Significado
To reverse a situation, especially to one's advantage.
Contexto cultural
The 'tortilla de patatas' is a national dish. Flipping it (darle la vuelta) is a moment of truth in every Spanish household. If you can do it without a mess, you are considered a good cook. In Mexico, a 'tortilla' is a flat corn or flour wrap. While the idiom is understood, Mexicans might more commonly say 'voltear las cosas' or 'darle la vuelta a la situación'. Argentines love idioms and might use this in football (soccer) contexts frequently. They also use 'darlo vuelta' (to turn it around) as a shorter version. In Spanish business meetings, using this phrase shows a proactive, 'can-do' attitude. It's seen as a sign of resilience.
Use it in Sports
If you want to impress Spanish friends while watching a match, shout '¡Hay que darle la vuelta a la tortilla!' when your team is losing.
Don't be 'Gaslighty'
Be careful using this in arguments. Telling someone 'No le des la vuelta a la tortilla' can sound quite aggressive, as you are accusing them of manipulating the conversation.
Significado
To reverse a situation, especially to one's advantage.
Use it in Sports
If you want to impress Spanish friends while watching a match, shout '¡Hay que darle la vuelta a la tortilla!' when your team is losing.
Don't be 'Gaslighty'
Be careful using this in arguments. Telling someone 'No le des la vuelta a la tortilla' can sound quite aggressive, as you are accusing them of manipulating the conversation.
The 'Le' is Key
Always include the 'le'. It refers to 'la situación' (the situation), which is implied.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'dar'.
El equipo perdía, pero al final le ______ la vuelta a la tortilla.
We use 'dieron' (they gave) because 'el equipo' acts as a plural group in this context, or 'dio' if considering the team as a single unit. However, 'dieron' is very common when referring to the players.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'darle la vuelta a la tortilla'?
Selecciona la mejor situación:
The idiom refers to reversing a situation, not literal cooking or losing things.
What would a friend say to encourage you?
Amigo: 'Suspendí el examen de conducir.' Tú: 'No te preocupes, en el próximo...'
This is the correct idiomatic way to say 'you'll turn things around next time'.
Match the Spanish phrase with its English equivalent.
Une las parejas:
These are the closest idiomatic matches.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosEl equipo perdía, pero al final le ______ la vuelta a la tortilla.
We use 'dieron' (they gave) because 'el equipo' acts as a plural group in this context, or 'dio' if considering the team as a single unit. However, 'dieron' is very common when referring to the players.
Selecciona la mejor situación:
The idiom refers to reversing a situation, not literal cooking or losing things.
Amigo: 'Suspendí el examen de conducir.' Tú: 'No te preocupes, en el próximo...'
This is the correct idiomatic way to say 'you'll turn things around next time'.
Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:
These are the closest idiomatic matches.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
4 perguntasTechnically yes, but it is much more common for a bad situation turning good. If a good situation turns bad, people usually say 'todo se torció' (everything went crooked).
Both are used, but 'darle' (with the 'le') is more common in spoken Spanish as it points to the situation being flipped.
Yes, but they might also say 'voltear la tortilla'. The meaning remains identical.
No, it's not rude, but it is informal. Don't use it in a formal speech to the King of Spain, but it's fine for a business lunch.
Frases relacionadas
Cambiar las tornas
synonymTo turn the tables.
Dar la vuelta al calcetín
synonymTo turn the situation completely around.
Remontar
similarTo make a comeback.
Ponerse las pilas
builds onTo get one's act together.
