Definitions tagged refranes in the street dictionary.
It means that a powerful, intelligent, or important person does not waste time or effort on trivial matters or insignificant people. (This phrase suggests that some things are simply beneath one's notice).
'Look son, aguila no casa mosca.' 'My grandmother always said that aguila no casa mosca.'
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used to describe someone who is all talk and no action, or a situation where there is a lot of hype for something ultimately insignificant. It uses the metaphor of chewing a lot of gum but being unable to blow a bubble.
I do not know what you are talking about, mucho chicle, pero poca bomba. He talks and talks, but mucho chicle y poca bomba.
Automatically translated from Spanish
An expression used to signal having reached a breaking point or being fed up with a situation, or to announce the end of a session, meeting, or workday. (It relates to the idiom Hasta aquí nos trajo el río, which suggests that a journey or the current has come to an end.)
Hasta aquí llegamos, I cannot take it anymore. Well, hasta aquí llegamos, see you tomorrow.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A Venezuelan proverb used to advocate for moderation and balance. It suggests that things should not be taken to extremes, meaning one should neither underdo nor overdo something (Literally: neither so bald nor with two wigs).
Okay, just relax, ni tan calvo ni con dos pelucas. / Don't overthink or get crazy ideas, look, ni tan calvo ni con dos pelucas.
Automatically translated from Spanish
This proverb suggests that a person's character or bad habits are impossible to change once they are established. It is the equivalent of saying a leopard cannot change its spots. (It shares a meaning with another common phrase about someone born with a big belly never being able to flatten it, even with a girdle).
Look, do not waste your time, árbol que nace torcido, nunca su tronco endereza. Also: Even if you insist, remember that árbol que nace torcido, nunca su tronco endereza.
Automatically translated from Spanish
This phrase means that where there was once a romantic relationship, feelings or sparks may still linger and could be rekindled. It is synonymous with the rural Venezuelan expression "en rastrojo viejo siempre hay batatas" (there are always sweet potatoes in old farmland), which implies that even a field that was cleared long ago can still produce something.
"Don't give up, donde hubo fuego, cenizas quedan." "They claim there is nothing between them, but donde hubo fuego, cenizas quedan."
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Used to point out the resemblance between parents and their children, whether in looks, personality, or skills. It is the local equivalent of saying the apple doesn't fall far from the tree (literally: a cat's son hunts mice).
That is definitely your son, hijo de gato casa ratón; you look just like your father, hijo de gato casa ratón.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used to say that a child behaves or looks exactly like their parent. It is the Spanish equivalent of saying someone is a chip off the old block or like father, like son. (Venezuelans also use the phrase hijo de gato, caza ratón, meaning a cat's kitten will naturally hunt mice, to express this same idea.)
De tal palo, tal astilla; they have the same habits. Those gestures are just like your mother's, de tal palo, tal astilla.
Automatically translated from Spanish
An idiom used to say that older people cannot learn new skills or change their ways. It is often used by older people as an excuse when they find a new task difficult (based on the idea that parrots only learn to speak when young).
You are not going to learn that, loro viejo no aprende a hablar. / Stop trying, remember that loro viejo no aprende a hablar.
Automatically translated from Spanish
This phrase describes people who are all talk and no action, implying there is a lot of noise but little substance. (Cultural note: bulla means noise or racket, and cabulla is a thin rope).
Don't listen to them, Más es la bulla que la cabulla. Don't believe them, they make Más es la bulla que la cabulla.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A phrase used to signal a final limit or a departure. It is used to announce one is leaving or to warn someone that they have reached the end of the line and can go no further.
Well, I am off, hasta aquí me trajo el río. Enough, man, hasta aquí te trajo el río.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A popular saying used to advise moderation, meaning that even something good can become a problem if you overdo it. (Cilantro is a staple herb in Venezuelan cooking, but its strong flavor can easily overpower a dish if used in excess.)
Look honey, do not exaggerate, es bueno el cilantro pero no tanto. She wants to do way too many things at once and I already told her that es bueno el cilantro pero no tanto.
Automatically translated from Spanish
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