Common Idioms

Idioms, or modismos / expresiones idiomáticas, are phrases whose meaning cannot be understood from the individual words alone. They are a vital part of natural, fluent Spanish. In this lesson, you will learn essential Spanish idioms, their origins, and how to use them in conversation.

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Why Learn Idioms?

• They make your Spanish sound natural — native speakers use idioms constantly in everyday conversation.
• They help you understand others — if someone says me estás tomando el pelo, you need to know they mean "you're pulling my leg," not literally pulling their hair.
• They enrich your expression — instead of saying something is easy, you can say es pan comido (it's a piece of cake).
• They connect you to the culture — many idioms reflect cultural values, history, and humour.

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Essential Spanish Idioms

1. Estar como una cabra

Meaning: To be crazy / mad

Literal meaning: To be like a goat

Origin: Goats are known for their unpredictable, erratic behaviour, jumping and climbing in unexpected ways. Spaniards began associating this behaviour with craziness.