using expressions that connect with young readers while providing practical advice.
Common mistakes and tips
Mistake 1: Literal translation ❌ Taking the bull for the horns ✅ Coger al toro por los cuernos
Tip: Always learn the complete Spanish expression, not a word-for-word translation from English.
Mistake 2: Wrong register ❌ Using hablar por los codos in a formal business letter ✅ Using this expression in casual conversation or informal writing
Tip: Consider your audience and the formality level required for your writing task.
Mistake 3: Overusing expressions ❌ Cramming multiple idiomatic expressions into one paragraph unnaturally ✅ Using one or two expressions that genuinely enhance your message
Tip: Quality over quantity - use expressions only when they add value to your writing.
Mistake 4: Incorrect verb forms ❌ Coger el toro por los cuernos (missing 'al') ✅ Coger al toro por los cuernos
Tip: Pay attention to prepositions and articles within expressions - they're fixed and cannot be changed.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Idiomatic expressions make your Spanish writing sound natural and sophisticated
- Always match the register of your expressions to your writing task
- Learn expressions as complete units, never translate them literally
- Practice using them in context rather than memorising lists
- When in doubt about appropriateness, choose simpler, more direct language instead