Spanish word of the day: Meter la pata

What does meter la pata mean?

Meter la pata (idiomatic expression) – This popular Spanish idiom literally means "to put the paw (or foot) in," but it’s used to say that someone has made a mistake, blundered, or said something embarrassing. It’s the perfect phrase for those moments when you accidentally mess things up or say the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Example sentences with meter la pata

• Metí la pata en la reunión y dije algo que no debía.
  😬 I put my foot in it during the meeting and said something I shouldn’t have.

• No quiero meter la pata, así que prefiero no opinar.
  🤐 I don’t want to mess up, so I’d rather not give my opinion.

• Si metes la pata, lo mejor es disculparte rápido.
  🙏 If you mess up, the best thing is to apologize quickly.

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Meter la pata in context

You’ll hear meter la pata in everyday Spanish whenever someone talks about making a mistake or embarrassing themselves. It’s a casual, friendly way to admit you’ve goofed up without sounding too serious or formal. Whether it’s saying the wrong thing in a conversation, making a social faux pas, or just having a bad day, meter la pata captures that feeling perfectly.

If you want to sound natural in Spanish, use meter la pata when you want to talk about those little blunders that happen to everyone. It’s a phrase that adds a bit of humor and humility to your language, making it clear that mistakes are just part of life.