pagar el pato (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of speech

This phrase is an expression in Spanish.

Phonetic transcription

/paˈɣar el ˈpato/

Translation options into English

• Literal Translation: to pay the duck
• Idiomatic Translation: to take the blame or bear the consequences

Meaning

"Pagar el pato" is an idiomatic expression in Spanish that means "to take the blame" or "to bear the consequences." It is used when someone is unfairly blamed or has to suffer the consequences of something they did not do.

This expression is more commonly used in spoken language rather than in written contexts. It is frequently used in informal conversations or in the media to describe situations where someone is unfairly held responsible.

Example Sentences

1. Spanish: Siempre me culpan a mí, ¡siempre tengo que pagar el pato! English: They always blame me, I always have to take the blame!

2. Spanish: No sé por qué tengo que pagar el pato por algo que no hice. English: I don't know why I have to bear the consequences for something I didn't do.

Idiomatic Expressions

• Estar más sano que una pera (To be healthier than a pear) - To be very healthy.
• Ser pan comido (To be eaten bread) - To be very easy.
• Estar en las nubes (To be in the clouds) - To be distracted or not paying attention.
• Hacer de tripas corazón (To turn guts into heart) - To steel oneself.

Etymology

The origin of the expression "pagar el pato" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated from a medieval tradition in Spain where reprobates were forced to carry ducks as a punishment while being jeered at by the public. Over time, this practice evolved into the metaphorical meaning of bearing the consequences or taking the blame for something.

Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonyms: Cargar con las consecuencias, asumir la responsabilidad (to bear the consequences, to assume responsibility).
• Antonyms: Evadir la culpa, eludir las consecuencias (to evade blame, to avoid the consequences).