IdiomBody & Senses
Spanish
Spanishvolver la espalda
Meaning: To reject, abandon, or refuse to help someone.
Literally: To turn the back
Example: “Cuando perdió el trabajo, muchos amigos le volvieron la espalda.” — When he lost his job, many friends turned their backs on him.
English equivalent: To turn one's back on someone
Equivalents in other languages
English: turn one's back on someone
Origin: Turning one's back on someone is the plainest gesture of refusing to deal with them. The RAE dictionary lists volver la espalda, or las espaldas, a alguien o algo. It is the ordinary gesture used figuratively and has no particular story behind it.
More Spanish idioms
- tener su miga To have hidden depth or complexity; to be more complicated than it appears.
- 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.
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