- Dictionary
USAGE NOTE
This idiom may be literally translated as "the small worm of conscience."
el gusanillo de la conciencia
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. a guilty conscience
El gusanillo de la conciencia impulsó a Gabriel a echar una mano a sus odiosos vecinos.A guilty conscience drove Gabriel to give his hateful neighbors a hand.
b. a prick of conscience
Amadeo sintió el gusanillo de la conciencia después de despedir a Miguel.Amadeo felt a prick of conscience after firing Miguel.
c. no direct translation
The following examples show ways to translate this word or phrase without using a direct equivalent.
Julio no sabía mentir. Era un embustero carcomido por el gusanillo de la conciencia.Julio didn't know how to lie. He was a conscious-stricken liar.
Márquez logró escapar de la justicia y huir del país, pero el gusanillo de la conciencia no la dejaba tranquila.Marquez manged to escape justice and flee the country, but her guilty conscience was constantly bugging her.
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