Spanish idioms with pierna are a great way to explore how body-related language enriches expression and meaning. Spanish is full of colorful phrases that involve body parts, and one smart way to approach them is by focusing on commonly used examples—like those featuring pierna. The word pierna means leg in Spanish, and it features in many idiomatic expressions that reveal how speakers think about strength, beauty, risk, and more. In this article, we’ll look at five Spanish idioms with pierna, explore their meanings, and see how they’re used in real-life contexts.

Spanish Idioms with Pierna

Spanish idioms with pierna give us a glimpse into how language reflects action, emotion, and culture. They can also help you sound more fluent and natural. Practice them in conversation and writing—you’ll find they’re worth standing on!

A pierna suelta (freely)

A pierna suelta suggests doing something freely, without restrictions. It can refer to walking comfortably, but also metaphorically to living freely or behaving loosely.

En vacaciones, me gusta dormir a pierna suelta.

On vacation, I love sleeping like a log.

Después de jubilarse, empezó a vivir a pierna suelta y sin preocupaciones.

After retiring, she began to live freely and without worries.

Con el rabo entre las piernas (with your tail between your legs)

The idiom con el rabo entre las piernas describes someone who leaves a place feeling ashamed, embarrassed, or defeated.

Salió con el rabo entre las piernas después de que lo regañaran en público.

He left with his tail between his legs after being scolded in public.

Volvió con el rabo entre las piernas tras haber fallado en su intento de impresionar.

He came back embarrassed after failing to impress.

Estirar las piernas (to stretch one’s legs)

Estirar las piernas means to stretch one’s legs, often by going for a walk after sitting or resting for a while.

Me levanté del sofá para estirar las piernas y tomar un poco de aire fresco.

I got up from the couch to stretch my legs and get some fresh air.

Después de tantas horas en el avión, salimos a estirar las piernas por el aeropuerto.

After so many hours on the plane, we went to stretch our legs at the airport.

Hacer piernas (to exercise, to walk)

Hacer piernas refers to walking or moving around to strengthen or exercise the legs.

Vamos a hacer piernas. Vamos a dar una vuelta por el parque antes de cenar.

Let’s exercise our legs. We are going to walk around the park before dinner to get some leg exercise.

El fisioterapeuta me recomendó hacer piernas cada mañana para mejorar la circulación.

The physical therapist recommended I walk every morning to improve circulation.

Salir por piernas (to flee quickly)

Let’s wrap up today’s Spanish idioms with pierna with the expression salir por piernas — a colloquial phrase meaning to flee quickly, usually in a hurry or out of fear.

El ladrón salió por piernas cuando oyó la sirena de la policía.

The thief ran off when he heard the police siren.

Al ver el fuego, todos salieron por piernas del edificio sin mirar atrás.

When they saw the fire, everyone fled the building in a hurry.

Exercises

Now, let’s practice these expressions with the following exercises. Remember, you can find more idioms with body parts on our blog (boca, cabeza, cara, espalda, lengua, mano, oídos, ojos, pelo, pie…).

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

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Idioms and Phrases