How to Use Spanish Idioms to Express Anger

Surely at some point in your journey as a Spanish learner, you have heard Spanish speakers using phrases composed of familiar words whose meanings are not so easy to grasp. Don't worry, what you heard was likely just a typical idiomatic expression in colloquial Spanish that you haven't learned yet.

Idiomatic expressions exist in all languages and, as the name suggests, they serve to express a myriad of things such as emotions, moods, opinions, and ideals.

One of the most interesting aspects of these expressions is how Spanish speakers use them to reflect how they feel. Thanks to these colloquial phrases, we can better understand if someone is happy, sad, surprised, or angry.

This time, we will focus on getting to know some of the most commonly used Spanish colloquial phrases to express anger.

Let's go for it!

Phrases to express anger

• Me hierve la sangre 

This expression is generally used to reflect a high degree of anger caused by a stressful or frustrating situation.

Example: My blood boils every time my boss yells at me because of others.

• Echar sapos y culebras por la boca 

This typical phrase from colloquial Spanish refers to the quantity and severity of curse words a person uses when they are very angry.

Example: My sister spent the whole day spewing curses after failing her driving test.

• Sacar de las casillas 

"To drive out of one's boxes" is a classic in Spanish jargon. This colloquial phrase expresses the anger generated by situations/people that make us lose patience.

Example: It's the third time you've come home late, you're really starting to drive me crazy.

• Estoy quillao 

"To be furious" is one of the most representative colloquial phrases in Spanish American culture, specifically from the Dominican Republic. This phrase expresses extreme levels of anger.

Example: I'm furious, my girlfriend said she would come two hours ago and still hasn't arrived.

• Echar chispas 

This is another very common idiomatic expression in colloquial Spanish and is generally used to refer to the immense anger a person is experiencing, which is also evidenced by the abrupt and energetic movements they make when expressing their annoyance.

Example: I missed my flight again, I'm so furious.

• Sacar la piedra 

This colloquial phrase, mostly used in Venezuela, expresses the fury that someone is experiencing because of something or someone who is testing their patience.

Example: Stop speaking ill of my family, you're really getting on my nerves.

• Se le cruzaron los cables 

When we say that someone "crossed their wires," we refer to the irrational behavior or momentary loss of control that a person experiences due to a situation that made them very angry. Example: The computer science teacher lost it when his computer broke down and was so upset that he threw it on the floor.

Colloquial Warning Phrases 

Now that we have mentioned some of the colloquial phrases commonly used in Spanish to express anger, it is important that in your learning process of this wonderful language, you also know other types of classic idiomatic expressions of jargon in Spanish that serve to give a kind of warning when we are starting to get angry and we want, through these expressions, to prevent our anger from increasing.

• No me busques la lengua 

This colloquial expression is commonly used when we start to feel angry after someone tries to verbally provoke us to make us feel bad. The aim of this phrase is to prevent the other person from continuing to provoke us so that we do not adopt their attitude and avoid any kind of conflict.

Example: Please do not speak badly about my children, do not provoke me.

• Estás buscando lo que no se te ha perdido 

"Looking for something that you haven't lost?" It sounds a bit confusing, but like the previous phrase, this expression helps us warn another person that their attitude is being somewhat annoying and that it is better not to maintain it to avoid any conflict. It is usually applied to people who have an attitude of picking fights.

Example: Don't bother me, you're looking for trouble.

It is important to note that these colloquial warning expressions typical of jargon in Spanish are used when someone is annoyed; however, they indicate a level of anger that is mild, something moderate but that can increase rapidly.

Why Should I Include Idiomatic Expressions in My Spanish Vocabulary?

There are multiple reasons why you should consider including colloquial phrases in Spanish in your learning process. First of all, the use of these expressions indicates a high command of the language. By learning and using them, you will be getting closer to how Spanish speakers express themselves in their daily lives, which means your level of Spanish will have improved.

On the other hand, your communication skills will improve greatly by being able to better understand the mood, emotion, and opinion that native speakers try to convey according to the idiomatic expression they use.

In addition to enriching your vocabulary, you will unconsciously immerse yourself in one of the richest and most diverse cultures, such as Latin American culture. If you have had the opportunity to learn some colloquial phrases in Spanish, you will have noticed that many of them are inspired by the cultural and historical heritage of an entire society. Bonus points for you!

Last but not least, integrating these famous phrases into your Spanish vocabulary will make your learning process more enjoyable. Let's be honest, learning a language can be stressful, and although these phrases may be a bit difficult to understand, Spanish speakers have used all their wit to create funny and witty phrases that will surely bring a smile to your face as you learn them.

Ultimately, idiomatic expressions are one of the best ways to enrich your vocabulary and, at the same time, learn about the cultural history of a specific region. If you are looking to take your Spanish skills to the next level, then these colloquial phrases are for you.

Remember to be patient, as there are many colloquial phrases in Spanish and some are not so easy to understand, but once you learn and use them, your Spanish will sound much more natural and you will be a step closer to speaking like a native Spanish speaker. Good luck!