Idioms are a fascinating way to understand how a language reflects culture and everyday life. In Spanish, the word perro (dog) appears in many idiomatic expressions, and each one carries a vivid image that goes far beyond its literal meaning. In this article, we will explore some common Spanish idioms with perro, their meanings, and examples to help you use them naturally.

Spanish Idioms with Perro

Learning Spanish idioms with perro helps you understand cultural nuances and emotional tones in everyday communication. These idioms reveal how Spanish speakers use humor and exaggeration to describe real-life situations. By practicing Spanish idioms with perro, you can make your speech more expressive and natural.

Ser un perro viejo (to be an old dog)

Let’s start the idioms with perro with ser un perro viejo, which means to be experienced and clever, someone who can’t be easily fooled.

No intentes engañar a Manuel; es un perro viejo y conoce todos los trucos.

Don’t try to trick Manuel; he’s an old dog and knows all the tricks.

En el mundo de los negocios, Marta es una perra vieja que sabe negociar mejor que nadie.

In the business world, Marta is an old dog who knows how to negotiate better than anyone.

A otro perro con ese hueso (tell that to someone else)

A otro perro con ese hueso is a way to say you don’t believe someone’s excuse or story.

Me dices que llegaste tarde porque no encontraste un taxi, pero a otro perro con ese hueso.

You tell me you were late because you couldn’t find a taxi, but tell that to someone else.

Dijo que no estudió porque estaba enfermo, pero todos sabemos la verdad. ¡A otro perro con ese hueso!

He said he didn’t study because he was sick, but we all know the truth. Tell that to someone else!

Un perro faldero (a lapdog)

Un perro faldero is used to describe someone who follows another person everywhere or always obeys them.

Juan no tiene personalidad; siempre está detrás de su jefe como un perro faldero.

Juan has no personality; he’s always behind his boss like a lapdog.

A veces parece un perro faldero porque hace todo lo que su novia le pide sin cuestionarlo.

Sometimes he looks like a lapdog because he does everything his girlfriend asks without questioning it.

De perros (terrible, miserable)

De perros describe something hard, terrible or miserable.

Durante muchos años, Pedro llevó una vida de perros, trabajando sin descanso y sin disfrutar de nada.

For many years, Pedro lived a dog’s life, working without rest and enjoying nothing.

Ayer tuvo un día de perros. Le echaron del trabajo y, al volver a casa, tuvo un accidente de coche.

Yesterday he had a terrible day. He was fired from his job and, on his way home, he had a car accident.

Trabajar como un perro (to work like a dog)

Let’s finish the Spanish idioms with perro with trabajar como un perro. It means to work very hard, often excessively.

Mi padre trabajó como un perro toda su vida para darnos una buena educación.

My father worked like a dog all his life to give us a good education.

Estoy cansadísimo porque esta semana he trabajado como un perro para terminar el proyecto.

I’m exhausted because this week I’ve worked like a dog to finish the project.

Exercises

There are multiple set phrases with animals in Spanish. Today we have covered 5 Spanish idioms with perro that can be used in everyday conversation. Let’s do some exercises to practice them all.

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Categorized in:

Idioms and Phrases