Spanish grammar
Same idea, different picture
Understand idioms whose English equivalent uses a different image.
From the scene Lost in translation
In short
Many idioms use a different image in each language: llueve a cántaros is raining cats and dogs. Learn them whole.
Your turn
Which one goes with the straw that broke the camel's back?
Options: meterse en camisa de once varas · la gota que colma el vaso · llueve a cántaros
Show answer
the straw that broke the camel's back → la gota que colma el vaso
How it works
Many idioms exist in both languages with a different image: Spanish rains in jugs (cántaros), English rains cats and dogs.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Primera duda: "llovía a (blank)". ¿Cómo lo dice un inglés?
Options: perros · gotas · cántaros
Show answer
Primera duda: "llovía a cántaros". ¿Cómo lo dice un inglés?
First question: "it was raining jugs". How would an English person say it?
Good to know
Learn the whole idiom and its meaning, and never translate it word for word.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Y al final dice: "Me tengo que poner las (blank). El libro sale en mayo."
Options: varas · pilas · camisas
Show answer
Y al final dice: "Me tengo que poner las pilas. El libro sale en mayo."
And at the end she says: "I have to get my act together. The book comes out in May."
it's raining cats and dogs llueve a cántaros
the straw that broke the camel's back la gota que colma el vaso
Nuria
Segunda: "la gota que colma el vaso". ¿Qué gota?
Second: "the drop that makes the glass overflow". What drop?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Segunda: "(blank)". ¿Qué gota?
Options: meterse en camisa de once varas · la gota que colma el vaso · llueve a cántaros
Show answer
Nuria
Segunda: "la gota que colma el vaso". ¿Qué gota?
Second: "the drop that makes the glass overflow". What drop?
to poke your nose where it doesn't belong meterse en camisa de once varas
Nuria
Tercera: "meterse en camisa de once varas".
Third: "to get into a shirt eleven yards long".
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Tercera: "(blank)".
Options: la gota que colma el vaso · meterse en camisa de once varas · llueve a cántaros
Show answer
Nuria
Tercera: "meterse en camisa de once varas".
Third: "to get into a shirt eleven yards long".
to get your act together ponerse las pilas
Your turn
What goes with ponerse las pilas?
Options: the straw that broke the camel's back · to get your act together · it's raining cats and dogs
Show answer
ponerse las pilas → to get your act together
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| it's raining cats and dogs | llueve a cántaros |
|---|---|
| the straw that broke the camel's back | la gota que colma el vaso |
| to poke your nose where it doesn't belong | meterse en camisa de once varas |
| to get your act together | ponerse las pilas |
More lines from the story
- NuriaPrimera duda: "llovía a cántaros". ¿Cómo lo dice un inglés?First question: "it was raining jugs". How would an English person say it?
- NuriaY al final dice: "Me tengo que poner las pilas. El libro sale en mayo."And at the end she says: "I have to get my act together. The book comes out in May."
- ElenaEn inglés llueven perros y gatos. Lo vi en una película.In English it rains cats and dogs. I saw it in a film.
- ElenaEso es meterse donde no te llaman. Como Ramón ahora mismo.That's poking your nose where it doesn't belong. Like Ramón right now.