IdiomDaily LifeSpanish

a pesar de los pesares

Meaning: Despite all difficulties and hardships; no matter what obstacles arise.

Literally: In spite of the sorrows

Example: “A pesar de los pesares, la función se celebró.” — Come hell or high water, the show went on.

English equivalent: Come hell or high water

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Origin: A play on words: a pesar de means "in spite of," and pesares are sorrows, so the phrase stacks the two, "in spite of all the sorrows." It means despite everything, and the repetition gives it the weight of a sigh.

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