Animal idioms are a fun way to sound more natural in Spanish. These ten expressions pair each illustration with the idiom it explains.
Cuando el gato no esta, los ratones bailan
When the cat is away, the mice dance. It is similar to the English idea that people relax when authority is absent.
Estar como una cabra
Literally, to be like a goat. It means someone is acting a little crazy or strange.
Tener un humor de perros
Literally, to have a mood of dogs. It means to be in a bad mood.
Dormir como una marmota
Literally, to sleep like a marmot. In English, you might say to sleep like a log.
No hay perro ni gato que no lo sepa
There is no dog or cat that does not know it. It describes something everybody knows.
Camaron que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente
The shrimp that sleeps is carried away by the current. The closest English idea is you snooze, you lose.
Armar mas ruido que un buey por un tejado
To make more noise than an ox on a roof. It describes a very noisy or clumsy situation.
Ser mas pobre que una rata
To be poorer than a rat. In English, you might say as poor as a church mouse.
Ir a paso de tortuga
To move at turtle pace. It means to go very slowly.
Comer como un oso
To eat like a bear. It describes someone with a very big appetite.
How should I remember new Spanish vocabulary?
Learn words in short phrases, say them aloud and review them across several days instead of memorising once.
Should beginners learn Spanish words or full phrases?
Full phrases are usually more useful because they show how words behave in real sentences.
