IdiomBody & SensesSpanish

caérsele el alma a los pies

Meaning: to be deeply disappointed or dismayed.

Literally: The soul falls to one's feet

Example: “Se me cayó el alma a los pies al ver las notas.” — My heart sank when I saw the grades.

English equivalent: One's heart sinks

Equivalents in other languages

Origin: The soul is felt to drop from the chest all the way to the feet, the sinking feeling of sudden disappointment. The RAE dictionary lists caérsele a alguien el alma a los pies, and English "one's heart sinks" describes the same fall.

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