Meaning
To do something secretly or without drawing attention to oneself.
Cultural Background
In Spain, this phrase is often associated with the 'picaresca' tradition, where being clever and discreet is seen as a survival skill. While understood, Mexicans might prefer 'por debajo del agua' to describe secret or corrupt dealings. Argentines might use 'por la culata' or 'de cayetano' (slang) for similar meanings of secrecy. The diminutive 'calladito' is extremely common and often replaces the longer idiom in casual speech.
Use it with movement verbs
It sounds most natural with 'entrar', 'salir', 'irse', and 'venir'.
Don't change the gender
Even if you are a woman, you say 'Me fui a la chita callando'. It never becomes 'callanda'.
Meaning
To do something secretly or without drawing attention to oneself.
Use it with movement verbs
It sounds most natural with 'entrar', 'salir', 'irse', and 'venir'.
Don't change the gender
Even if you are a woman, you say 'Me fui a la chita callando'. It never becomes 'callanda'.
Spain vs LatAm
In Spain, it's a 10/10 frequency. In LatAm, it's a 6/10. Use 'calladito' in LatAm to sound more local.
Test Yourself
Completa la frase con la expresión correcta.
El gato se acercó al ratón a la _______ callando.
La expresión fija es 'a la chita callando'.
¿Cuál es el significado de esta frase?
Hicieron la mudanza a la chita callando.
La frase significa hacer algo sin que nadie se entere.
Empareja la situación con la frase.
Quieres salir de una reunión aburrida sin que el jefe te vea.
Se usa para salir sin ser notado.
Completa el diálogo.
—¿Cómo se enteró de la noticia? —No lo sé, nosotros lo hablamos a la _______ _______.
Indica que hablaron en secreto.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Stealth Levels
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEl gato se acercó al ratón a la _______ callando.
La expresión fija es 'a la chita callando'.
Hicieron la mudanza a la chita callando.
La frase significa hacer algo sin que nadie se entere.
Quieres salir de una reunión aburrida sin que el jefe te vea.
Se usa para salir sin ser notado.
—¿Cómo se enteró de la noticia? —No lo sé, nosotros lo hablamos a la _______ _______.
Indica que hablaron en secreto.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, in this phrase it refers to an old game piece or the sound of a whisper. The animal is 'guepardo' in Spanish.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a newspaper article.
No, the phrase is fixed. Changing any word makes it lose its meaning.
It's a gerund that describes the manner of the action. It's an old grammatical structure that survived in this idiom.
Yes, but it's slightly more common in Spain. In LatAm, people often use 'a escondidas'.
Not really. It's for actions, not just states of silence. Use 'en silencio' for a library.
It likely comes from the game of 'la chita' where players had to be very quiet and precise.
Only if you are describing how you handled a sensitive situation discreetly. Otherwise, use 'con discreción'.
Yes! Both come from the root 'chitar' (to make a small sound).
In most of the Spanish-speaking world, it sounds like the 'y' in 'yellow'.
Related Phrases
A hurtadillas
synonymStealthily, sneakingly.
Con sigilo
similarWith stealth.
De tapadillo
similarSecretly, under cover.
A bombo y platillo
contrastWith great fanfare.
