"head over heels"/ "hasta el cuello"

Question

I just noticed that today's word "cuello" was part of an expression that I was curious about. Although, as I read it word for word it means "until the neck", which makes no sense, the idiom is actually "head over heels". I just encountered this in a song written by a Puerto Rican artist.

It is listed in our phrasebook, but when I asked two people from countries other than Puerto Rico, they were not familiar with the expression. Is this a colloquial phrase from Puerto Rican or perhaps the Caribbean only, or do other countries use this?

Thanks in advance!

Here is a brief explanation of the expression in English.

Answer 1

Just an aside for how it is referred to in the Spanish-speaking world:

*enamorarse perdidamente de

*enamorarse locamente de

*enamorarse hasta las trancas =España

*estar tragado (de) =Colombia

*perder la cabeza por

*estar enamorado hasta la médula

*completamente enamorada de

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The link provided above is an interesting read, due to the fact that our heads are over our heels as a rule, but it elaborates further on the topic....

So many ways to express this....Thanks for the info. - Nicole-B, Jun 6, 2011

Answer 2

Wow, this is interesting, because when I've only heard this (in Chile and Mexico) in the negative sense--I'm fed up, I've had it up to here. Nice to know it also has a positive equivalent.

That is really interesting. I guess it is an expression that has to be used carefully unless you know what it means in each country. - Nicole-B, Jun 6, 2011

Answer 3

At first glance it seems to me like it would mean the opposite, estoy hasta el cuello de dueda etc... hasta el cuello - I'm up to my neck in.... etc...

But it seems like it has two meanings, to be up to your neck in....(like the way you might imagine) and this other meaning like you see in songs (estoy hasta el cuello por ti)

It seems like it means "I'm drowning for you" like "tener agua hasta el cuello por alguien" (está ahogando de amor por ti).

Interesting. That's a new use for me, I wonder if the guys at work will know it. Guess I'll find out tomorrow..

Gracias

Answer 4

I've heard , "I'm head over heels in love with you" to me this means passionately and completely in love. Must be nice!

Answer 5

Since I asked this around 2AM EST, I am bumping it up to see if anyone has the answer.