IdiomThe Absurd
Spanish
Spanishdale que te pego
Meaning: relentlessly; without stopping or holding back.
Literally: Hit that I hit you
Example: “Lleva toda la tarde dale que te pego con el violín.” — He's been going at the violin hammer and tongs all afternoon.
English equivalent: Hammer and tongs
Equivalents in other languages
English: hammer and tongs
French: D'estoc et de taille Literally: With point and with edge
Origin: Built from two verbs of hitting, dar and pegar, the phrase imitates the rhythm of someone pounding away at a task, or of an argument that goes round and round, blow after blow. The RAE dictionary lists it for doing something over and over without letting up. Its origin is not documented.
More Spanish idioms
- tira y afloja a back-and-forth negotiation or struggle where each side gives and takes.
- como pez en el agua perfectly at ease in a situation; in one's natural element.
- de pitiminí something trivial or of insignificant value.
- cada muerte de obispo extremely rarely; once in a blue moon.
- arroz con mango (Caribbean Spanish) A chaotic, confused mess or pandemonium.
- pico de oro someone with exceptional eloquence or persuasive speech.
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- Eres un crack You're brilliant — a total star at what you do.
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