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zancadilla

trip

noun sahn-kah-DEE-yah Rare

Also means

stumbling block

Usage Note

Zancadilla literally means the act of putting one's foot out to trip someone. The key phrase is poner la zancadilla a alguien — 'to trip someone up', both literally and figuratively (to sabotage or undermine them). It derives from zanca ('long leg, shank'), so there is no connection to zancado ('long-legged stride').

Examples

"Le puso la zancadilla y cayó al suelo."

Natural Translation

He tripped her and she fell to the floor.

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