In this article, we’ll review some Spanish idioms with llevar. This is a regular verb very frequently used in Spanish.

Spanish Idioms with Llevar

Let’s explore the following Spanish idioms with llevar. These are very popular and used in everyday conversations.

Llevarse como el perro y el gato (not to get along)

Llevarse como el perro y el gato indicates a very bad relationship.

Lucrecia y Marcos se llevan como el perro y el gato, ya no se saludan.

Lucrecia and Marcos don’t get along, they no longer say hello to each other.

Esta pareja se lleva como el perro y el gato. No están contentos juntos.

This couple doesn’t get along. They aren’t happy together.

Para llevar (to-go, take out)

Para llevar indicates food that is prepared and sold to eat away from the restaurant.

Comeré de camino al cine, pediré una hamburguesa para llevar.

I’ll eat on my way to the movies, I’ll order a burger from take out.

No podemos quedarnos dormidos en clase, tomemos ahora un café para llevar.

We can’t fall asleep in the classroom, let’s have some coffee to-go now.

Llevar la voz cantante (to be the boss)

Llevar la voz cantante means to be the boss, the leader with the initiative.

Aquí yo llevo la voz cantante, puedes irte si no te gusta.

I’m the boss here, you can leave if you don’t like it.

En las clases el profesor lleva la voz cantante, solo él da las instrucciones.

During lessons the teacher is the boss, he’s the only one who gives instructions.

Llevar la batuta (to call the shots)

Llevar la batuta was inspired by how conductor direct orchestras with batons. It expresses that someone is in charge and what they say should be done.

Son tres hermanos, pero quien lleva la batuta es Raúl.

There are three brothers, but Raúl is the one who calls the shots.

La secretaria lleva la batuta. Hace muchos años que trabaja allí.

The secretary calls the shots. She has been working there for many years now.

Llevarse por delante (to push aside)

Llevarse por delante means to put aside or to run over.

El coche iba tan rápido que se llevó por delante un árbol.

The car was going so fast that it ran over a tree.

Estaba corriendo, me distraje y casi me llevé por delante a una mujer.

I was running, I got distracted and I almost pushed a woman aside.

Llevar las de ganar (to have an advantage)

The last two Spanish idioms with llevar express opposite meanings. Llevar las de ganar means that in a struggle or competition you seem to have an advantage or the chance of winning.

Tú llevas las de ganar. Sé que tu última carta es un siete.

You have every chance of winning. I know that your last card is a seven.

Su abogado es el mejor. Tu marido lleva las de ganar en este juicio.

His lawyer is the best. Your husband has the advantage in this trial.

Llevar las de perder (to have a disadvantage)

Llevar las de perder means that in a struggle or competition you seem to have a disadvantage or the chance of losing.

En este juego de la brisca siempre llevo las de perder.

In this Brisca game I always stand to lose.

Solo tienes el rey y un peón, en esta partida de ajedrez llevas las de perder.

You only have your king and a pawn, you’re about to lose in this game of chess.

Exercises

There are more idioms with llevar. In our blog, you can also practice idioms with dar, echar, estar, hacer, poner, tener or tomar.

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

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