IdiomThe AbsurdSpanish

no ganar para sustos

Meaning: To be plagued by constant troubles and misfortunes; to suffer setback after setback.

Literally: To not earn for frights

Example: “Con ese coche viejo no gano para sustos.” — With that old car, it's one thing after another.

Origin: Ganar para means to earn enough to cover something, as in no ganar para zapatos, when shoes wear out faster than one can pay for them. Someone who no gana para sustos gets frights faster than they can absorb them: one scare or setback follows another. The RAE dictionary lists no ganar alguien para sustos.

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