IdiomBody & SensesSpanish

con el pie derecho

Meaning: To make a good start or beginning.

Literally: With the right foot

Example: “Empezó el curso con el pie derecho: aprobó todo en enero.” — She started the year off on the right foot, passing everything in January.

English equivalent: To get off on the right foot

Equivalents in other languages

Origin: Stepping off on the right foot has long been thought lucky, the left being the unlucky side in European tradition, as in Latin sinister. Starting something con el pie derecho is starting well, and its opposite is con el pie izquierdo; Spanish also says levantarse con el pie izquierdo for getting out of bed on the wrong side.

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