Feet, Feet and More Feet
Below are some idiomatic expressions using the Spanish words for feet. Some of them are very funny.
Note that “pata” which is an animal’s foot is often used in jest for “pie,” the correct word.
Meter la pata – to put your foot in your mouth
Estar con una pata en la tumba – to have one foot in the grave
Tener un pie acá y otra allá – the same as the last expression
Tener un pie en el estribo – to have one foot out the door or be about to go
Perder el pie – to lose one’s footing
Estar de pie – to be standing (upright)
Estar en pie – to be standing in terms of an invitation, offer etc.
Pie de atleta – athlete’s feet (fungus)
Con patas de plomo – carefully or timidly
Pies planos – flat feet
Ligero de pie – quick footed
Empezar con el pie derecho – to start off on the right foot
Empezar con el pie izquierdo – to start off on the wrong foot
Nacer de pie – to be born lucky
Cojear del mismo pie – birds of a feather…also pájaros del mismo plumaje or tal para cual
De pies a cabeza – from head to toe
Al pie del cañon – on the job or working
A pie – on foot (walking)
A pata –on foot also. Troleada is also used in Costa Rica.
Saber de qué pie cojea – to know one’s weakness
Buscar tres pies al gato – to look for trouble
Ponerle la pata – to your foot down on someone
Al pie de la cama – at the foot of the bed
Al pie de la letra – literally, verbatim, word for word
No tener ni pies ni cabeza – to make no sense
Estirar la pata – to die
Patear el balde – to kick the bucket or die
Patituerto – pigeon-toed (in some countries)
In Costa Rica:
Pata alzada – a person who likes to party
Pata caliente – a person who likes to travel or hang out on the street. Pata de perro is also used
Pata de chanco – a type of crow bar
A pata pelada – barefoot
Bailar en una pata – to jump for joy or be happy..saltando de alegría is also used
Echar patas – used when something is robbed or disappears
Salir con una pata de banco – used to to refer to a single woman who is pregnant
Volar pata – to walk a lot
Patasvueltas – a good for nothing or insignificant person
Tiquismo of the week: Con toda la pata – means fantastic or great. According to renowned Costa Rican linguist, Ricardo Dávila, this expression is based on the rush that one gets from flooring the accelerator of a car on the open highway and feeling like the king of the road.
