In today’s post Spanish idioms: “Ponerse las botas” we will learn how to use this typical Spanish expression. Let’s improve your Spanish speaking skills with the blog of pur Spanish school, El Rincón del Tándem! 😊
Idioms are expressions that are peculiar of a language and are established by usage.
The meaning of an idiom is not just the result of the conjoined meanings of the words it is composed of.
They have their own unique meanings and, in many cases, cannot be translated literally to another language.
Therefore, unlike compound words, the meaning of the idioms is not deducible from those of its single elements.
But, why it important to learn Spanish idioms?
Using expressions and idioms make your Spanish sound more fluent and authentic. Besides, they will enrich your speech in Spanish and make you speak like a native Spanish speaker 😉
Today we are going to learn how to properly use the Spanish idiom: “Ponerse las bota”.
This phrase literally means “put on boots”. Although the origin of this Spanish expression is somehow related to boots, it does not have anything to do with fashion or the action of wearing something.
In Spanish we say “ponerse las botas” when we eat too much or when an action is being carried out copiously.
The origin of this idioms traced back in old times, when only people from upper and wealthy classes could wear expensive footwears like boots.
Hence, boots turned into a symbol of wealth and abundance.
Let’s see the two main usages:
Ponerse las botas (eating)
In Spain, ponerse las botas means “to have a blow-out, to pig-out” (informal).
Normally, in the traditional Sunday family meals, Spaniards usually se ponen las botas. That also happens a lot to Spanish people at wedding or special occasions and celebrations, like Christmas, etc.
Let’s see some examples:
- Nos pusimos las botas en la boda de Lucía = We pigged out at Lucia’s wedding
In this case, we might also use other Spanish idioms, i.e. “comer más de la cuenta” and “ponerse morado”.
It is believed that ponerse morado (literally “turning purple”) refers to cyanosis. An illness that makes the skin turns bluish and that is related to a very large food intake.
- Comí más de la cuenta y ahora me duele el estomago = I ate too much and now my stomach hurts
- En Navidad me pongo morada de turrón y mistela = In Christmas time I pig out on nougat and mistela
When related to drink, in Spanish we’d better say “ponerse hasta arriba de”:
- Juan se puso hasta arriba de cerveza = Juan got drunk on beer
Ponerse las botas (finances)
In English we would say “to hit the jackpot”, “to strike it rich”.
- Alicia se puso las botas con el dinero que recibió para su cumpleaños = Alicia hit the jackpot with all the money she received at her birthday
We hope this article on Spanish idioms: “Ponerse las botas” helped you use this expression when speaking with your friends 😊
As usual, our Spanish school, El Rincón del Tándem is glad to provide you with Spanish lessons here in Valencia.
If you want to learn Spanish and do it intensively, you might be interested in our Intensive Spanish course.
¡Hasta pronto!
