21 Funny Spanish Phrases

21 Funny Spanish Phrases

Spanish is a language full of colorful expressions and idioms that often don't translate directly to English. This is also, why I love Spanish.
Here are 21 funny Spanish phrases from various Spanish-speaking countries that are usual in casual contexts. They will also give you a glimpse into each culture's uniqueness.

1. Estar en la luna

🇲🇽 Mexico 🇪🇸 Spain 🇦🇷 Argentina

"No te enteraste de nada, ¡estás en la luna!"

This phrase means "to be on the moon" and is used to describe someone who is daydreaming or not paying attention.

2. Tener mala leche

🇪🇸 Spain

"Esa persona tiene muy mala leche."

Literally translating to "having bad milk," this phrase means someone is in a bad mood or has a nasty temper.

3. Tomar el pelo

🇲🇽 Mexico 🇪🇸 Spain 🇨🇴 Colombia

"¿Me estás tomando el pelo?"

This phrase means "to pull someone's leg" and is used when someone is joking or teasing.

4. Hablar por los codos

🇲🇽 Mexico 🇨🇴 Colombia 🇦🇷 Argentina

"Ella habla por los codos."

This phrase translates to "talking through the elbows" and means someone talks a lot.

5. Estar como una cabra

🇪🇸 Spain 🇨🇱 Chile

"Está como una cabra."

Literally "to be like a goat," this phrase means someone is acting crazy or silly.

6. Tirar la casa por la ventana

🇲🇽 Mexico 🇨🇴 Colombia 🇦🇷 Argentina

"Vamos a tirar la casa por la ventana en la fiesta."

This phrase means "to throw the house out the window" and is used when someone is going to spend a lot of money on a big celebration.

7. Ser pan comido

🇲🇽 Mexico 🇪🇸 Spain 🇦🇷 Argentina

"Este examen es pan comido."

Literally "to be eaten bread," this phrase means something is very easy.

8. Ponerse las pilas

🇲🇽 Mexico 🇪🇸 Spain 🇨🇴 Colombia

"Necesitas ponerte las pilas en el trabajo."

This phrase means "to put on the batteries" and is used to tell someone to get motivated or get their act together.

9. Dar la lata

🇪🇸 Spain 🇨🇱 Chile

"¡Deja de dar la lata!"

This phrase means "to give the can" and is used to describe someone who is being annoying or bothersome.

10. Estar en las nubes

🇲🇽 Mexico 🇨🇴 Colombia 🇦🇷 Argentina

"Está en las nubes."

Literally "to be in the clouds," this phrase means someone is daydreaming or distracted.

11. Meter la pata

🇲🇽 Mexico 🇪🇸 Spain 🇦🇷 Argentina

"Metí la pata en la reunión."

This phrase means "to put the paw in" and is used when someone makes a mistake or blunder.

12. No tener pelos en la lengua

🇪🇸 Spain 🇨🇴 Colombia

"Ella no tiene pelos en la lengua."

Literally "to not have hairs on the tongue," this phrase means someone is very straightforward and blunt.

13. Estar como una sopa

🇪🇸 Spain

"Después de la lluvia, estoy como una sopa."

This phrase means "to be like a soup" and is used to describe someone who is completely soaked.

14. Ponerse como un tomate

🇪🇸 Spain 🇲🇽 Mexico

"Se puso como un tomate cuando lo halagaron."

This phrase means "to turn into a tomato" and is used to describe someone blushing or turning red from embarrassment.

15. Tener pájaros en la cabeza

🇪🇸 Spain 🇲🇽 Mexico

"Tiene pájaros en la cabeza."

Literally "to have birds in the head," this phrase means someone has crazy or impractical ideas.

16. Estar frito

🇪🇸 Spain 🇨🇱 Chile 🇦🇷 Argentina

"Si no estudias, vas a estar frito en el examen."

This phrase means "to be fried" and is used to describe someone who is in big trouble or in a difficult situation.

17. Ser la leche

🇪🇸 Spain

"Ese coche es la leche."

Literally "to be the milk," this phrase means something is amazing or awesome.

18. Quedarse de piedra

🇪🇸 Spain 🇨🇱 Chile

"Me quedé de piedra cuando lo vi."

This phrase means "to be left like a stone" and is used when someone is shocked or amazed.

19. Estar en el quinto pino

🇪🇸 Spain

"Su casa está en el quinto pino."

Literally "to be in the fifth pine," this phrase means something is very far away.

20. Dormir a pierna suelta

🇪🇸 Spain 🇨🇴 Colombia

"Después del viaje, dormí a pierna suelta."

This phrase means "to sleep with a loose leg" and describes sleeping very well or deeply.

21. Estar en el ajo

🇪🇸 Spain 🇲🇽 Mexico

"Ella siempre está en el ajo."

Literally "to be in the garlic," this phrase means to be in the know or involved in something secretive.