IdiomDaily Life
Spanish
Spanishde grado o por fuerza
Meaning: Whether one likes it or not; willingly or unwillingly.
Literally: Of grace or by force
Example: “De grado o por fuerza, mañana vas al dentista.” — Willy-nilly, you're going to the dentist tomorrow.
English equivalent: Willy-nilly
Equivalents in other languages
English: willy-nilly
Origin: Grado here keeps its old sense of goodwill or consent (from Latin gratum, what is pleasing), the sense still heard in de buen grado, willingly. The pairing leaves only two ways for something to happen: willingly or by force. French has the same formula, de gré ou de force.
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.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Zapatero, a tus zapatos Stick to what you know and don't meddle in other people's business.
- Aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda Fine clothes or appearances don't change what someone really is.
- Más vale ser cabeza de ratón que cola de león It is better to lead something small than to be a minor part of something big.
Keep exploring