cerrar el pico (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

The phrase "cerrar el pico" is an idiomatic expression, often used as a verb phrase.

Phonetic Transcription

/kɛˈrar el ˈpiko/

Translation Options into English

• to shut one's mouth
• to stop talking
• to keep quiet

Meaning and Usage

The expression "cerrar el pico" literally translates to "close the beak" and is a colloquial way of telling someone to be quiet or to stop talking, especially in situations where they are speaking too much or saying inappropriate things. Its use is prevalent in informal, spoken contexts rather than in written form. The phrase can convey mildly humorous intent, but it can also be used more sternly.

Frequency of Use

This expression is commonly used in everyday conversations, often among friends or in informal situations. It may not be as frequently found in formal writing.

Example Sentences

1. "Él siempre interrumpe, debería cerrar el pico."

2. "He always interrupts; he should shut his mouth."

3. "Cuando estoy hablando, es mejor que cierres el pico."

4. "When I'm talking, it's better that you keep quiet."

5. "Si no tienes nada bueno que decir, cierra el pico!"

6. "If you don't have anything good to say, shut your mouth!"

Idiomatic Expressions

"Cerrar el pico" is part of a larger array of idiomatic expressions within colloquial Spanish. Here are several idiomatic expressions that include the action of closing or shutting something, often with a metaphorical meaning.

Example Idiomatic Expressions

1. "Cierra el pico y escucha."

2. "Shut your mouth and listen."

3. "A veces hay que cerrar el pico para oír mejor."

4. "Sometimes you have to keep quiet to hear better."

5. "Si no sabes sobre el tema, lo mejor es cerrar el pico."

6. "If you don’t know about the topic, it’s best to keep quiet."

7. "Cuando la conversación se torna incómoda, a menudo es mejor cerrar el pico."

8. "When the conversation becomes awkward, it’s often better to shut up."

9. "En una reunión de trabajo, a veces es necesario cerrar el pico."

10. "In a work meeting, sometimes it's necessary to stop talking."

11. "No me digas qué hacer; mejor cierra el pico."

12. "Don't tell me what to do; you'd better shut up."

13. "Cierra el pico y no hables de lo que no sabes."

14. "Shut your mouth and don't talk about what you don't know."

Etymology

The phrase "cerrar el pico" is derived from the Spanish verb "cerrar," meaning to close or shut, and "pico," which translates to beak. This idiomatic expression uses the imagery of birds, suggesting that one should keep their beak closed, paralleling the human act of keeping one's mouth shut.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms

• Mantener silencio (to keep silence)
• Callar (to quiet down)
• No hablar (not talking)

Antonyms

• Hablar (to talk)
• Gritar (to shout)
• Expresar (to express)

This information provides a comprehensive understanding of the phrase "cerrar el pico" in the context of colloquial Spanish.