A1 Idiom Informel

Ponerse las pilas

To get a move on / Buckle down

Signification

To become more energetic, focused, or to start working harder.

🌍

Contexte culturel

In Spain, the phrase is often used with a tone of 'espabilar' (to smarten up). It's very common in the workplace. Colombians use '¡Pilas!' as a standalone interjection to mean 'Watch out!' or 'Be careful!' Commonly used in schools. Teachers frequently use it to motivate students before exams.

🎯

Use it as a self-motivator

Saying 'Me voy a poner las pilas' out loud is a great way to commit to a task in Spanish.

⚠️

Watch the 'se'

If you forget the 'se', people will look for your remote control!

Signification

To become more energetic, focused, or to start working harder.

🎯

Use it as a self-motivator

Saying 'Me voy a poner las pilas' out loud is a great way to commit to a task in Spanish.

⚠️

Watch the 'se'

If you forget the 'se', people will look for your remote control!

Teste-toi

Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun for: 'Yo ___ pongo las pilas.'

Yo ___ pongo las pilas.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : me

The subject 'Yo' requires the reflexive pronoun 'me'.

Which sentence is a command telling a group of people to work harder?

Select the correct command:

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Pónganse las pilas

'Pónganse' is the plural imperative form.

Match the situation to the best use of the phrase.

Your friend is playing video games instead of studying for a test in 10 minutes.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : ¡Ponte las pilas!

This is the standard way to tell someone to focus on what's important.

Complete the dialogue.

Madre: 'Hijo, tus notas son muy bajas.' Hijo: 'Lo siento, mamá. Prometo que _________.'

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : me pondré las pilas

The son is making a promise about his own future behavior.

🎉 Score : /4

Aides visuelles

When to use 'Ponerse las pilas'

📖

Estudios

  • Exámenes
  • Tareas
  • Clases
💼

Trabajo

  • Proyectos
  • Reuniones
  • Ventas
🏆

Deportes

  • Partidos
  • Entrenamiento
  • Carreras

Banque d exercices

4 exercices
Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun for: 'Yo ___ pongo las pilas.' Fill Blank A1

Yo ___ pongo las pilas.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : me

The subject 'Yo' requires the reflexive pronoun 'me'.

Which sentence is a command telling a group of people to work harder? Choose A2

Select the correct command:

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Pónganse las pilas

'Pónganse' is the plural imperative form.

Match the situation to the best use of the phrase. situation_matching A1

Your friend is playing video games instead of studying for a test in 10 minutes.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : ¡Ponte las pilas!

This is the standard way to tell someone to focus on what's important.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

Madre: 'Hijo, tus notas son muy bajas.' Hijo: 'Lo siento, mamá. Prometo que _________.'

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : me pondré las pilas

The son is making a promise about his own future behavior.

🎉 Score : /4

Questions fréquentes

2 questions

Yes, it is generally too informal and could be seen as disrespectful. Use 'Me esforzaré más' instead.

Absolutely! It's very common in gyms or during sports to tell someone to 'ponerse las pilas.'

Expressions liées

🔄

Espabilar

synonym

To wake up or become alert.

🔗

Estar al loro

similar

To be very attentive/alert.

🔗

Hacer el vago

contrast

To be lazy / slack off.

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