Quedarse de piedra
Meaning: To be stunned speechless.
Language: Spanish
Literally: To be left as stone
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: Echoes Medusa's petrifying gaze from Greek myth, an image Spanish writers borrowed for any news that freezes you solid.
Equivalents in other languages
- Greek: Μου έφυγε το καφάσι — literally: My crate flew off
More idioms — Body & Senses
- 발이 넓다 (bari neopda) — To be extremely well-connected.
- Å ha bein i nesa — To be assertive and able to stand your ground.
- Å snakke rett fra leveren — To speak frankly, without softening anything.
- At slå koldt vand i blodet — To calm down and keep a cool head.
- Брати ноги в руки (Braty nohy v ruky) — To hurry up and get moving quickly.
- על הפנים (al hapanim) — Terrible, awful, in a wretched state.
More Spanish idioms
- Ser uña y carne — To be inseparable; the closest of friends.
- Dar gato por liebre — To swindle by passing off something inferior as the real thing.
- Importar un pepino — To not care in the slightest.
- Ponerse las pilas — To get your act together and start working hard.
- Estar en el ajo — To be in on a secret or scheme.
- Ser la oveja negra — To be the outcast of the family or group.
From our false friends
- Once — Actually means 'eleven'. For once (one time), say una vez.
- Vaso — Actually means 'a drinking glass'. A vase (for flowers) is un jarrón or florero.
- Embarazada — Actually means 'pregnant'. For embarrassed, say avergonzado/a.