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vender la moto

Meaning: To trick or deceive someone, often by persuading them to believe a false story.

Language: Spanish

Literally: to sell the motorcycle

Category: Daily Life

Origin: The image is of conning someone into buying a worthless motorcycle, or being sold a bill of goods; the specific origin is unclear but the phrase evokes a classic con.

More idioms — Daily Life

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  • llevar la contraria — To argue against or contradict someone habitually.
  • para andar por casa — Makeshift, temporary, or of poor quality; fit only for casual home use.
  • salvar las apariencias — To maintain an outward show of respectability or normalcy despite underlying problems.
  • a todo mecate — At full speed; with maximum effort; going all out.
  • de un plumazo — suddenly or in a single swift action, as if accomplished with one stroke of a pen.

More Spanish idioms

  • codo con codo — Standing shoulder to shoulder, side by side in close proximity.
  • crecer como la espuma — To increase or expand very rapidly and dramatically.
  • por la cara — Boldly and undeservedly; without earning it or paying for it; purely out of audacity or s…
  • viva estampa — An exact likeness; someone or something that looks exactly like another.
  • éramos pocos y parió la abuela — as if that wasn't enough, things went from bad to worse.
  • mal trago — a difficult or unpleasant experience; a bitter pill to swallow.

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