The word nube in Spanish means cloud, and just like in English, it often appears in colorful idiomatic expressions. These idioms can express emotions, describe unclear situations, or add poetic flair to everyday speech. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common Spanish idioms with nubes, understand their meanings, and see how to use them with real-life examples.

Spanish Idioms with Nubes

Spanish idioms with nubes are vivid, expressive, and useful in everyday situations. Whether you’re describing someone’s mood, reacting to rising prices, or brainstorming ideas, these phrases help you sound more natural and fluent. Make sure to practice them, and soon you’ll be speaking Spanish with fewer clouds of confusion!

Estar en las nubes (to be in the clouds)

This expression literally means to be in the clouds, and it describes someone who is distracted, daydreaming, or not paying attention.

No puedes estar en las nubes cuando conduces por la ciudad.

You can’t be in the clouds when driving through the city.

Durante la clase, Pedro siempre está en las nubes y no escucha al profesor.

During class, Pedro is always in the clouds and doesn’t listen to the teacher.

Estar por las nubes (to be sky-high, to be through the roof)

The idiom estar por las nubes is used to talk about something being very expensive or overpriced.

El precio de la gasolina está por las nubes esta semana.

The price of gasoline is through the roof this week.

Los hoteles en esa zona están por las nubes en temporada alta.

Hotels in that area are sky-high during peak season.

Poner por las nubes (to praise)

This idiom means to praise someone or something highly or to speak highly of someone or something.

Todos pusieron por las nubes el discurso del presidente.

Everyone praised the president’s speech to the skies.

La crítica puso por las nubes la nueva película del director español.

The critics praised the new Spanish director’s movie to the skies.

Subir a las nubes (to go up to the clouds)

This idiom often refers to prices or emotions rising a lot—especially prices, expectations, or praise.

El alquiler ha subido a las nubes en los últimos años.

Rent has gone up to the clouds in recent years.

Desde que ganó el premio, su ego subió a las nubes y ya no saluda a nadie.

Since he won the prize, his ego went up to the clouds and he doesn’t greet anyone anymore.

Bajar de las nubes (to come down from the clouds)

Let’s finish today’s Spanish idioms with nubes with the phrase bajar de las nubes, which is used when someone needs to return to reality after dreaming or having unrealistic expectations.

Después de sus vacaciones, tuvo que bajar de las nubes y volver a su rutina diaria.

After his vacation, he had to come down from the clouds and return to his daily routine.

Sueñas con ser cantante, pero debes bajar de las nubes y estudiar para los exámenes.

You dream of being a singer, but you need to come down from the clouds and study for your exams.

Exercises

Now, let’s practice these five Spanish idioms with nubes with the following exercises. Remember, you can find in our blog more idioms with body parts (boca, cabeza, lengua, mano, ojos, pie…), food, nature…

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Categorized in:

Idioms and Phrases