IdiomThe Absurd
Spanish
Spanishcrecer como la espuma
Meaning: To increase or expand very rapidly and dramatically.
Literally: To grow like foam
Example: “El club de ajedrez creció como la espuma tras el torneo.” — The chess club grew like wildfire after the tournament.
English equivalent: To grow like wildfire
Equivalents in other languages
English: grow like wildfire
Origin: Foam, on beer, soap or a boiling pot, rises suddenly and swells far beyond its starting size. Something that crece como la espuma grows the same way, fast and visibly: a business, a fortune, a rumor. Spanish also says subir como la espuma.
More Spanish idioms
- por la cara Boldly and undeservedly; without earning it or paying for it; purely out of audacity or s…
- a todo mecate (Mexican Spanish) At full speed; with maximum effort; going all out.
- de un plumazo suddenly or in a single swift action, as if accomplished with one stroke of a pen.
- mal trago a difficult or unpleasant experience; a bitter pill to swallow.
- en dos patadas very easily or effortlessly.
- ni a tiros absolutely not; under no circumstances.
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- Eres un aguafiestas You're a killjoy — you pour cold water on everyone's fun the moment you arrive.
- ¡Qué cara más dura! You've got incredible nerve and cheek — the audacity is almost impressive.
- Es un/una pesado/a A dreadful bore — their company feels like carrying extra weight.
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