Although the dog is known as man’s best friend, in Spain this animal appears in many idiomatic expressions with very different meanings, ranging from negative to positive.
In this post, we’ll explain the meaning of each of these expressions, their main uses, and we’ll give you practical examples so you can incorporate them into your vocabulary, speak more fluently, and sound more natural.
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List of the most common expressions with the word «perro» in Spanish
Idioms with “perro” are part of everyday colloquial Spanish in Spain and reflect different situations from daily life. Some of these expressions have a negative tone, often related to effort, hardship, or bad luck, while others highlight people’s experience or behavior.
Let’s take a closer look at the meaning of some of the most commonly used expressions with “perro,” along with examples to help you understand how to use them in everyday situations.
Llevar una vida de perros
This expression is used to describe a life full of difficulties, problems, or suffering. It refers to a tough situation in which someone is having a hard time, whether for economic, personal, or work-related reasons.
- Desde que perdió su trabajo, lleva una vida de perros y apenas tiene dinero para pagar el alquiler. (Since he lost his job, he’s been living a miserable life and barely has enough money to pay the rent)
- Los refugiados han tenido que huir de su país y ahora llevan una vida de perros en los campos de acogida. (The refugees had to flee their country and are now living a very hard life in the camps)
- Siempre está enfermo y con problemas, parece que lleva una vida de perros. (He’s always sick and dealing with problems — it seems like he’s living a miserable life)
- No quiero seguir llevando una vida de perros en este trabajo tan agotador. (I don’t want to keep living such a miserable life in such an exhausting job)
Estar hecho un perro
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely tired, dirty, or neglected. It can also refer to someone who hasn’t cleaned up or looks physically worn out.
- Después de caminar todo el día bajo el sol, estoy hecho un perro. (After walking all day under the sun, I’m completely exhausted)
- Llegó a casa hecho un perro después de trabajar en la obra durante diez horas. (He came home completely worn out after working ten hours at the construction site)
- No te has duchado ni cambiado de ropa en dos días, estás hecho un perro. (You haven’t showered or changed your clothes in two days — you look terrible)
- Cuando salimos de la excursión de montaña, todos acabamos hechos un perro. (After the hiking trip, we all ended up completely exhausted)
A perro flaco, todo son pulgas
This saying means that when someone is already in a bad situation, problems tend to pile up. It’s used to express resignation in the face of a streak of bad luck.
- No solo me despidieron, sino que también se me estropeó el coche. A perro flaco, todo son pulgas. (Not only did I get fired, but my car also broke down. When it rains, it pours)
- Encima de que no tengo dinero, me ha llegado una multa. A perro flaco, todo son pulgas. (On top of not having any money, I just got a fine. When it rains, it pours)
- Cada vez que le pasa algo malo, vienen más problemas detrás. Es verdad que a perro flaco, todo son pulgas. (Every time something bad happens to him, more problems follow. It’s true — when it rains, it pours)
- Se me rompió el móvil, la lavadora dejó de funcionar y ahora se ha fundido una bombilla. A perro flaco, todo son pulgas. (My phone broke, the washing machine stopped working, and now a light bulb burned out. When it rains, it pours)
Ser un perro viejo
This expression refers to someone who is very experienced and street-smart, and who is not easily fooled. It’s used to talk about people who have been through a lot and know how to handle different situations.
- No intentes estafarlo, es un perro viejo y conoce todos los trucos. (Don’t try to scam him — he’s an old hand and knows all the tricks)
- En el mundo de los negocios hay que ser un perro viejo para no caer en trampas. (In the business world, you have to be pretty savvy to avoid falling into traps)
- Mi abuelo es un perro viejo, nadie le engaña con cuentos (My grandfather is very street-smart; no one fools him with tall tales)
- Con los años, te vuelves un perro viejo y aprendes a ver las cosas venir. (As you get older, you become more experienced and learn to see things coming)t
Tener un día de perros
This expression is used to describe an especially bad day, full of problems, stress, or inconveniences. It’s a very common way to complain about a rough day.
- Hoy he tenido un día de perros: tráfico, discusiones en la oficina y lluvia sin paraguas. (I’ve had a terrible day today: traffic, arguments at the office, and rain without an umbrella)
- No puedo más, ha sido un día de perros y solo quiero descansar. (I can’t take it anymore — it’s been an awful day and I just want to rest)
- Me han puesto una multa, he perdido el tren y me ha dolido la cabeza todo el día. Vaya día de perros. (I got a ticket, missed the train, and had a headache all day. What a horrible day)
- Cuando tienes un día de perros, lo mejor es irse a dormir temprano y olvidar todo. (When you have a really bad day, the best thing to do is go to bed early and forget about everything)
Trabajar como un perro
This means to work extremely hard, usually under tough conditions or with a lot of effort. It’s often used to express exhaustion or complain about workload.
- He trabajado como un perro toda la semana para terminar este proyecto. (I worked like a dog all week to finish this project)
- No valoran mi esfuerzo, aunque trabaje como un perro todos los días. (They don’t value my effort, even though I work like a dog every day)
- Si sigues trabajando como un perro y sin descansar, acabarás enfermo. (If you keep working like a dog without resting, you’ll end up getting sick)
- En este empleo te hacen trabajar como un perro y el sueldo no es bueno. (In this job, they make you work like a dog and the pay isn’t even good)
Ser un perro
This expression can have different meanings depending on the context. It can describe someone who is cruel, selfish, or ruthless, but it can also refer to someone who is lazy or unwilling to do anything.
- No le importó despedir a todos sus empleados. Es un perro sin corazón. (He didn’t care about firing all his employees. He’s completely heartless)
- Siempre se aprovecha de los demás y nunca ayuda. Qué perro es. (He always takes advantage of others and never helps — what a jerk)
- No seas perro y levántate del sofá de una vez. (Don’t be lazy and get off the couch already)
- Tiene que limpiar su cuarto, pero es un perro y nunca hace nada. (He has to clean his room, but he’s too lazy to do anything)
Ser un perrito faldero
This refers to someone who constantly follows another person and never leaves their side. It often has a negative tone and is used to criticize someone’s dependence on another person.
- Desde que empezó a salir con Laura, es un perrito faldero, no se separa de ella. (Ever since he started dating Laura, he’s like her shadow — they’re never apart)
- No seas un perrito faldero, también tienes que hacer cosas por tu cuenta. (Don’t be so clingy; you should do things on your own too)
- Siempre está detrás del jefe, parece su perro faldero. (He’s always hanging around the boss — he’s like a lapdog)
- Le encanta llamar la atención, es el típico perrito faldero de los famosos. He loves attention; he’s the typical celebrity hanger-on)
Hacer un frío de perros
This expression means that it’s extremely cold, usually when temperatures are very low.
- Esta mañana hacía un frío de perros, casi no podía mover las manos. (It was freezing this morning — I could barely move my hands)
- Abrígate bien, que fuera hace un frío de perros. (Bundle up, it’s freezing outside)
- No salgas sin guantes, está haciendo un frío de perros. (Don’t go out without gloves — it’s bitterly cold)
- Ayer nevó y hoy hace un frío de perros en la calle. (It snowed yesterday, and today it’s freezing cold outside)
Are these expressions colloquial?
Some of these expressions are used almost exclusively in everyday speech and are not appropriate for formal or academic situations. Depending on the context, they may sound too informal or even somewhat offensive.
For this reason, they are usually used only among friends, family members, or close coworkers, and are not recommended in professional or academic settings.
For example:
- No seas perro y ayuda a recoger la mesa. (Don’t be lazy and help clear the table)
- Siempre está detrás de su jefe, es un perro faldero. (He’s always following his boss around — he’s such a lapdog)
On the other hand, some expressions with the word “perro” have gone beyond purely colloquial speech and can be found in written texts, speeches, or even the media. Their use is more accepted across different registers of the language.
For example:
- En tiempos de crisis, las dificultades se acumulan. Como dice el refrán, a perro flaco, todo son pulgas. (In times of crisis, problems pile up. As the saying goes, when it rains, it pours)
- Disculpe mi mal humor, hoy he tenido un día de perros. (Sorry for my bad mood — I’ve had a terrible day)
- Muchos emprendedores tienen que trabajar como un perro para sacar adelante su negocio. (Many entrepreneurs have to work like dogs to keep their businesses going)
Although these expressions are still figurative, they can be used in more serious contexts because they don’t sound vulgar or overly informal.
That’s it! These expressions with “perro” are widely used in Spanish from Spain, and knowing them will help you better understand the language and express yourself more naturally. From describing a bad day to highlighting someone’s experience, these idioms have many uses that will enrich your vocabulary.
If you want to communicate more effectively, don’t hesitate to incorporate these Spanish expressions with “perro” into your conversations.
And what about you — had you heard any of these expressions before? Which one caught your attention the most?
