Spanish idioms with “dedos”
Today we will learn Spanish idioms with dedos. Take a look at the article and learn the real meaning of these phrases!
Idiomatic expressions spice spoken Spanish up, but they can be difficult to understand for students of Spanish language who don’t know them. That’s why, on our school’s blog, you’ll find numerous posts on this topic.
Many of them refer to the parts of the body, including those that include the word “dedo(s)”.
¡Let’s take a look!
Chuparse el dedo
A person that “se chupa el dedo” (lit. that sucks his finger) is naive, capable of believing anything.
If someone is teasing you or telling you something that seems like a lie, you can tell them that you are nobody’s fool (no te chupas el dedo).
Example:
¡No me chupo el dedo! Sé perfectamente que no contestaste adrede a mi llamada.
I’m nobody’s fool! I know perfectly well that you didn’t answer my call on purpose.
Chuparse los dedos
If instead of one we suck all our fingers, then the meaning of the expression changes completely.
In this case the phrase has a positive meaning and refers to the pleasure we feel when tasting a delicious food.
When we refer to a particularly good dish, we say that it is finger-licking good (está para chuparse los dedos).
I’m sure that in Valencia you’ve “licked your fingers” on more than one occasion…
Example:
¡Esta paella está para chuparse los dedos!
This paella is finger-licking good!
Cruzar los dedos
Cruzar los dedos (cross one’s fingers) is an expression that can also be found in other languages, such as English or Italian. We use it to wish good luck and when we hope that something will turn out well.
Who has never crossed their fingers before an exam?
Example:
Cruzamos los dedos para que no haya mucho tráfico y podamos llegar a la ahora.
Fingers crossed that there won’t be too much traffic and we can make it on time.
Elegir a dedo
It means to arbitrarily appoint or choose someone to a job or position.
A person who “elige a dedo”, do it according to their will or whim, without taking into account objective selection criteria or merit.
Example:
El responsable del personal fue elegido a dedo y no tiene las competencias necesarias para ese puesto.
The personnel officer was arbitrarily choosen and does not have the required skills for the job.
Meter el dedo en la llaga
It means talking to someone about a subject that is very sensitive or delicate for that person.
“Metemos el dedo en la llaga” (we put our finger on it), when we remind someone, directly or indirectly, of an event that is painful or difficult to overcome.
It is possible that we may have unintentionally put our finger on it at some point…
Example:
Sin darme cuenta metí el dedo en la llaga cuando mencioné a su ex marido.
I inadvertently put my finger on it when I mentioned her ex-husband.
No mover un dedo
If you haven’t lifted a finger, you haven’t done anything at all.
It is an expression with a negative nuance that emphasises someone’s totally passive attitude, especially in situations that require action or participation.
Example:
Todos estaban ayudando en la mudanza excepto Lucas que no movió un dedo.
Everyone was helping with the move except Lucas who didn’t lift a finger.
Pillarse los dedos
In Spain, “nos pillamos los dedos” when we make a mistake or make things worse for ourself by having taken more risks than necessary. In English, we would say “get oneself boxed in”.
That happens, when we commit ourselves to something that we may not be able to fulfil. If you say you will do something in a timeframe that you will most likely not be able to meet, you are likely to get yourself boxed in…
Example:
Para no pillarnos los dedos, ponemos viernes en lugar de martes como plazo de entrega del trabajo.
In order not to get ourself boxed in, let’s put Friday instead of Tuesday as the deadline for the delivery of the work.
When used in its literal meaning, it is an expression that hurts a lot and means crushing your fingers between two surfaces (e.g. a drawer or a car door).
No tener dos dedos de frente
It is used to describe people who we consider to be not very clever or smart. It is also used when someone carries out actions that lack logic or common sense. In English, we would say “have half a brain”.
Another Spanish expression with a similar meaning is “tener pocas luces”.
Example:
¡No tienes dos dedos de frente! Has lavado la ropa de lana con agua caliente y ahora está toda encogida.
You have half a brain! You washed the woollen clothes in hot water and now they’re all shrunk.
Venir como anillo al dedo
When something “viene como anillo al dedo” it is because it happens at the right time and it’s perfectly suited to your needs and wishes.
For example, this article “te viene como anillo al dedo” if you want to learn colloquial Spanish and speak like a native speaker.
Another expression with the same meaning is “venir de perlas”.
Ejemplo:
Me vino como anillo al dedo que pasaras a recogerme en coche. Estaba demasiado cansada para volver andando.
It suited me just fine that you came to pick me up by car. I was too tired to walk back.
We hope this article will help you to speak fluent Spanish.
If you’re still hungry for more, learn the idiomatic expressions with the word “mano” as well!
Colloquial speech is rich in unique and funny phrases, which also tell us a lot about the culture of the country.
Learning to use them is one more step towards mastering the Spanish language.
If you haven’t started the climb yet or you’re halfway up and want to make rapid progress towards the finish line, sign up for one of our courses!
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