
IdiomFood & Drink
Spanish
tener su miga
Meaning: To have hidden depth or complexity; to be more complicated than it appears.
Literally: To have its crumb
Example: “El cuento parece sencillo, pero tiene su miga.” — The story looks simple, but there's more to it than meets the eye.
English equivalent: More than meets the eye
Equivalents in other languages
English: more than meets the eye
Origin: Miga is the soft inside of a loaf, as opposed to the crust, and by extension the substance of something. A matter that tiene su miga has more inside it than its plain outside suggests: it is trickier, more interesting or more meaningful than it looks. Spanish also says hacer buenas migas (to make good crumbs) for getting on well together.
More Spanish idioms
- con el rabo entre las piernas In a state of shame, defeat, or humiliation; cowed and demoralized.
- quedarle cuerda To still have plenty of energy, vitality, or usefulness left.
- de grado o por fuerza Whether one likes it or not; willingly or unwillingly.
- de caballo Enormous; of impressive or overwhelming size or intensity.
- mandarse a mudar (Latin American Spanish) To leave abruptly or without notice; to depart hastily.
- a pesar de los pesares Despite all difficulties and hardships; no matter what obstacles arise.
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