The phrase "a estas alturas" is commonly used in Spanish to indicate a specific point in time or a stage in a process, often suggesting that enough time has elapsed for certain conclusions or actions to be recognized. It implies a sense of expectation or frustration about a situation that remains unchanged at this stage. This expression is frequently used in both oral and written contexts, especially when discussing situations where one might expect progress or resolution.
At this point, you should have finished your homework.
A estas alturas, ya deberíamos saber quién ganó la competición.
By now, we should already know who won the competition.
A estas alturas, no creo que haya alguna posibilidad de que lleguen a tiempo.
The phrase "a estas alturas" serves as a foundational element in several idiomatic expressions, often conveying urgency, expectation, or a sense of resignation about the current status of a situation.
At this point, it’s useless to try to convince him.
No quiero discutir eso; a estas alturas, ya no vale la pena.
I don’t want to discuss that; at this stage, it’s no longer worth it.
A estas alturas, es evidente que no cumplirán sus promesas.
At this point, it’s evident they won’t keep their promises.
A estas alturas, los detalles ya no importan.
The phrase "a estas alturas" is composed of the preposition "a" (at), "estas" (these), and "alturas" (heights or stages). The term reflects a metaphorical understanding of time as a vertical progression, where "alturas" refers to different stages one encounters along the way.
In summary, "a estas alturas" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that effectively communicates the passage of time and sets expectations regarding situations in both informal and formal discourse.