How to put your foot in your mouth - meter la pata
The very commonly used Spanish phrase "meter la pata" is frequently translated as "putting your foot in your mouth". It's literal meaning comes from the verb "meter" meaning "to put something inside of something" (like money in the bank, for example) and the word "pata" which means "animal leg" but also can mean "leg" in general.
However, it's use in Spanish is broader than the English phrase mentioned above. You can use "meter la pata" in almost any situation where someone makes a mistake: it's not confined solely to saying something embarrassing. Some examples:
Spanish
1. He metido la pata - he perdido los documentos originales.
2. Metiste la pata cuando le dijiste que no vivimos aquí.
3. Metí la pata otra vez - le di las fotos a Juan y no a Jaime.
4. Pedro siempre mete la pata cuando bebe demasiado.
English
1. I blew it - I lost the original documents.
2. You really messed up when you told him that we don't live here.
3. I screwed up again - I gave the photos to Juan and not to Jaime.
4. Pedro always puts his foot in his mouth when he drinks too much.
Brad
