The Spanish language is full of colorful expressions, many of which involve parts of the body. One of the most commonly used body parts in idiomatic expressions is the nariz (nose). Idioms that include nariz are used in everyday conversations to express emotions, judgments, or actions. In this article, we will explore several popular Spanish idioms with nariz, explain their meanings, and provide example sentences to help learners incorporate them into their vocabulary.

Spanish Idioms with Nariz

Learning idioms helps Spanish learners understand the culture behind the language and makes their speech sound more natural and fluent. Spanish idioms with nariz are particularly useful because they cover a wide range of emotions and social interactions.

Whether you’re expressing frustration, stubbornness, laziness, or talent, there’s likely a nariz idiom that fits the situation perfectly. The more idioms you know, the more nuanced and expressive your Spanish becomes.

Tener nariz para algo (to have nose for something)

Tener nariz literally means to have nose, or to have a knack or instinct for something.

Juan tiene nariz para detectar mentiras en cuanto alguien empieza a hablar.

Juan has a nose for detecting lies as soon as someone starts talking.

Mi hermana tiene nariz para los negocios y siempre encuentra buenas oportunidades.

My sister has a nose for business and always finds good opportunities.

Meter las narices en algo (to stick one’s nose into something)

Meter las narices means to stick one’s nose into something, that is, to meddle or interfere in someone else’s affairs.

No deberías meter las narices en la vida privada de los demás.

You shouldn’t stick your nose into other people’s private lives.

Siempre mete las narices en todo lo que hacemos en la oficina.

He always sticks his nose into everything we do at the office.

Estar hasta las narices de algo (to be fed up with something)

Estar hasta las narices means to be bed up or tired of something.

Estamos hasta las narices de sus excusas constantes.

We are fed up with his constant excuses.

Estoy hasta las narices de hacer siempre el mismo trabajo.

I am fed up with always doing the same job.

Salirle de las narices (to feel like)

This is one of the most interesting Spanish idioms with nariz. It is commonly used in informal conversations to express that someone does something simply because they feel like it, often impulsively or stubbornly. It can suggest a lack of concern for rules, logic, or what others think.

Siempre hace lo que le sale de las narices sin pensar en los demás.

He always does whatever he feels like without thinking of others.

Hoy no voy a clase porque no me da la gana, simplemente no me sale de las narices.

I’m not going to class today because I don’t feel like it, I just don’t feel like.

Tocar las narices (to annoy, to bother)

Tocar las narices literally means to touch someone’s nose. However, it means to annoy or to bother someone.

Me toca mucho las narices que siempre llegues tarde.

It really annoys me that you’re always late.

Si sigues tocándole las narices, se va a enfadar de verdad.

If you keep bothering him, he’s really going to get angry.

Tocarse las narices (to do nothing)

The previous idiom tocar las narices and tocarse las narices are two Spanish idioms with nariz, as both involve irritation or disapproval, but they are quite different in meaning.

While tocar las narices refers to bothering or annoying someone, tocarse las narices describes someone doing absolutely nothing—often lazily avoiding work or responsibility.

Lleva todo el día tocándose las narices mientras los demás trabajamos.

He’s been doing nothing all day while the rest of us are working.

Con el dinero de la herencia puede pasar mucho tiempo tocándose las narices.

With the inheritance money, he can spend a long time doing nothing.

Exercises

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

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

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Idioms and Phrases