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armar la de san Quintín

Meaning: to start a violent fight or brawl; to cause a huge commotion.

Language: Spanish

Literally: to arm the one of Saint Quintín

Category: The Absurd

Origin: The phrase alludes to the Battle of Saint-Quentin (1557), a fierce military clash, though the exact connection to everyday fights is folk etymology.

More idioms — The Absurd

  • dale que te pego — relentlessly; without stopping or holding back.
  • no haber color — there is no comparison; one option is vastly superior to another.
  • a montones — In vast quantities; abundantly available and unremarkable.
  • crecer como la espuma — To increase or expand very rapidly and dramatically.
  • viva estampa — An exact likeness; someone or something that looks exactly like another.
  • éramos pocos y parió la abuela — as if that wasn't enough, things went from bad to worse.

More Spanish idioms

  • cuentas de la lechera — plans or hopes based on fantasy rather than reality; wishful thinking that ignores practi…
  • en la estacada — abandoned or left in a difficult situation without help.
  • ahogarse en poca agua — to panic or overreact to a minor problem.
  • morder el polvo — to be defeated or to die.
  • tira y afloja — a back-and-forth negotiation or struggle where each side gives and takes.
  • a escondidillas — in secret; covertly or without someone's knowledge.

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