de grado o por fuerza
Meaning: Whether one likes it or not; willingly or unwillingly.
Language: Spanish
Literally: of grace or by force
Category: Daily Life
Origin: Origin uncertain; the phrase contrasts voluntary acceptance with coercion, presenting two exhaustive alternatives.
More idioms — Daily Life
- mandarse a mudar — To leave abruptly or without notice; to depart hastily.
- a pesar de los pesares — Despite all difficulties and hardships; no matter what obstacles arise.
- sin cuartel — Without mercy or restraint; ruthlessly and completely.
- vender la moto — To trick or deceive someone, often by persuading them to believe a false story.
- a vida o muerte — In a desperate, all-or-nothing struggle where the stakes are the highest possible.
- llevar la contraria — To argue against or contradict someone habitually.
More Spanish idioms
- de caballo — Enormous; of impressive or overwhelming size or intensity.
- perder los estribos — To lose one's temper or composure; to become angry or agitated.
- caérsele el alma a los pies — to be deeply disappointed or dismayed.
- dorar la píldora — to make something unpleasant more palatable by presenting it attractively.
- oler a chamusquina — a situation is becoming tense or dangerous; trouble is brewing.
- cazar al vuelo — To seize or take something quickly before someone else can.
From our proverbs
- God never measures men by inches. — Height matters less than character; true worth is invisible to the eye.
- Industry is fortune's right hand and frugality her left. — Hard work and careful spending together create wealth; neither alone suffices.
- Ingratitude is the daughter of pride. — Pride blinds people to others' kindness, making them unable to recognize or acknowledge t…