Buscar una aguja en un pajar
Meaning: To search for something you have almost no chance of finding, because the thing is tiny and the place holding it is vast.
Language: Spanish
Literally: To look for a needle in a haystack
Category: The Absurd
Origin: A pajar is not a heap in a field but the loft or barn where straw is kept, from paja, straw. The Spanish picture is a shade larger than the English one: not one stack to sift through, but a whole building full of it.
Equivalents in other languages
- English: Look for a needle in a haystack
- French: Chercher une aiguille dans une botte de foin — literally: To look for a needle in a bundle of hay
- German: Eine Nadel im Heuhaufen suchen — literally: To search for a needle in the haystack
More idioms — The Absurd
- Ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard — It's nothing special or impressive.
- C'est comme pisser dans un violon — A completely pointless effort.
- Da steppt der Bär — It's going to be a great party.
- Ich glaub mein Schwein pfeift — I can't believe it! That's outrageous!
- Estar como una cabra — To be completely crazy.
- Fare il diavolo a quattro — To raise absolute hell; to cause a huge scene.
More Spanish idioms
- Estar en la edad del pavo — To be at an awkward teenage phase.
- Tener mala leche — To be in a foul mood or have bad intentions.
- No tener pelos en la lengua — To speak very bluntly and honestly.
- Ser pan comido — To be extremely easy.
- Dar calabazas — To reject someone romantically.
- Tirar la casa por la ventana — To spare no expense; to go all out.
From our compliments & insults
- Eres un sol — You're a lovely, warm-hearted person.
- Eres más bueno que el pan — You are a genuinely good, kind soul.
- Tienes menos luces que un barco pirata — You're really not the brightest.
Browse all compliments & insults →
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