Signification
With great difficulty and overcoming many obstacles.
Contexte culturel
In Spain, this phrase is very common in political journalism to describe the difficult passage of laws in a fragmented parliament. While understood, Mexicans might also use 'a puros tropezones' to describe a similar stumbling progress. Argentines often use 'a los ponchazos' as a local equivalent, referring to the use of a poncho in a messy fight. The phrase is widely recognized due to the influence of Spanish literature and media, though local variants exist.
Use it for storytelling
This phrase adds a lot of color to anecdotes. Instead of saying 'it was hard,' use this to make your story more vivid.
Always plural
Never say 'a tranca y barranca'. It's a fixed idiom and must always be plural.
Signification
With great difficulty and overcoming many obstacles.
Use it for storytelling
This phrase adds a lot of color to anecdotes. Instead of saying 'it was hard,' use this to make your story more vivid.
Always plural
Never say 'a tranca y barranca'. It's a fixed idiom and must always be plural.
Pair with 'sacar adelante'
The verb 'sacar adelante' (to get something through/forward) is the most natural partner for this phrase.
Teste-toi
Completa la frase con la opción correcta.
Logramos terminar la mudanza a ______ y ______.
La expresión fija es 'a trancas y barrancas'.
Selecciona el significado más cercano a la frase subrayada.
Aprobó el examen *a trancas y barrancas*.
La frase indica que el éxito se logró pero con gran esfuerzo y obstáculos.
Match the situation with the most appropriate use of the phrase.
Situación: Un equipo de fútbol gana un partido después de que dos jugadores fueran expulsados y el campo estuviera lleno de barro.
The multiple obstacles (expulsions, mud) make this the perfect context for the idiom.
Completa el diálogo.
—¿Cómo va tu nuevo negocio? —Bueno, vamos tirando a ______ y ______.
In the context of a struggling business, 'a trancas y barrancas' is the most natural fit.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesLogramos terminar la mudanza a ______ y ______.
La expresión fija es 'a trancas y barrancas'.
Aprobó el examen *a trancas y barrancas*.
La frase indica que el éxito se logró pero con gran esfuerzo y obstáculos.
Situación: Un equipo de fútbol gana un partido después de que dos jugadores fueran expulsados y el campo estuviera lleno de barro.
The multiple obstacles (expulsions, mud) make this the perfect context for the idiom.
—¿Cómo va tu nuevo negocio? —Bueno, vamos tirando a ______ y ______.
In the context of a struggling business, 'a trancas y barrancas' is the most natural fit.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it's neutral/informal. You can use it with friends or colleagues, but maybe not in a very formal speech to a CEO.
Usually, it describes actions or processes, but you can say a relationship is going 'a trancas y barrancas'.
'A duras penas' is more like 'hardly' or 'barely'. 'A trancas y barrancas' emphasizes the obstacles and the messy process.
It implies difficulty and lack of smoothness, but the result is usually positive (you finished it!).
Yes, it is understood everywhere, though some countries have their own local versions like 'a los ponchazos'.
No, the preposition must be 'a'.
It has old roots, but it is still very much alive in modern Spanish, especially in news and daily conversation.
It's a strong trill. Place your tongue behind your upper teeth and let it vibrate with the air.
Literally, yes, but it's almost always used figuratively today.
Use 'con grandes dificultades' or 'a pesar de los numerosos obstáculos'.
Expressions liées
A duras penas
synonymWith great difficulty / barely.
Contra viento y marea
similarAgainst all odds.
A trompicones
similarIn fits and starts / stumbling.
Como Pedro por su casa
contrastLike he owns the place / with total ease.
