• Her brother definitely has a screw loose, he seems to be crazy.

(A su hermano definitivamente le falta un tornillo, parece que está loco)

• If you have a screw loose, you aren’t mentally healthy.

(Si te falta un tornillo, no estás mentalmente sano)

• I told him that he had a screw loose because he was eating breakfast one hour before lunch.

(Le dije que le faltaba un tornillo porque estaba desayunado una hora antes de comer).

Some other expression that have a similar meaning are:

• As nutty as a fruitcake.

• To be off one’s rocker.

Its origin goes back to the industrial revolution, from the cotton industrial. Then, any machine that stopped working was deemed to “have a screw loose” somewhere.

It’s important to say that we shouldn’t use this expression in a peyorative way because mental health is not laughing matter, so we should talk about mental disorders respectfully.

In spanish we can translate it like “ tener muy buena salud” o “ estar en perfectas condiciones”.

Examples:

1. After following a balanced diet and exercising regularly, I am in the pink of health. Después de llevar a cabo una dieta equilibrada y hacer ejercicio regularmente estoy en plena forma.

2.Elisa recovered from her surgery in less than 10 days and is now in a pink condition. Elisa se recuperó de su cirugía en menos de 10 días y ahora está en perfectas condiciones.

3..It took two weeks recover after covid but I am in the pink of health.

Me tomó dos semanas recuperarme después del COVID, pero ahora estoy en perfectas condiciones de salud.

It is used for someone who is overworking themselves to the point of unhealthiness, which can lead to exhaustion.

For us students, especially this year, this expression is a perfect reflection of our routine. As we all know, it is quite difficult to try to juggle studies, friends, family, sports, and rest in our daily lives, so I think,

this truly captures the feeling of being stretched too thin.

Here are some examples:

1. He is burning the candle at both ends by managing exams and a part-time job.

   No da abasto intentando manegar tanto los exámenes como un trabajo a tiempo parcial.

2. I know you are ambitious, but you should go to sleep now. You wouldn´t want to burn the candle at both ends and wear yourself down.

   Sé que eres ambicioso, pero deberías irte a dormir ya. No querrás hacer demasiado y terminar agotado.

3. I wish I had more time for this assignment. I have too many things to do and I feel as if I´m burning the candle at both ends.

   Ojalá tuviera más tiempo para esta tarea. Tengo demasiadas obligaciones y siento que estoy al límite.

There are some examples:

• My family lives very far away, I only see them once in a blue moon. Mi familia vive muy lejos, solo los veo de vez en cuando.

• Once in a blue moon I go to a concert, but only when there is a singer I really like. Muy de vez en cuando voy a un concierto pero solo cuando hay un cantante que realmente me gusta.

• “I'm very careful about what I eat so it's only once in a blue moon I eat fast food.” Soy muy cuidadoso con lo que como así que solo de vez en cuando consumo comida basura.

  
  

The first recorded use of this idiom is in an anti-clerical flyer in 1528, published by William Roy and Jeremy Barlowe in reference to the clerical corruptions.

Spanish Equivalent:

“Un problema compartido es un problema reducido”

“La carga se aligera cuando se comparte”

Explanation: This means you should confide in someone about your troubles. Sharing our challenges with friends, family or professionals normally make us feel better and supported. In meaning this is applicable to Mental health as it reminds people to ask for help, you do not have to carry the weight of your problems alone. I have chosen this idiom because I strongly believe that it is very important to make us aware that psychological help is necessary sometimes.

Examples in Use:

English:

• “I was feeling really stressed about the project, but after talking to my friend, I realized that a problem shared is a problem halved.”

• “Don’t keep your worries to yourself; remember, a problem shared is a problem halved.”

Spanish:

• “Estaba muy estresado con el proyecto, pero después de hablar con mi compañero, me di cuenta de que la carga se aligera cuando se comparte.

Many tech companies, like Google and Microsoft, have introduced mental health programs encouraging employees to talk about their emotional well-being. Sharing issues related to work pressure and burnout can significantly reduce stress and improve productivity, demonstrating that when problems are shared, they become more manageable.

Spanish expression: "Está lloviendo a cántaros."

Examples:

• English: I forgot my umbrella, and now it’s raining cats and dogs. I’m soaked!

• Spanish: Olvidé mi paraguas, ¡y ahora está lloviendo a cántaros! Estoy empapado.

• English: We had to cancel the picnic because it was raining cats and dogs all afternoon.

• Spanish: Tuvimos que cancelar el picnic porque estuvo lloviendo a cántaros toda la tarde.

Interesting tidbit:
Expressions like these reflect cultural differences in imagery. While English uses animals to describe torrential rain, Spanish leans on objects like pitchers or buckets.

Especially this year, we have to prioritise our health and avoid neglecting ourselves due to academic or work reasons. This idiom fits perfectly with many people's reality, since we all have too much to do and not enough time to do it. That's why I have chosen this collocation.

Some examples where this idiom is used are the following:

1.- She's got a lot on her plate, especially with two new projects starting this week. (Tiene mucho que hacer, especialmente con dos proyectos nuevos que empiezan esta semana)

2.- I can't go out with you this weekend because I have a lot on my plate. (No puedo salir con vosotros este fin de semana porque tengo mucho que hacer)

3.- My mum is incredible! Although she has a lot on her plate, she has time to play with me. (¡Mi madre es increible! Aunque tenga muchas cosas que hacer, saca tiempo para jugar conmigo)

The phrase "take it with a pinch of salt" comes from the Latin "cum grano salis." Its earliest known usage dates back to Pliny the Elder, a Roman author. In his book, he noted that taking a grain of salt might help to ingest poison more easily.

Examples:

• You should take what Óscar says with a pinch of salt, he is always lying. (deberías coger lo que dice Óscar con pinzas, siempre está mintiendo)

• You ought to take what Leo is saying with a pinch of salt because when he is not dramatizing he is joking. (deberías coger lo que Leo está diciendo con pinzas porque cuando no está exagerando está bromeando)

• I am going to take Lexis' gossip with a pinch of salt due to the fact that I wasn't there to witness it. (voy a coger el cotilleo de Lexi con pinzas porque no estuve allí para presenciarlo)

  
  

Explanation: This idiom symbolizes overcoming invisible barriers that prevent women and minorities from reaching leadership or high-ranking positions in society. It is particularly relevant in discussions about gender equality and women's rights, as it highlights the systemic inequalities that persist in workplaces and institutions globally. The metaphor is powerful and universally understood, making it an essential expression in dialogues about progress and social justice.

Examples of Use

In English:

1. "She broke the glass ceiling when she became the first female CEO of the company."

2. "Despite facing challenges, women worldwide continue to break the glass ceiling in politics, science, and technology."

3. "The campaign aims to encourage young girls to dream big and prepare to break the glass ceiling in male-dominated industries."

In Spanish:

1. "Ella rompió el techo de cristal al convertirse en la primera directora ejecutiva de la empresa."

2. "A pesar de los desafíos, las mujeres de todo el mundo siguen rompiendo el techo de cristal en la política, la ciencia y la tecnología."

3. "La campaña busca inspirar a las jóvenes a soñar en grande y prepararse para romper el techo de cristal en industrias dominadas por hombres."

Examples:

1. "If you want to ace your Selectividad exam, it's time to hit the books and review everything we've covered this year!" Si quieres sacar una excelente nota en el examen de Selectividad, es hora de ponerte a estudiar y repasar todo lo que hemos visto este año.

2. "I can't go out this weekend. I really need to hit the books and prepare for my maths test." No puedo salir este fin de semana. Realmente necesito devorar el libro y prepararme para mi examen de matemáticas.

3. "After procrastinating all week, I finally decided to hit the books and study for my biology exam." Después de posponer las cosas toda la semana, finalmente decidí hincar los codos y estudiar para mi examen de biología.

Examples of use:

• "When her friends stopped talking to her, she realized she had hit rock bottom." Cuando sus amigos dejaron de hablarle, se dio cuenta de que había tocado fondo.

• "Sometimes, you have to hit rock bottom before you realize the need for a change." A veces, tienes que tocar fondo para darte cuenta de que necesitas un cambio.

• "He felt like he had hit rock bottom after failing all his exams." El sintió que había tocado fondo después de suspender todos sus exámenes.

In Spanish can be translated as " esta bien no estar bien".

Examples:

1-Remember, it's okay to not be okay. Take your time and talk to someone if you need support.

(Recuerda, está bien no estar bien. Tómate tu tiempo y habla con alguien si necesitas apoyo)

2-She told me it's okay to not be okay and that I should focus on taking care of myself.

(Ella me dijo que está bien no estar bien y que debería concentrarme en cuidar de mí mismo)

3-It's okay to not be okay sometimes; asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

(Está bien no estar bien a veces; pedir ayuda es una señal de fortaleza, no de debilidad)

This phrase is especially relevant in the context of mental health, as people often feel they must hide their emotions to meet social expectations. However, recognizing that it is normal to have emotional ups and downs can help create a healthier environment where people feel free to seek help and talk openly about their feelings.

Es como tratar de medir la posición y el momento de un electrón al mismo tiempo.

Examples of use:

1-Talking to him is like trying to measure the position and momentum of an electron simultaneously.

2-Studying and meanwhile watching a series is like trying to measure the position and momentum of an electron simultaneously.

3-Pretend to be rich easily is like trying to measure the position and momentum of an electron simultaneously.

This idiomatic expression means to try to improve, add to, or enhance something that is already perfect or good enough as it is. It suggests that such effort is not only unnecessary but may detract from the beauty or value of the original by rendering it gaudy, superficial, or even ridiculous. It carries with it the notion of waste, too, in as much as the thing "improved" needs nothing more to be worthy of appreciation.

Example of Use:

"The chef’s attempt to add truffle oil to a perfectly seasoned steak was a classic case of gilding the lily—it didn’t need any more embellishments."

In this example, the addition of truffle oil to an already well-prepared dish was seen as unnecessary and possibly excessive, highlighting the essence of the phrase.

This phrase is not in normal usage in everyday conversation; it is, however, usual in formal, poetic, or literary usage. Many times, it's used in criticism of efforts that stress appearances or excess at the expense of appreciation of simplicity and natural perfec

tion.

• Equivalent in Spanish: “Revelar el secreto” / “Irse de la lengua”

• Explanation:

The idiom “spill the beans” means to reveal a secret or disclose information that was meant to be kept private. It is a commonly used expression in both informal and formal contexts, especially when someone unintentionally or prematurely reveals something important. This idiom is useful in real-life scenarios such as conversations about surprises, confidential plans, or gossip.

Examples in English

1. “John spilled the beans about the surprise party before we even got there!”

2. “I can’t believe you spilled the beans. Now everyone knows about our secret plan.”

3. “If she asks, don’t spill the beans. It’s supposed to be a surprise.”

Examples in Spanish

1. “Juan reveló el secreto de la fiesta sorpresa antes de que llegáramos.”

2. “No puedo creer que te hayas ido de la lengua. Ahora todos saben nuestro plan secreto.”

3. “Si te pregunta, no te vayas de la lengua. Es una sorpresa.”

• Origin of the idiom: The phrase “spill the beans” may have originated from ancient Greek voting practices, where beans were used to cast votes. Spilling the container of beans could accidentally reveal confidential voting results.

• Synonyms in English: “Let the cat out of the bag” (another idiom for revealing a secret).

• Fun fact: In some contexts, “spill” can imply something done accidentally, making the phrase even more humorous.

Similarly, in English, the term began as a pejorative, used to describe someone who socially isolated themselves, lacked practical skills, and was often mocked for being overly obsessed with books, reinforcing the stereotype of being a "nerd" or "uncool." Here are some examples of this negative usage:

• "All she does is read; she's such a bookworm. Doesn't she know how to have fun?" "Todo lo que hace es leer; es una ratona de biblioteca. ¿Acaso no sabe cómo divertirse?"

• "He's such a bookworm; he never goes out or talks to anyone." "Es un ratón de biblioteca; nunca sale ni habla con nadie."

Over time, however, the term has evolved into a more positive or neutral description, referring to someone with a profound passion for reading and books. It is often used to describe someone who dedicates a lot of time to reading and finds joy in exploring literature. Here are some examples of this modern, more positive usage:

• "My son has become such a little bookworm since he discovered that fantasy series!" "Mi hijo se ha convertido en un pequeño ratón de biblioteca desde que descubrió esa serie de fantasía."

• "Being a bookworm has really helped him excel in school; he's always ahead in every subject." "Ser un ratón de biblioteca realmente le ha ayudado a sobresalir en la escuela; siempre está adelantado en todas las materias."

Spanish Equivalent: "Romper el hielo"

Examples:

1. "At the party, John told a joke to break the ice with the new guests."

2. "The teacher asked us to share fun facts about ourselves to break the ice on the first day of class."

3. "A friendly smile is sometimes all you need to break the ice."

En Español:

1. "En la fiesta, John contó un chiste para romper el hielo con los nuevos invitados."

2. "El profesor nos pidió que compartiéramos datos curiosos sobre nosotros para romper el hielo el primer día de clases."

3. "A veces, una sonrisa amable es todo lo que necesitas para romper el hielo."

"The world is your oyster" means that you have many opportunities in life and the ability to take advantage of them. It suggests that you can explore, achieve your goals, and find success if you take the initiative or put in the effort. It’s an encouraging phrase that indicates the world is full of possibilities for those willing to seek them out. Its meaning is similar to the idiom “The sky is the limit”.

Examples of use: 

 It is mainly used in positive and encouraging contexts, when you want to express that someone has many opportunities and possibilities in life.

1.-' You’ve worked so hard on this project, and now it’s finally happening'. The world is your oyster! (Has trabajado tan duro en este proyecto, y ahora finalmente está sucediendo. ¡El mundo está a tus pies!) 

2.-'With that plane ticket in your hand, the world is your oyster.' You can go anywhere and have amazing experiences! (Con ese billete de avión en la mano, el mundo está a tus pies. ¡Puedes ir a cualquier lugar y vivir experiencias alucinantes!) 

William Shakespeare was the first person to use this idiom. It appears in his play “The Merry Wives Of Windsor”, when Pistol says: “Why then the world's mine oyster, which I with sword will open.” (Entonces, el mundo es mi ostra, la cual abriré con espada.) 

• Explanation: This idiom is used to describe situations that seem unfortunate at first but later reveal a positive outcome. It’s frequently employed in conversations about life’s unexpected twists. Its relevance lies in promoting resilience and optimism, making it useful for both casual discussions and motivational contexts.

In English

1. “Missing my flight turned out to be a blessing in disguise; I avoided a long delay.”

2. “At first, I was disappointed when the event got canceled, but it was a blessing in disguise because I had time to work on my project.”

3. “That breakup felt awful, but in the end, it was a blessing in disguise—I met someone better for me.”

In Spanish

1. “Perder el vuelo resultó ser una bendición disfrazada; evité un largo retraso.”

2. “Al principio me decepcionó que cancelaran el evento, pero fue una bendición disfrazada porque tuve tiempo para trabajar en mi proyecto.”

3. “Esa ruptura fue dolorosa, pero al final, fue una bendición disfrazada; conocí a alguien mejor para mí.”

• Similar Idioms:

“Every cloud has a silver lining” – Reminds us that even bad events have a positive aspect.

• English Expression: “A blessing in disguise”

Meaning:

The expression “weather the storm” means to face or endure a difficult or challenging situation and come through it successfully despite the hardships. It’s a metaphor comparing problems or challenges to a storm, suggesting that although the situation is tough, it will eventually pass and be overcome. I have chosen this idiom because it reminds me that, although difficult times are inevitable, the key is to face them with patience and strength, knowing that they will eventually pass.

Examples:

English: “The entire world is weathering the storm of the financial crisis”

Spanish: El mundo entero está capeando el temporal de la crisis financiera.

English: “The company has weathered the storm of the current recession better than most”

Spanish: La empresa ha capeado el temporal de la recesión actual mejor que ninguna.

English: “After the difficult breakup, María had to weather the storm of her emotions before she could move on.”

Spanish: Después de la difícil ruptura, Sarah tuvo que afrontar la tormenta de sus emociones antes de poder seguir adelante.

Similar idioms:

1. Bite the bullet

2. Keep your head above water

3. Ride out the storm

Fun fact:

An interesting fact about the idiom “weather the storm” is that its origin dates back to navigation and maritime life. Sailors used this expression to refer to the need to withstand a storm at sea, protecting the ship until the bad weather passed. The idea is that, even though the storm may be strong and dangerous, the goal is to survive and reach calmer weather. This concept of “riding out the storm” later extended to more general situations of adversity in life, beyond just sailing.

Examples in Use:

• English:

  1-."Don't worry so much about what you did wrong yesterday, just seize the day with your family."

• Español:

  1-. "No te agobies tanto por lo que hiciste mal ayer, simplemente aprovecha tu día con tu familia."

• English:

  2-. "Normally people tend to say no to things for fear that something will go wrong, but we should learn to say yes with confidence as well, seizing the day and the advantages that that decision brings."

• Español:

  2-. "Normalmente la gente tiende a decir que no a las cosas por temor a que algo le salga mal, pero habría que aprender a decir sí también con confianza, aprovechando el momento, y las ventajas que traiga esa decisión."

This phrase is often used to show unfairness or unhappiness when someone is treated badly even though it’s not their fault. It can refer to a wide variety of scenarios, such as being underpaid, being blamed for something you didn't do, or being left out of an opportunity that you deserved. It means that the treatment was not only bad but also unfair.

• Spanish translation: Conseguir/Recibir/Obtener un trato injusto de alguna persona.

• Similar expresions:

  "Get the short end of the stick": This means receiving the worst part of a situation or being treated unfairly.

  "Get the shaft": This expression refers to being treated badly or unfairly, often in a way that leaves someone at a disadvantage.

  
  

• Examples:

1. "Even though she worked harder than anyone else on the team, she got a raw deal when it came to promotions"

   ^{(She was treated unfairly because she deserved a promotion but didn’t get one).}

   "Aunque ella trabajó más duro que nadie en el equipo, no recibió un trato justo cuando se trataba de ascensos"

   
   

2. "After the accident, the insurance company refused to pay him, he really got a raw deal"

   ^{(He was treated unfairly by the insurance company).}

   "Después del accidente, la compañía de seguros se negó a pagarle, él realmente recibió un trato injusto"

   
   

3. "She always helps her friends, but when she needed support, no one was there for her. She really got a raw deal in that friendship"

   ^{(She was treated unfairly because her friends didn’t reciprocate her kindness).}

   "Ella siempre ayuda a sus amigos, pero cuando necesitaba apoyo, nadie estuvo allí para ella. Realmente recibió un trato injusto en esa amistad"

Its literal translation is “una puntada a tiempo ahorra nueve”. 

The expression is related to sewing, it is well known that if something is unpicked and not fixed in time, the fabric will continue to tear making it much more difficult to sew later on.

This expression is used to emphasize that a problem that can be solved now should not be delayed.  The problem can grow and worsen, having a much more difficult solution than the original one. Nowadays we can relate this expression to a problem that has been discussed a lot lately, climate change. A small change now in our way of life and consumption can save us in the future a lot of problems. 

Some examples of its use are:

English:

1.-Hey you let the tap open, be careful  and close it! A stitch in time saves nine, an open tap wastes a lot of water.

2.-Sorting out recyclable waste properly might seem like a small effort, but a stitch in time saves nine when it comes to reducing landfill overflow and environmental damage.

3.-We should help plant trees in the deforested area, it may seem like a minor step, but it is well known that a stitch in time saves nine, maybe it would even become a lush forest in the future.

Spanish:

1.-¡Hey has dejado el grifo abierto, ten cuidado y ciérralo! De aquellos barros estos lodos, un grifo abierto desperdicia mucha agua.

2.-Clasificar bien los residuos reciclables puede parecer un pequeño esfuerzo, pero más vale prevenir que curar cuando se trata de reducir el desbordamiento de los vertederos y el daño medioambiental.

3.-Deberíamos ayudar a plantar árboles en la zona deforestada, puede parecer un paso menor, pero es bien sabido que es mejor llegar a tiempo que esperar cien años, quizás incluso se convierta en un frondoso bosque en el futuro.

As a fun fact: There is a common misbelief about the origin of this expression. Its source is believed to be an old Navy tradition of burying someone at sea with nine pounds of buckshot to make the body sack heavy. Then, when the sack was sewn closed, the last stitch was passed through a part of the body. In this way the shroud and the body were held together. Otherwise, the nine pounds of buckshot would be wasted.

The first time it was truly used was in the 18th century, with the earliest known printed use attributed to the poet Thomas Fuller in his work "Gnomologia," published in 1732.

"Perro ladrador, poco mordedor"

Explanation:

The expression " All bark and no bite " means that when someone shouts, acts aggressively, or threatens with their words or gestures, most of the time they won’t do anything or follow through on their words, because in the end, it all comes to nothing.

We compare a dog that barks loudly to intimidate but does not actually bite or harm.

Several examples in English and Spanish:

• When a friend is telling us something about another friend and always ends up saying, "Next time I see him, he’s going to hear from me," but when he sees him, he doesn’t say anything.

  Cuando un amigo nos está contando algo sobre otro amigo y siempre acaba diciendo: "La próxima vez que lo vea, se va a enterar", pero cuando lo ve, no le dice nada.

• When a politician talks and talks in a threatening tone about other politicians, criticizing what they do wrong, and promises that once he is elected, he won’t do the same, but in the end, when he gets elected, he doesn’t keep his promises.

  Cuando un político habla y habla con tono amenazante de otros políticos criticando lo que hacen mal y promete que cuando a él lo elijan no lo hará así y al final cuando lo eligen lo que ha prometido no lo cumple.

• Examples in English:

  • "To attract more customers, we need to think outside the box and come up with a completely unique marketing strategy"

  • "Developing this app requires us to think outside the box and create features that no one else in the market offers"

  • "The solution to reducing waste in our city will only come if we think outside the box and explore innovative recycling methods"

• Examples in Spanish:

  • "Para atraer a más clientes, necesitamos pensar fuera de lo común y diseñar una estrategia de marketing completamente innovadora."

  • "Desarrollar esta aplicación requiere que pensemos de forma creativa y creemos funciones que nadie más en el mercado ofrece."

  • "La solución para reducir los desechos en nuestra ciudad solo llegará si pensamos de forma innovadora y exploramos métodos de reciclaje innovadores."

“Subirse al carro” “Seguir la moda”

The explanation we can give about this expression related to social media, which increasingly influences our daily lives, for that reason most of the people are influenced by trends and end up following what is most popular. With the stronger presence of influencers on apps such as Instagram or Tiktok, many people are easily influenced by them. This influence often leads us to buy certain products or participate in activities that we may not have found interesting before. However, seeing these products that are frequently used around us can make us feel a sudden interest, even in things we may have previously dismissed.

Examples:

• At first, I wasn’t interested in that TV show, but I jumped on the bandwagon because all my friends kept talking about it.

  (Al principio no me interesaba esa serie, pero me subí al carro porque todos mi amigos hablan sobre ella)

• I can’t stop seeing Sonny Angels everywhere. Maybe I’ll jump on the badwagon and get one too.

  (No puedo para dejar de ver Sonny angels por todos los sitios tal vez yo también siga la moda y me compre uno)

• My friends and I have jumped on the of wanting to make Crumbl Cookies.

  (Mis amigos y yo también nos hemos subido al carro de hacer Crumbl Cookies)

"Una pesada carga que llevar." o "Un gran peso que llevar"

This phrase refers to situations where someone faces emotional, mental, or physical challenges that are difficult to bear.

Explanation:

This expression belongs to neutral to formal language and is commonly used in both written and spoken contexts, especially in discussions about mental health and personal struggles. It refers to the emotional, mental, or physical challenges that feel overwhelming or difficult to bear. The metaphor effectively conveys the idea of someone being weighed down by problems, responsibilities, or emotional pain. It is often used to express empathy and compassion for individuals experiencing difficult situations.

Examples of Use

In English:

"Dealing with depression feels like carrying a heavy burden every day."

-"Lidiar con la depresión se siente como cargar una pesada carga todos los días."

"When he lost his job, the financial struggles became a heavy burden to carry."

-"Cuando perdió su empleo, los problemas financieros se convirtieron en una pesada carga que llevar."

"She shared her feelings with a therapist, and it helped her lighten the heavy burden she was carrying."

-"Compartió sus sentimientos con un terapeuta, y eso la ayudó a aliviar la pesada carga que llevaba."

The translation to spanish is: "Empezar de cero"

Example of use:

You are working on a class assignment, and just when you are about to finish, you realize that you're missing some things and that you've made some mistakes, so you have to back to the drawing board. (Traducción: estás trabajando en un trabajo de clase y cuando estás a punto de acabar te das cuenta de que te faltan cosas y hay cosas que has hecho mal y tienes que empezar de cero otra vez)

Ponerse en marcha / Echar a andar / Salir de viaje

Explanation:

"Hit the road" means to start a journey, literally hitting the open road. It most frequently applies when someone leaves home or sets off on a journey. It is an informal phrase, and is usually used, especially in general conversations regarding travelling or going from one place to another. This is a good expression to use to describe the beginning of a journey in an informal way.

Examples:

We’re about to hit the road, so don’t forget to pack your bag!/Estamos a punto de ponernos en marcha, ¡así que no olvides hacer tu maleta!

After the concert, we hit the road and drove all night to get home./Después del concierto, nos pusimos en marcha y condujimos toda la noche para llegar a casa.

Let’s hit the road early tomorrow to avoid the traffic./Vamos a ponernos en marcha temprano mañana para evitar el tráfico.

As a fun fact, this idiom is part of one of the best songs written in English ever, ¨Hit the road Jack¨. It is a story of a toxic relationship.The idiom is used in this song as a way to implore Jack, who is the boyfriend, to go away and then not to return.

The expression “Don’t bite off more than you can chew” :-) "No muerdas más de lo que puedes masticar" in Spanish. I choose it because it’s a reminder to know our limits and not take on too much at once, which is super important for keeping our mental health in good conditions. In school, we’re always trying to do everything—get good grades, join clubs, play sports, hang out with friends, and maybe even help out at home. It’s easy to feel like we have to say yes to everything, but sometimes that just makes us stressed and overwhelmed.

This phrase is really useful because it reminds us that it’s okay to take a step back and focus on what we can actually handle. If we try to do too much, we might end up doing everything poorly or feeling so stressed that we can’t enjoy anything. It’s better to focus on fewer things and do them well than to spread ourselves too thin and burn out.

I think this expression also applies to life outside of school, like with family or even hobbies. It’s not just about being lazy or not trying hard; it’s about being smart with our energy and time so we can actually enjoy what we’re doing and feel proud of it. Sometimes, it’s better to say no or ask for help than to struggle alone with too much on our plate ^{another expression}. ♨_♨

Examples of the Expression in Use

1. English: I tried to do three group projects, volunteer, and study for exams all at once, but I realized I was biting off more than I could chew.
   Spanish: Intenté hacer tres proyectos en grupo, ser voluntario y estudiar para los exámenes al mismo tiempo, pero me di cuenta de que estaba mordiendo más de lo que podía masticar.🥴

2. English: When I joined two sports teams and took extra classes, my friends warned me not to bite off more than I could chew.
   Spanish: Cuando me uní a dos equipos deportivos y tomé clases extra, mis amigos me advirtieron que no mordiera más de lo que podía masticar. 😫

3. English: She agreed to help plan the school event, but with her personal problems, she ended up biting off more than she could chew.
   Spanish: Aceptó ayudar a planificar el evento escolar, pero con sus problemas personales, terminó mordiendo más de lo que podía masticar. 🙄

Interesting Note

1.- This expression has a literal origin: it refers to someone trying to bite a piece of food too big to chew. 🤢

Over time, it became a metaphor for overloading yourself with work, commitments, or stress. For mental health, it’s important to recognize when you’re “biting off too much” and learn to say no or ask for help. Balance is key! 💕;P

2.- IN SPANISH WILL BE THE EXPRESSION: EL QUE MUCHO ABARCA POCO APRIETA. ༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ

"Jugar con las probabilidades" o "Apostar según las probabilidades".

Meaning:

To make decisions based on the probability of success, often in situations involving risk, such as gambling or sports betting. It implies carefully weighing the chances and making a strategic choice.

Example of use:

"He decided to play the odds and bet on the underdog team because the payout would be higher if they won."

(Él decidió jugar con las probabilidades y apostar por el equipo desfavorecido porque la ganancia sería mayor si ganaban).

Explanation:

In gambling or sports betting, "playing the odds" means analyzing the likelihood of an event happening (like a team winning a game) and making decisions based on that analysis. The idiom can also be applied outside of gambling, meaning to make calculated choices in risky situations.

Equivalent in Spanish: "No sentirse bien" / "Estar indispuesto"

Examples of Use

In English:

1. I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I’ll stay home and rest.

2. After being caught in the rain yesterday, he’s been under the weather all day.

3. Sorry I couldn’t make it to the meeting; I was under the weather.

In Spanish:

1. Hoy me siento un poco indispuesto, así que me quedaré en casa a descansar.

2. Después de mojarme con la lluvia ayer, me he sentido mal todo el día.

3. Perdón por no haber ido a la reunión; estaba indispuesto.

In English, this idiom is a polite way to express mild illness or fatigue. In Spanish-speaking cultures, equivalents like "No me siento bien" are more direct, reflecting linguistic and cultural differences in how discomfort is expressed.

Related Expressions:

• English: "Feeling off-color," "Not feeling myself"

• Spanish: "Estar pachucho" "Estar malito".

It is used when someone seems to be lost in their thoughts and unaware of what is happening around them.

Some examples:

• You were in the clouds during the meeting, weren’t you? You didn’t even notice the boss asked you a question. (estabas en las nubes durante la reunión, ¿verdad? Ni siquiera notaste que el jefe te hizo una pregunta)

• María is always in the clouds when she has a lot on her mind. (María siempre está en las nubes cuando tiene muchas cosas en la cabeza)

• I can’t believe I forgot my homework at home again; I must have been in the clouds this morning. (No puedo creer que olvidé mis deberes en casa otra vez; debo haber estado en las nubes esta mañana)