Idioms are a fascinating aspect of language, offering cultural insights and adding color to everyday conversations. Spanish idioms with lengua (tongue) are particularly interesting due to their vivid imagery and frequent usage. These idioms encapsulate a range of human experiences and emotions, from the excitement of gossip to the frustration of forgetting a word. In this article, we will explore some common Spanish idioms with lengua, their meanings, and examples of how to use them in everyday conversation.

Spanish Idioms with Lengua

Understanding and using these Spanish idioms with lengua can greatly enhance your fluency and comprehension of Spanish, making your interactions more authentic and engaging.

Irse de la lengua (to spill the beans)

Irse de la lengua is used in Spain to express that someone gives more information about something than he or she should.

Le preparamos una fiesta sorpresa a mi tía, pero cuando estaba todo organizado, Laura se fue de la lengua y le contó que había una sorpresa para ella.

We prepared a surprise party for my aunt but when everything was organized, Laura spilled the beans and told her there was a surprise for her.

Tener en la punta de la lengua (to have something on the tip of one’s tongue)

Perdí el concurso en la última pregunta, aunque tenía la respuesta en la punta de la lengua.

I lost the competition at the last question, although I had the answer on the tip of my tongue.

Darle a la lengua (to chatter)

En la reunión, Juan no paraba de darle a la lengua. Nos contó anécdotas y chismes sin cesar, lo cual molestó a varios compañeros.

At the meeting, Juan wouldn’t stop chattering. He told us anecdotes and gossiping endlessly, which annoyed several colleagues.

Llegar con la lengua fuera (to arrive out of breath)

Después de correr cinco kilómetros para no perder el autobús, María llegó con la lengua fuera y casi sin aliento.

After running five kilometers to catch the bus, María arrived out of breath and almost out of energy.

Morderse la lengua (to hold one’s tongue)

Durante la discusión, preferí morderme la lengua y no decir nada que pudiera empeorar la situación con mis amigos.

During the argument, I preferred to hold my tongue and not say anything that could worsen the situation with my friends.

Morderse la lengua means to hold one’s tongue, so no morderse la lengua would be not to mince one’s words.

A pesar de que sabía que podría ofender, Pedro decidió no morderse la lengua y dijo exactamente lo que pensaba sobre el proyecto.

Even though he knew it might offend, Pedro decided not to mince his words and said exactly what he thought about the project.

Tirar de la lengua (to draw someone out)

Aunque sabía que era un tema delicado, intenté tirar de la lengua a mi hermano para que me contara lo que realmente había pasado.

Although I knew it was a sensitive topic, I tried to draw my brother out to tell me what had really happened.

Exercises

In this article, we have covered six Spanish idioms with lengua. Now let’s practice these popular Spanish idioms with lengua with the following exercises. Remember that in our blog you can find more idioms with body parts (boca, cabeza, cara, mano, oídos, ojos, pelo, pie…).

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

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Idioms and Phrases