Exressions using "gill"

Question

En inglés, cuando una persona tiene mucho o demasiado trabajo, podemos decir que "He has work up to the gills." (Tiene trabajo hasta las branquias." ¿Hay una expresión semejante en español usando "branquias"? También decimos en ingles que "He is drunk to the gills. Está borracho hasta las branquias."

¿Qué dicen los Españoles?

Como siempre, muchas gracias por su ayuda.

Are you studying Spanish or English? Can you please include that information in your profile? - rac1, Feb 26, 2014

I am an American teacher of Spanish, now retired, but still teaching privaly. - gmyers4, Feb 26, 2014

Fantastic!! - rac1, Feb 26, 2014

Answer 1

He found it necessary to dope poor Mr. Funt to the gills... Creyó necesario drogar hasta las cejas al pobre Sr..

The boy's doped to the gills. El chico está drogado a tope.

The lady's swallowed his hook to the gills. La dama se tragó su anzuelo hasta las branquias.

Poor beggar, I bet you're fed up to the gills. Pobre muchacho, tienes que estar muy harto. One little drink, and he's soused to the gills.

Un traguito, y se emborracha como una cuba. I'm sure you're thrilled to the gills about that.

From the RAE Rae.es

Muchas gracias. - gmyers4, Feb 26, 2014

Answer 2

I cannot help you with the Spanish expressions, but I am puzzled as I have not heard the two English expressions you have used. I am from the UK so they may be America. I have used stuffed to the gills - meaning very full/eaten too much or 'looking a little green at the gills' to someone who looks like they are going to be sick/vomit.

Yes! I also have heard and use "stuffed" and "green" in the same situations. And yes they might very well be Americanisms. More common is "up to one's neck in: work, trouble, etc. - gmyers4, Feb 26, 2014

It's the same here in the U.S. - rac1, Feb 26, 2014

The two I used are well known to me - I was questioning whether your examples are popular in theUSA - Mardle, Feb 28, 2014

Answer 3

Para ser de color verde alrededor de las branquias. Significa vomitar.