Explain "pata" to me please?

Question

I see it used in different ways. Like in the word used for "paws" También, it kinda looks like the word for "duck" and it is in the word for tick "garrapata" and now I just saw it used in a phrase "tú siempre metes la pata"

What does pata mean?

Answer 1

Meter la pata -> to put one's foot in it.

Poner algo patas arriba (también figurative) -> to turn something upside down.

Tener mala pata -> to be unlucky.

Three different uses for it!

Answer 2

As Devina says:

Also the legs and paws of animals ( not of hoofed or cloven hoofed animals, which have cascos or uñas) and the legs of furniture,

also the name of some tools- pata de cabra: crowbar

also cow's feet ( wrinkles) - patas de gallo

Patas arrivba- upside down

a cuatro patas- on all fours.

Answer 3

...and as you said in your question it is also a female duck. The male duck being a pato. Although with ducks its kind of hard to tell the difference. jajaja.