5 Spanish idioms relating to food you need to learn now

In a conversation with native Spanish speakers chances are you are going to hear cultural expressions, idioms or sayings. Phrases that you have to figure out not by its literal meaning but its relation to the conversation or context.

It is quite important to learn and to be aware of these expressions, they make language more interesting and will help you to immerse yourself in the culture.

Here, you will find 5 expressions that have food related terms in them. Remember, the translation will not make sense at all in most cases, the key to learn them is not to look at them or read them in a literal sense. Enjoy!

1. Pedirle peras al olmo

Translation: To expect an elm to bear pears.

English equivalent: You can’t get blood out of a stone/turnip.

Meaning: To ask the impossible

Example:
“No esperes que él corra 5Km, no hay que pedirle peras al olmo.”
Don’t expect him to run 5Km, you can’t get blood out of a stone.

2. Ser pan comido

Translation: Eaten bread

English equivalent: A piece of cake / easy peasy

Meaning: Something easy to do

Example:
“¡Ganar este partido va a ser pan comido!”
Winning this game is going to be a piece of cake!

3. Ponerse rojo como un tomate

Translation: To turn red as a tomato

English equivalent: go beet red / go as red as a beet / turn beetroot

Meaning: To become very red in the face, usually because you are embarrassed

Example:

“De repente se puso roja como un tomate”
She suddenly turned as red as a beetroot

4. llorar sobre la leche derramada

Translation: cry over spilled milk

English equivalent: cry over spilled milk

Meaning: get upset over something that has happened and cannot be changed

Example:
“Sé que perdimos el autobús, pero no hay que llorar sobre la leche derramada, todavía tenemos tiempo.”
I know we missed the bus, but there’s no need to cry over spilled milk, we still have time.