25 Colombian Spanish Idioms to Decode Local Conversations Like a Native

The Secret Code of Colombian Conversations

Colombian Spanish is a vibrant, colorful, and expressive variant of the language that goes far beyond what traditional language courses teach. If you’ve ever found yourself in Colombia—or just talking to Colombians—and suddenly everyone is laughing at something you didn’t quite catch, chances are you missed an idiom.

Idioms are the backbone of real conversations. They carry emotional weight, cultural context, and sometimes a good dose of humor. For language learners who want to blend in and connect, understanding these sayings is not optional—it’s essential. That's why Colombian Spanish Essentials is such a valuable resource. It helps you dive into the language locals actually use, so you can stop sounding like a textbook and start speaking like a paisa.

Let’s dive into 25 common idioms that unlock the essence of Colombian Spanish.

1–5: Daily Life Expressions You’ll Hear on the Street

1. Estar en la olla

Literally “to be in the pot,” this phrase means to be in a bad situation—usually financial.

Después del viaje, quedé en la olla.
(After the trip, I was broke.)

2. Hacer vaca

Not “making a cow,” but pooling money together for a shared expense.

Hagamos vaca para comprar unas cervezas.
(Let’s chip in to buy some beers.)

3. Irse por las ramas

“To go through the branches” means avoiding the main topic—beating around the bush.

No te vayas por las ramas, dime la verdad.
(Don’t beat around the bush, tell me the truth.)

4. No dar papaya

One of the most iconic Colombian idioms. “Don’t give papaya” means don’t make yourself an easy target—whether for thieves, jokes, or criticism.

No des papaya dejando el celular ahí.
(Don’t tempt fate by leaving your phone there.)

5. Sacar la piedra

Literally “to take out the stone,” but it means to make someone mad.

Ese tráfico me saca la piedra.
(That traffic drives me crazy.)

6–10: Food, Family, and Culture in Saying

6. Comer cuento

To “eat a story” is to believe something too easily, like being gullible.

No comas cuento, eso es mentira.
(Don’t fall for that, it’s a lie.)

7. Más perdido que el hijo de Limber

“More lost than Limber’s son”—a humorous way to say someone is totally clueless or lost.

Estaba más perdido que el hijo de Limber en esa reunión.
(I was completely lost in that meeting.)

8. Quedarse en veremos

To remain “in we'll see”—indicates something uncertain or pending.

El viaje quedó en veremos por el mal clima.
(The trip is up in the air because of bad weather.)

9. Estar como una cabra

“To be like a goat” means someone is a little crazy or wild.

Ese man está como una cabra, mira lo que hizo.
(That guy is nuts, look what he did.)

10. Poner los cachos

Literally “to put the horns,” this phrase refers to cheating in a relationship.

Le puso los cachos a su novia.
(He cheated on his girlfriend.)

11–15: Humor and Sarcasm in Colombian Slang

11. Dormirse en los laureles

“To sleep on your laurels” is used when someone becomes complacent after achieving something.

Ganó un premio y se durmió en los laureles.
(He won an award and got too comfortable.)

12. Estar en las nubes

Being “in the clouds” is a metaphor for being distracted or absent-minded.

Siempre estás en las nubes cuando hablo contigo.
(You’re always daydreaming when I talk to you.)

13. Hablar hasta por los codos

Someone who “talks even through the elbows” talks a lot.

Esa señora habla hasta por los codos.
(That lady never stops talking.)

 

14. Tirar la casa por la ventana

To “throw the house out the window” means to spend a lot for a big celebration.

Para los quince de su hija, tiraron la casa por la ventana.
(They spared no expense for their daughter’s fifteenth birthday.)

15. Estar enguayabado

Unique to Colombia, this means being hungover—literally “guayaba’d.”

Después de la fiesta, estaba enguayabado todo el día.
(After the party, I had a terrible hangover.)

16–20: Emotional and Expressive Phrases

16. Caer como anillo al dedo

“To fall like a ring to the finger”—when something is just perfect.

Ese trabajo me cayó como anillo al dedo.
(That job was perfect for me.)

17. Echarle los perros a alguien

“To throw the dogs at someone” means to flirt aggressively.

Ese man me está echando los perros.
(That guy is hitting on me hard.)

18. Estar vuelto nada

“To be turned into nothing” is used when someone is exhausted or overwhelmed.

Después de trabajar doce horas, estoy vuelto nada.
(After working 12 hours, I’m wrecked.)

19. Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo

“The devil knows more from being old than from being the devil.” A nod to the wisdom of experience.

Hazle caso al abuelo, más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo.
(Listen to grandpa—experience is everything.)

20. A otro perro con ese hueso

“To another dog with that bone” means “Don’t try to fool me.”

A otro perro con ese hueso, no te creo nada.
(Don’t try that on me, I don’t believe a word.)

21–25: Common Sayings With Hidden Depth

21. Irse de jeta

“To go face-down” means to fall flat—physically or metaphorically.

Se fue de jeta en la calle.
(He fell flat on his face in the street.)

22. Sacar el cuerpo

“To take out the body” means to avoid a responsibility or person.

Siempre le saca el cuerpo al trabajo en grupo.
(He always avoids group work.)

23. Tener la lengua larga

“To have a long tongue” is to gossip or talk too much.

No le cuentes nada, tiene la lengua muy larga.
(Don’t tell her anything—she gossips too much.)

24. Echar carreta

Means to ramble, exaggerate, or talk nonsense.

Ese tipo solo echa carreta.
(That guy just rambles on.)

25. No tener pelos en la lengua

“To have no hairs on the tongue” describes someone brutally honest.

Ella no tiene pelos en la lengua, dice todo como es.
(She’s blunt—says it like it is.)

How to Actually Use These Idioms

Recognizing idioms is one thing; using them correctly is another. Colombian Spanish is heavy on context, rhythm, and tone. These phrases come to life when used in casual, fast-paced conversations. The key is listening to how natives use them and mimicking not just the words, but the emotion and timing.

And that’s exactly why tools like Colombian Spanish Essentials are invaluable. Beyond vocabulary lists, it gives you immersion-ready expressions with real-life usage tips, cultural insights, and guidance on when (and when not) to use each idiom.

Why Idioms Are the Heart of Colombian Spanish

Colombian Spanish is more than a set of grammar rules—it’s a living, breathing language full of humor, energy, and identity. Idioms are a reflection of a people’s history, habits, and worldview. They show you how Colombians think, how they joke, how they love, and how they navigate life.

If your goal is to connect with people—not just speak at them—then idioms are your ticket in. They open doors, spark laughter, and create a sense of shared understanding.

So, don’t be afraid to throw a few of these into your next conversation. You might just find yourself not only understanding the locals better, but also being understood in return.