30 Colloquial Colombian Idioms for Understanding Everyday Humor

Colombian Spanish is full of lively and humorous idiomatic expressions that can leave newcomers both confused and amused. Understanding these idioms will not only help you connect with locals but also let you in on the humor embedded in everyday conversations. In this article, we break down 30 colloquial Colombian Spanish idioms into sections, each focused on helping you understand the humorous side of Colombian culture.

1. Common Colombian Idioms About Getting Confused

• Más perdido que el hijo de Lindbergh
  This phrase is used humorously to describe someone who is completely lost or confused in a situation.
  Example: Estaba más perdido que el hijo de Lindbergh en esa fiesta.
  (I was totally lost at that party.)
• Pillar
  A common Colombian idiom meaning to catch or realize something suddenly, often used in a humorous context.
  Example: Te pillé robando galletas.
  (I caught you sneaking cookies.)
• Estar en las nubes
  Used to describe someone who’s daydreaming or distracted. It’s often used to tease someone in a humorous way.
  Example: Pareces estar en las nubes, ¿todo bien?
  (You seem like you’re daydreaming, is everything okay?)

2. Colloquial Idioms for Expressing Frustration

• Sacar la piedra
  A humorous and expressive way to say that someone or something makes you angry.
  Example: El tráfico me saca la piedra todos los días.
  (Traffic makes me angry every day.)
• Dar papaya
  This popular Colombian idiom means to make yourself an easy target for problems or theft.
  Example: No des papaya dejando la puerta abierta.
  (Don’t make yourself a target by leaving the door open.)
• Meter la pata
  A funny and casual way of saying that someone made a mistake.
  Example: Metí la pata en la entrevista y no me llamaron.
  (I messed up in the interview and they didn’t call me back.)

3. Funny Colombian Idioms About Exaggeration and Lies

• A otro perro con ese hueso
  A humorous way of telling someone you don’t believe their lie.
  Example: A otro perro con ese hueso, sé que no fuiste al gimnasio.
  (Don’t try to fool me, I know you didn’t go to the gym.)
• Comerse el cuento
  Means to fall for a lie or believe something that isn’t true.
  Example: Se comió el cuento de que los exámenes eran fáciles.
  (He fell for the lie that the exams were easy.)
• Pintar pajaritos en el aire
  A humorous phrase that refers to someone creating unrealistic expectations.
  Example: No me pintes pajaritos en el aire, sé honesto.
  (Don’t give me false hopes, be honest.)

4. Idioms for Describing Colombian Everyday Life Humor

• Tener pereza
  A common way to humorously express laziness or reluctance to do something.
  Example: Tengo pereza de levantarme temprano mañana.
  (I’m too lazy to get up early tomorrow.)
• Tomar el pelo
  A classic Colombian idiom meaning to tease or joke with someone.
  Example: Me estás tomando el pelo, ¿verdad?
  (You’re joking with me, right?)
• Echarse un polvo
  A casual, humorous way to refer to having sex.
  Example: Ellos se echaron un polvo después de la fiesta.
  (They had sex after the party.)

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5. Colombian Idioms for Talking About Money and Value

• Costar un ojo de la cara
  An idiom used to describe something very expensive.
  Example: Ese reloj cuesta un ojo de la cara.
  (That watch costs a fortune.)
• Llevar del bulto
  A humorous way to say that someone is unfairly taking the blame.
  Example: Siempre llevo del bulto cuando mis hermanos hacen travesuras.
  (I always get the blame when my siblings cause trouble.)
• Hacer una vaca
  This phrase means to pool money from a group, usually for a casual event.
  Example: Hagamos una vaca para comprar más cerveza.
  (Let’s pool money to buy more beer.)

6. Humorous Idioms About Relationships and Social Life

• Poner los cuernos
  An expression meaning to cheat on someone. Despite its serious meaning, it’s often used in a lighthearted or teasing way.
  Example: Dicen que él le puso los cuernos a su novia.
  (They say he cheated on his girlfriend.)
• Ser la oveja negra
  This idiom refers to the “black sheep” of the family, often used humorously.
  Example: Siempre me han visto como la oveja negra.
  (They’ve always seen me as the black sheep.)
• Caer gordo/a
  A way to say that you don’t like someone, often used in social humor.
  Example: Ese tipo me cae gordo, nunca para de hablar.
  (I don’t like that guy, he never stops talking.)

7. Colombian Idioms for Having a Good Time

• Tirar la casa por la ventana
  Used to describe going all out, usually for a celebration.
  Example: Tiramos la casa por la ventana para la boda.
  (We went all out for the wedding.)
• Estar jincho
  A funny expression used to describe someone who’s very drunk.
  Example: Carlos estaba jincho después de la fiesta.
  (Carlos was really drunk after the party.)
• Hacerle la segunda
  Means to back someone up in a situation, often used in a humorous context.
  Example: Hazme la segunda y dile que estamos ocupados.
  (Back me up and tell him we’re busy.)

8. Idioms for Staying Grounded in Colombian Spanish

• Tener los pies en la tierra
  This phrase means to be realistic and level-headed.
  Example: Es bueno tener los pies en la tierra cuando haces planes.
  (It’s good to stay grounded when making plans.)
• No tener pelos en la lengua
  An idiom for speaking frankly or bluntly, often used humorously.
  Example: No tiene pelos en la lengua cuando habla de política.
  (She doesn’t mince words when talking about politics.)
• Dar en el clavo
  This means to hit the nail on the head or say something exactly right.
  Example: Tu comentario dio en el clavo.
  (Your comment was spot on.)

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