Confusion over Koalas

Question

The following was a headline from an article on CNN's Spanish website :Los koalas llevan las de perder por los incendios en Australia.

I'm having trouble understanding this sentence. What is this sentence saying in English? The whole thing is a bit confusing. One question is about the word "las". What does "las" refer to? Koala as I just learned is a masculine noun even though it ends with an "a" so I doubt it has to do with Koalas.

If it helps, the article was about forest fires in Australia and those fires are causing problems for Koalas who live in the trees. They are getting injured and some of them are being rescued. They are removed and treated for various injuries, many involving burns.

I have enclosed a photo with this question because it's a very interesting photo in my opinion. Cute but sad too because the Koala is injured.

Answer 1

You will find the meaning listed under compound forms listed alphabetically under llevar las de perder and meaning "stand to lose, have nothing to gain" Click on the link:

llevar

Thanks for teaching me this, too.

Correct - padrin, Jan 10, 2015

Sí, tienes razón, Jubilado, es una frase hecha, y se puede usar con el verbo "llevar" o con "tener": "Él siempre tiene las de perder", "Nosotros llevábamos las de perder", "Tú eres el que tiene las de perder"... "las de perder" nunca cambia... - Cordobesa, Jan 10, 2015

...solo se conjuga el verbo "llevar/tener". - Cordobesa, Jan 10, 2015

Gracias Jubilado, Cordobesa y Padrin. - annierats, Jan 10, 2015

thanks Jubilado. It all makes sense. The first paragraph of the article says that Koalas have taken the biggest hit from the fires this season...meaning they took the loss (stand to lose). I don't know how I missed that. - Sassette, Jan 10, 2015

thanks Cordobesa for providing additional insight. I'll keep in mind that "las de perder" never changes even if talking about one of something. - Sassette, Jan 10, 2015

Answer 2

I believe it is speaking of the ones who were lost (or even died) because of the fires in Australia. "las" is definitely "the ones" So the koalas carry away "llevan" the ones who were lost or "perished"

OK, Tipo?

Thanks for comment. I think I'd have to go with what Jubilado found out. Who took the hit? Who is paying the biggest price? The Koalas did. The rescuers took them and treated them. - Sassette, Jan 10, 2015