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.
From our compliments & insults
- Pareces un pulpo en un garaje — You're completely out of place — flailing around uselessly in an environment that makes n…
- Eres la leche — You're the best — absolutely fantastic.
- Eres más corto que las mangas de un chaleco — You're not the sharpest — a bit slow on the uptake.