IdiomDaily Life
Spanish
Spanishsin cuartel
Meaning: Without mercy or restraint; ruthlessly and completely.
Literally: Without quarter
Example: “Fue una competencia sin cuartel entre las dos panaderías.” — It was a no-holds-barred competition between the two bakeries.
English equivalent: No holds barred
Equivalents in other languages
English: no holds barred
Origin: Cuartel here is not a barracks but quarter in the old military sense: mercy granted to a defeated enemy, whose life was spared if they surrendered. Fighting sin cuartel means refusing any surrender and showing no mercy, the same idea as English "no quarter." Spanish uses it for any merciless struggle, from wars to price wars.
More Spanish idioms
- 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.
- codo con codo Standing shoulder to shoulder, side by side in close proximity.
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