Using idiomatic phrases is considered to be high level and can help to improve marks in speaking exams and informal writing.
There are plenty of set phrases that have Spanish equivalents.
esta vivo / tiene su propio vida – it’s got a life of its own
Example: The photocopier seems to have a life on it’s own.
tener las manos llenas – to have your hands full
Grab a bull by the horns / Coger el toro por los cuernos
Example: As a single mother of two with a full time job and two huskies, it’s fair to say she has her hands ful but she seems to cope ok.
Subirse al carro – to jump on the bandwagon
No muerdas la mano que te da de comer – Don’t bite the hand that feeds you
to give your word – Dar la palabra
Example: The car salesman gave his word that the car
In cold blood – a sangre fría
make my day – hacen mi dia
Sounds good – Suena bien
At the end of the day – Al fin del dia
To kill two birds with one stone
Dos parajos con un tiro (One shot)
Más vale lo malo conocido que lo bueno por conocer
Better the devil you know (than the devil you don’t)
From my point of view
De mi punto de vista
Put yout foot in it
Meter la pata
To lose your head – Perder la cabeza.
To be fried – Quedarse frito.
To bite your tongue – Morderse la lengua.
Example: I didn’t agree with what my boss said but for the sake of my career, I had to bite my tongue.
It’s finger licking good– Está para chuparse los dedos
Oh my god! – Dios mio!
Not worth a penny/red cent– No vale un duro
That car is as rusty as hell, it will cost you more to fix than it will be worth when the work is done. As such it’s not worth a penny.
Cuando el gato no está, los ratones bailan – When the cat is away, the mice will play
Over and over again– Una y otra vez
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth – A caballo regalado, no le mires el diente
To lower your guard – Bajar la guardia
Hit the nail on the head – Dar en el clavo
To wash your hands of something – Lavarse las manos (eludir la responsabilidad)
No es oro todo lo que reluce – All that glitters is not gold
Example:
Ser un don nadie – To be a Mr Nobody
Las apariencias engañan – Looks can be deciving
Break the ice – Romper el hielo
The teacher played a game to help the students learn each others names. This helped to break the ice.
Throw in the towel – Tirar la toalla