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"Meter la pata" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to put one's foot in it", and "regarla" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to water". Learn more about the difference between "meter la pata" and "regarla" below.
meter la pata(
meh
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tehr
lah
pah
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tah
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (idiom) (general)
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
a. to put one's foot in it (idiom)
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
No estaba seguro de lo que estaba hablando. Si me hubiera callado, no habría metido la pata.I wasn't sure what I was talking about. Had I shut up I wouldn't have put my foot in it.
b. to put one's foot in one's mouth (idiom) (United States)
An idiom is a phrase with a meaning different from the literal meaning of the separate words that make it up (e.g., break a leg).
Regionalism used in the United States
Metí la pata hablando del amor eterno cuando acababan de divorciarse. ¡Pero no sabía nada!I put my foot in my mouth talking about eternal love when they had just divorced. But I didn't know!
c. to mess up
Metimos la pata al comprar este armario. Es demasiado pequeño.We messed up when we bought this wardrobe. It's far too small.
d. to make a blunder
Lucía estaba avergonzada por haber metido la pata de esa manera con un comentario tan indiscreto.Lucia was embarrassed by the terrible blunder she'd made with her rather tactless remark.
e. to blunder
El gobierno metió la pata sometiendo una decisión tan importante a votación pública.The government blundered on putting such an important decision to a public vote.
f. to mess things up
No me atrevo a reparar el auto yo solo. No quiero meter la pata.I don't dare fix the car myself. I don't want to mess things up.
g. to make a mess of it
Esta vez sí que metiste la pata. Te dije que no se lo contaras a nadie, ¿no?You really made a mess of it this time. I told you not to tell anyone, didn't I?
h. to make a faux pas (socially)
Creo que Luis metió la pata ofreciéndole el asiento a la chica con el barrigón. Me temo que no está embarazada.I think Luis made a faux pas by offering his seat to the young woman with the potbelly. I'm afraid she's not pregnant.
regarla
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to water
Prometo cuidarte bien la suculenta. ¿Cada cuánto hay que regarla?I promise to take care of your succulent. How often do I have to water it?
2. (colloquial) (to make a mistake) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. to screw up (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
¿Crees que me perdone? - La neta, güey, la regaste.Do you think she'll forgive me? - Honestly, dude, you screwed up.
