Idioms or set phrases are expressions that convey a figurative meaning different from the literal interpretation of their individual words. They are unique linguistic constructs that often reflect the cultural and historical context in which they originated.

Idioms are commonly used in everyday language, adding flavor and depth to conversations and, in this article, we will cover 5 Spanish idioms with pelo or pelos (hair).

Idioms with Pelo

These idioms with pelo use this term metaphorically, so it is not possible to predict what they mean from the individual meaning of its separate parts when translated into another language. Let’s start exploring them Spanish idioms with pelo and unravel their meanings.

No tener un pelo de tonto (to be no fool)

No tener un pelo de tonto is used to describe someone who is very clever or intelligent. In this idiom, you should think of a hair (un pelo) as of something thin or insignificant.

Aunque no dice nada, Juan Manuel conoce muy bien los problemas de su madre. No tiene un pelo de tonto.

Although he doesn’t say anything, Juan Manuel knows his mom’s problems very well. He’s no fool.

No quiero comprar estos productos. No tengo un pelo de tonto; son de mala calidad.

I do not want to buy these products. I am no fool; they are bad quality.

No tener pelos en la lengua (not to mince words)

No tener pelos en la lengua literally translates to not having hair on your tongue, implying that the person is very outspoken or doesn’t hold back their opinions.

Laura es la persona indicada para defender nuestros derechos, porque está comprometida y no tiene pelos en la lengua.

Laura is the right person to defend our rights, because she is committed and does not mince words.

Le he dicho todo lo que pensaba sobre su horrible manera de actuar. Ya sabes que yo no tengo pelos en la lengua.

I have told him everything I thought about his horrible way of acting. You know I don’t mince words.

Tomarle el pelo (to pull someone’s leg)

Tomarle el pelo a alguien means to pull someone’s leg.

Los compañeros de trabajo de Sebastián no lo respetan. Sebastián no habla bien español y ellos le toman el pelo.

Sebastián’s co-workers don’t respect him. Sebastián doesn’t speak Spanish well, and they pull his leg.

En las cenas de empresa, Laura cuenta chistes malos sobre sus nietos, y nosotros le tomamos el pelo a ella.

At company dinners, Laura tells silly jokes about her grandchildren, and we pull her leg.

Por los pelos (by the skin of one’s teeth)

There are two similar idioms with pelo: por los pelos (mainly used in Spain) and por un pelo (often used in Mexico). They both mean by a hair or by the skin of one’s teeth.

No nací en Francia por los pelos. Mi madre trabajaba en la frontera cuando estaba embarazada.

I was not born in France by a hair. My mother was working at the border when she was pregnant.

Esos turistas han sobrevivido por los pelos porque el accidente fue muy grave.

Those tourists have survived by the skin of our teeth because the accident was very serious.

Con pelos y señales (in great detail)

Let’s finish the idioms with pelo with con pelos y señales. This set phrase means to explain something in great detail, leaving no aspect untouched.

¿Cómo fue tu cita del viernes con Antonio? Cuéntamelo todo con pelos y señales, estoy muy interesado.

How was your date with Antonio on Friday? Tell me everything in great detail, I’m very interested.

Nos explicó su operación de rodilla con pelos y señales y Miguel se mareó. Imaginar toda aquella sangre lo puso enfermo.

He explained his knee operation in great detail and Miguel got dizzy. Imagining all that blood made him sick.

Exercises

You can practice many Spanish idioms in our blog. For example, you will find more idioms with other body parts (cabeza, cara, oídos, ojos…). Now let’s do some exercises with the five Spanish idioms with pelo we have covered in this article.

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

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Idioms and Phrases