add a bit of salt

1. adv. - por poco 2. (f. - poca)

pron.

little, few

3. (f. - poca)

adj.

little, few, not much

* * *

1. ADJ

1) [en singular] little, not much

tenemos poco tiempo — we have little time, we don't have much time

hay muy poco queso — there's very little cheese, there's hardly any cheese

de poco interés — of little interest

con poco respeto — with little respect, with scant respect

el provecho es poco — the gain is small, there isn't much to gain

• poca cosa, no te preocupes por tan poca cosa — don't worry about such a little thing

poca cosa se podría haber hecho — there wasn't much we could have done

comemos, jugamos a cartas, leemos y poca cosa más — we eat, play cards, read and do little else o and that's about it

es poca cosa — (=no mucho) it's not much; (=no importante) it's nothing much

somos tan poca cosa — we're so insignificant

es muy guapa pero poca cosa — she's very pretty, but there isn't much to her

• y por si fuera poco — and as if that weren't enough, and to cap it all

2) [en plural] few, not many

pocos niños saben que... — few o not many children know that...

tiene pocos amigos — he has few friends, he hasn't got many friends

pocos días después — a few days later

compré unos pocos libros — I bought a few books

me quedan pocas probabilidades — I don't have much chance

todas las medidas son pocas — no measure will be enough

2. PRON

1) [en singular]

a) (=poca cosa)

la reforma servirá para poco — the reform won't do much good o won't be much use

una hora da para poco — you can't get much done in an hour

con lo poco que me quedaba — with what little I had left

ya sabes lo poco que me interesa — you know how little it interests me

b)

• un poco — a bit, a little

-¿tienes frío? -un poco — "are you cold?" - "a bit o a little"

he bebido un poco, pero no estoy borracho — I've had a bit to drink, but I'm not drunk

voy a dormir un poco — I am going to have a little sleep

le conocía un poco — I knew him a bit o slightly

necesito descansar un poco — I need to rest for a while

espera un poco — wait a minute o moment

estoy un poco triste — I am rather o a little sad

es un poco lo que yo comentaba — that's more or less what I was saying

• un poco como, es un poco como su padre — he's rather o a bit like his father

lo hice un poco como protesta — I did it partly as a protest

• un poco de, un poco de dinero — a little money

dame un poco de vino — can I have some wine?

¡un poco de silencio! — let's have some quiet here!

c) [referido a tiempo] not long

tardaron poco en hacerlo — it didn't take them long to do it, they didn't take long to do it

lleva poco trabajando aquí — he hasn't been working here long

• a poco de — shortly after

a poco de haberlo firmado — shortly after signing it

• cada poco — every so often

• dentro de poco — shortly, soon

• poco después — shortly after

• hace poco — not long ago

fuimos a verla hace poco — we visited her not long ago, we visited her quite recently

tu hermana ha llamado hace poco — your sister called a short while ago

la conozco desde hace poco — I haven't known her long, I've only known her for a short while

hasta hace poco — until recently

2) [en plural] few

pocos son los que... — there are few who...

ya somos pocos los que nos sentimos así — there are now very few of us who feel this way

pocos de entre ellos — few of them

como hay pocos —

es tonto como hay pocos — he's as stupid as they come

3. ADV

1) [con verbos] not much, little

cuesta poco — it doesn't cost much, it costs very little

habla poco — he doesn't say much

ahora trabaja poco — he doesn't work much now

vamos poco a Madrid — we don't go to Madrid much, we hardly ever go to Madrid

lo estiman poco — they hardly value it at all, they value it very little

2) [con adjetivos: se traduce a menudo por medio de un prefijo]

poco dispuesto a ayudar — disinclined to help

poco amable — unkind

poco probable — unlikely

poco inteligente — unintelligent, not very intelligent

sus libros son poco conocidos aquí — his books are not very well known here

3) [otras locuciones]

poco a poco — little by little

¡poco a poco! — steady on!, easy does it!

a poco Méx —

*

¿a poco? — never!, you don't say!

¡a poco no! — not much! *

¿a poco no? — (well) isn't it?

¿a poco crees que...? — do you really imagine that...?

• de a poco — LAm gradually

• tener en poco, tiene en poco a su jefe — she doesn't think much of her boss

tiene la vida en poco — he doesn't value his life

• poco más o menos — more or less

• por poco — almost, nearly

por poco me ahogo — I almost o nearly drowned

• a poco que, a poco que pueda — if at all possible

a poco que corras, lo alcanzas — if you run now you'll catch it

* * *

I

adverbio

es muy poco agradecido — he is very ungrateful

un autor muy poco conocido — a very little-known author

me resultó poco interesante — I didn't find it very interesting

habla poco — he doesn't say much o a lot

viene muy poco por aquí — he hardly ever comes around

... con lo poco que le gusta el arroz —... and he doesn't even like rice; para locs ver poco III 4)

II

- ca adjetivo ( con sustantivos no numerables) little; ( en plural) few

muy poco vino — very little wine

muy pocos niños — very few children

qué poco sentido común tienes! — you don't have much common sense, do you?

tengo muy poca ropa — I have very few clothes

éramos demasiado pocos — there were too few of us

fue asombroso, todo lo que te pueda decir es poco — it was amazing, I can't (even) begin to tell you

todo le parece poco — she is never satisfied

III

- ca pronombre

1) (poca cantidad, poca cosa)

le serví sopa pero comió poca — I gave her some soup but she didn't eat much

por poco que gane... — no matter how little o however little she earns...

se conforma con poco — he's easily satisfied

poco faltó para que me pegara — he nearly hit me

lo poco que gana se lo gasta en vino — he spends the little o what little he earns on wine

compra más lentejas, nos quedan muy pocas — buy some more lentils, we've hardly any left

es un profesor como pocos — there aren't many teachers like him

pocos pueden permitirse ese lujo — not many people can afford to do that

2) poco ( refiriéndose a tiempo)

lo vi hace poco — I saw him recently o not long ago

hace muy poco que lo conoce — she hasn't known him for very long

tardó poco en hacerlo — it didn't take him long to do it

falta poco para las navidades — it's not long till Christmas

a poco de venir él — soon o shortly after he came

dentro de poco — soon

poco antes de que... — a short while o shortly before...

3) un poco

a) ( refiriéndose a cantidades) a little; ( refiriéndose a tiempo) a while

espera un poquito — wait a little while

todavía le duele un poco — it still hurts him a little o a bit

es un poco lo que está pasando en Japón — it's rather like what's happening in Japan

un poco porque me dio lástima — partly because I felt sorry for him

b)

un poco de: un poco de pimienta/vino a little (bit of) pepper/wine; come un poco de jamón — have a bit of ham

c)

un poco + adj/adv: un poco caro/tarde — a bit o a little expensive/late

4) (en locs)

a poco — (Méx)

¿a poco no lees los periódicos? — don't you read the newspapers?

a poco no está fabuloso Acapulco! — isn't Acapulco just fantastic!

a poco ganaron! — don't tell me they won!

de a poco — (AmL) gradually

agrégale la leche de a poquito — add the milk gradually o a little at a time

de a poquito se lo fue comiendo — little by little she ate it all up

en poco: en poco estuvo que no viniéramos we almost didn't come; tienen en poco la vida ajena they set little value on other people's lives; me tienes bien en poco si crees que... you can't think very highly o much of me if you think...; poco a poco gradually; poco más o menos approximately, roughly; poco menos que nearly; poco menos que la mata (fam) he almost killed her; poco menos que los echan a patadas (fam) they practically kicked them out; por poco — nearly

* * *

= little [less -comp., least -sup.], low [lower -comp., lowest -sup.], scant, trifle, tad, little in the way of.

Ex. Explanatory references give a little more explanation as to why the link between two names is being made in the catalogue or index.

Ex. Carlton Duncan discussed the difficulties built into the educational processes which led to under-performance at school and the resulting low representation in higher education and low entry into the professions.

Ex. Scant attention is paid to evaluation and the needs of users.

Ex. She had been a trifle nervous until it was formally announced that the position was hers.

Ex. Williams is one of those rare poets who satisfies the yearning that many of us have for the memorable phrase we wish we had said were our perceptions a tad keener.

Ex. Without any significant restructuring, the LIS programme in Iran will provide little in the way of riding out the rapid transition that the field is currently experiencing.

----

* abultar poco = be skimpy.

* acercarse poco a poco (a) = edge (toward(s)).

* actuar con poca consideración hacia = play + fast and loose with.

* agua poco profunda = shallow water.

* aguas poco profundas = shallows.

* alimentos poco saludables = unhealthy foods.

* a poca distancia = not far behind.

* a poca distancia andando = within walking distance, within an easy walk.

* a poca distancia a pie = within an easy walk, within walking distance.

* a pocos minutos andando = within walking distance, within easy walking distance, within an easy walk.

* a pocos minutos a pie = within walking distance, within easy walking distance, within an easy walk.

* avanzar poco a poco (hacia) = edge (toward(s)).

* cada pocos años = every few years.

* comida poco saludable = unhealthy foods.

* comportamiento poco cívico = uncivic behaviour.

* con muchos huesos y poca carne = bony [bonier -comp., boniest -sup.].

* con muy poca antelación = at (a) very short notice.

* con muy poca anticipación = at (a) very short notice.

* con muy poca frecuencia = all too seldom.

* con muy pocas excepciones = with few exceptions.

* con muy pocos medios = on a shoestring (budget).

* con poca claridad = indistinctly.

* con poca exactitud = loosely.

* con poca experiencia = inexperienced.

* con poca iluminación = dimly illuminated.

* con poca imaginación = unimaginatively.

* con poca naturalidad = stiltedly.

* con poca población = thinly populated.

* con pocas habilidades = poor-ability.

* con poca visión de futuro = short-sighted [shortsighted].

* con poco dinero = on the cheap.

* con poco entusiasmo = half-heartedly.

* con pocos recursos = under-resourced.

* con pocos recursos económicos = low-budget.

* consumir poco a poco = eat away at.

* con tan poca antelación = at such short notice.

* con tan poca anticipación = at such short notice.

* correr poco a poco = eat away at.

* cuestiones poco claras = grey area [gray area].

* de forma poco ética = unethically.

* de forma poco imaginativa = unimaginatively.

* de forma poco profesional = unprofessionally.

= petty criminal.

Ex. When the security services carry out acts of terror, they employ patsies who often are petty criminals or people who are mentally backward or mentally unstable.

----

* de manera poco ética = unethically.

* de manera poco profesional = unprofessionally.

* demasiado poco común = all too rare.

* de modo poco imaginativo = unimaginatively.

* dentro de poco = before long.

* de población poco densa = sparsely populated.

* de poca importancia = menial, small-time.

* de poca monta = hack, small-time.

* de pocas luces = dim [dimmer -comp., dimmest -sup.], dim-witted [dimwitted].

* de poco impacto = low impact [low-impact].

* de poco peso = pat, feeble.

* de poco provecho = fruitless.

* de poco uso = low-use.

* de poco valor = a dime a dozen.

* desaparecer poco a poco = fade into + the sunset.

* de todo un poco = about this and that and everything else, about this and that.

* de un modo poco constructivo = unconstructively.

* de un modo poco económico = wastefully.

* de un modo poco natural = unnaturally.

* donde cabe mucho también cabe poco = what holds a lot will hold a little.

* durar poco = be short term.

* echar poco a poco = dribble.

* el que mucho abarca poco aprieta = jack of all trades, master of none.

* en el caso poco probable de que = in the unlikely case (that).

* en muy poco tiempo = before long.

* en pocas palabras = simply put, in brief, to say the least, to put it (quite) simply, in short, to cut a long story short, bottom line, the, put simply, to make a long story short, the short story + be, simply stated.

* en poco tiempo = before very long, in quite a short time, in a short time, in a short span of time.

* en unos pocos años = within a few years.

* estar poco dispuesto = be reluctant.

* estar poco representado = underrepresent [under-represent].

* estar un poco anticuado = be some years old.

* excusa poco convincente = lame excuse.

* faltar poco (para) = have + a short way to go (before).

* faltar un poco = be some way off.

* gente de poca importancia = small fry, the.

* haber poca duda de que = there + be + little doubt that.

* hace muy poco tiempo = a short time ago.

* hace poco tiempo = a short time ago.

* hacer poca distinción entre... y... = make + little distinction between... and....

* hacer poco = do + little.

* hacer que sea poco probable = render + unlikely.

* hace unos pocos años = a few years ago.

* hace unos pocos días = a few days ago.

* hasta hace muy poco = until recently, up until recently.

* hasta hace relativamente poco tiempo = until relatively recently.

* horas de poca actividad = slack hours.

* horas de poco movimiento = slack hours.

* introducirse poco a poco = ease + Reflexivo + in.

* ir poco más allá de + Infinitivo = go little further than + Gerundio.

* llegar poco a poco = dribble in.

* lo poco común = rarity, rareness.

* mucho ruido para pocas nueces = much ado about nothing.

* mucho ruido y pocas nueces = storm in a teacup, Posesivo + bark is worse than + Posesivo + bite.

* muchos jefes y pocos trabajadores = too many chiefs and not enough Indians.

* muy poco = minimally.

* ofrecer poco = low-ball.

* operación de poca monta = one-room, one-person operation.

* pagando un poco más = at additional cost.

* parece tener poco sentido que = there + seem + little point in.

* pasar poco a poco = slide into.

* período de poca actividad = slack time.

* perro ladrador, poco mordedor = barking dogs seldom bite, Posesivo + bark is worse than + Posesivo + bite.

* poca cantidad = trickle.

* poca cosa = small fry, the.

* poca iluminación = poor lighting.

* poca importancia = unimportance, low profile.

* poca notoriedad = low profile.

* poca probabilidad = slim chance.

* poca severidad = lenience, leniency.

* pocas expectativas = low expectation.

* poca utilidad = unhelpfulness.

* poco abundante = light [lighter -comp., lightest -sup.].

* poco accesible = unapproachable.

* poco acertado = clumsy [clumsier -comp., clumsiest -sup.], injudicious.

* poco acogedor = inhospitable.

* poco aconsejable = unwise, inadvisable.

* poco adecuado = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco + Adjetivo = slightly + Adjetivo, less than + Adjetivo.

* poco afortunado = unhappy, ill-favoured [ill-favored, -USA].

* poco agraciado = ill-favoured [ill-favored, -USA].

* poco amable = off-putting, surly [surlier -comp., surliest -sup.], crusty [crustier -comp., crustiest -sup.], unkind.

* poco americano = un-American.

* poco amistoso = off-putting, unfriendly.

* poco antes de + Fecha = shortly before + Fecha.

* poco a poco = gradually, piecemeal, slowly, incrementally, at a snail's pace, little by little, bit by bit.

* poco apreciado = unappreciated.

* poco apropiado = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco apto = inapt.

* poco arriesgado = low-risk.

* poco asequible = unapproachable.

* poco atractivo = off-putting, unattractive, unglamorous, uninviting, unappealing.

* poco atrevido = unadventurous.

* poco audaz = unadventurous.

* poco aventurero = unadventurous.

* poco cabelleroso = ungentlemanlike.

* poco cálido = lukewarm.

* poco científico = hit-or-miss, unscientific.

* poco cívico = uncivic.

* poco claro = confusing, fuzzy [fuzzier - comp., fuzziest -sup.], indistinct, obscure, unclear, untidy, hazy, inconclusive, slurred, clouded, blurry [blurrier -comp., blurriest -sup.], undistinguished, uncleared, indistinctive, bleary [blearier -comp., bleariest -sup.].

* poco colaborador = unresponsive.

* poco comercial = uncommercial.

* poco competitivo = uncompetitive.

* poco complicado = uncomplicated, uncomplicatedly.

* poco comprensivo = unsympathetic.

* poco común = rare, unfamiliar, unusual, uncommon, unordinary, out of the ordinary.

* poco comunicativo = uncommunicative, reserved.

* poco confortable = uncomfortable.

* poco conocido = obscure, little known.

* poco convencido = unconvinced.

* poco convencional = unconventional.

* poco convincente = unconvincing, inconclusive, pat, feeble.

* poco convincentemente = unconvincingly.

* poco correcto = ungentlemanlike.

* poco cortés = impolite, ungentlemanlike.

* poco culto = unenlightened.

* poco decidido = half-hearted [halfhearted].

* poco definido = blurry [blurrier -comp., blurriest -sup.], bleary [blearier -comp., bleariest -sup.].

* poco denso = rarefied.

* poco deportivo = unsportsmanlike.

* poco después = soon afterwards, shortly afterwards, shortly after, not long after.

* poco después de = soon after (that), shortly after.

* poco después de que = shortly after.

* poco diestro = poor-ability.

* poco diplomático = indiscreet.

* poco dispuesto = disinclined.

* poco dispuesto a colaborar = uncooperative.

* poco ducho en las nuevas tecnologías = technologically challenged.

* poco económico = uneconomical.

* poco efectivo = ineffectual.

* poco eficaz = non-efficient.

* poco elegante = inelegant, awkward, dowdy [dowdier -comp., dowdiest -sup.].

* poco embarazoso = unembarrassing.

* poco entusiasta = half-hearted [halfhearted], lukewarm.

* poco envidiable = unenviable.

* poco estable = unsettled.

* poco estético = unaesthetic.

* poco estimulador = unchallenging.

* poco estimulante = unexciting, uninspiring, unmoving.

* poco estricto = lax.

* poco ético = unethical.

* poco evidente = unnoticed, unnoted.

* poco exigente = untaxing, undemanding.

* poco favorable = unpromising.

* poco favorecedor = unflattering.

* poco fiable = unreliable, undependable, flaky [flakey].

* poco firme = tenuous, rocky [rockier -comp., rockiest -sup.].

* poco flexible = monolithic, inelastic.

* poco frecuente = infrequent.

* poco fructífero = unfruitful.

* poco gratificante = unrewarding, unsatisfying.

* poco grato = unwelcome.

* poco hábil = poor-ability.

* poco habitual = unaccustomed.

* poco halagador = unflattering.

* poco halagüeño = unflattering.

* poco hospitalario = inhospitable.

* poco idóneo = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco iluminado = dimly illuminated.

* poco imaginativo = unimaginative.

* poco importante = menial, small-time.

* poco impresionado = unimpressed.

* poco informativo = uninformative.

* poco intelectual = lowbrow [low-brow].

* poco inteligente = unintelligent.

* poco intenso = light [lighter -comp., lightest -sup.].

* poco interesante = dull, jackdaw, uninteresting, uninspiring, unremarkable.

* poco juicioso = injudicious.

* poco justificado = ill-justified.

* poco listo = underprepared.

* poco maduro = underripe.

* poco más = little else.

* poco materialista = unworldly.

* poco memorable = forgettable.

* poco mundano = unwordly.

* poco natural = unnatural, stilted.

* poco nítido = untidy.

* poco normal = unnatural, unordinary, out of the ordinary.

* poco novedoso = trite.

* poco original = unoriginal.

* poco ortodoxo = unorthodox.

* poco poblado = thinly populated.

* poco práctico = impractical, awkward.

* poco preparado = underprepared.

* poco probable = unlikely, far-fetched [farfetched].

* poco productivo = unproductive.

* poco profesional = amateurish, unprofessional.

* poco profundo = shallow [shallower -comp., shallowest -sup.].

* poco prometedor = bleak, unpromising.

* poco propicio = unpromising, unpromising.

* poco provechoso = fruitless, unrewarding.

* poco prudente = ill-advised, ill-judged.

* poco pulido = unpolished.

* poco razonable = unreasonable.

* poco realista = unrealistic, unreal, unwordly, way out in left field, airy-fairy.

* poco recomendable = inadvisable.

* poco refinado = unrefined, unpolished.

* poco rentable = uneconomical.

* poco representativo = unrepresentative.

* poco romántico = unromantic.

* poco sabido = little known.

* poco saludable = unwholesome, insalubrious.

* poco sano = unwholesome, insalubrious.

* poco seguro = dicey [dicier -comp., diciest -sup.].

* poco sensato = ill-advised, injudicious, ill-judged.

* poco sentimental = unsentimental.

* poco serio = flippant.

* poco sincero = insincere.

* poco sistemático = sloppy [sloppier -comp., sloppiest -sup.].

* poco social = unsocial.

* poco sofisticado = elementary, unsophisticated, corn-fed.

* poco sólido = insubstantial.

* poco tiempo = short while, short time.

* poco tiempo después = shortly afterwards.

* poco tradicional = untraditional.

* poco unido = loosely knit.

* poco uniforme = patchy [patchier -comp., patchiest -sup.].

* poco usado = little-used.

* poco usual = unusual.

* poco útil = clumsy [clumsier -comp., clumsiest -sup.], unhelpful.

* poquito a poco = little by little.

* por mencionar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por mencionar uno pocos = just to name a few.

* por nombrar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por nombrar unos pocos = to name a few.

* por poco dinero = cheaply.

* por poco o nada = at little or no extra cost.

* por si era poco = for good measure.

* por si fuera poco = to boot, for good measure, to add insult to injury, to add salt to injury, to rub salt in the wound.

* prestar poca atención a = give + little thought to.

* pretexto poco convincente = lame excuse.

* quedar poco (para) = have + a short way to go (before).

* quedar un poco = be some way off.

* quedar un poco perjudicado = be a little worse prepared, be a little worse off.

* que ocupa poco espacio = space-saving.

* qué poco común = how odd.

* quien mucho abarca poco aprieta = bite off more than + Pronombre + can chew.

* reducirse poco a poco = dribble off.

* resultar poco fructífero = prove + unfruitful.

* roer poco a poco = eat away at.

* saber un poco de todo y mucho de nada = jack of all trades, master of none.

* sacar poco a poco = tease out.

* salir un poco perjudicado = be a little worse prepared, be a little worse off.

* sangre poco espesa = thin blood.

* ser algo muy poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo poco común = be the exception rather than the rule.

* ser algo poco conocido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser algo poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo poco sabido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser de poco valor = be of little use, be of little value.

* ser muy poco probable = be remote.

* ser poco = be under-provided.

* ser poco agradecido = be thankless.

* ser poco eficaz = do + little.

* ser poco reconocido = be thankless.

* ser pocos = be few in number, be small in number.

* ser un hecho poco conocido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser un hecho poco sabido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* servir de poco = be of little use.

* servir de poco o nada = be of little or no avail.

* solución poco real = pie in the sky solution.

* tener poca información = be information poor.

* tener pocas luces = as thick as a brick, as thick as two (short) planks, as daft as a brush, knucklehead.

* tener pocas posibilidades de = have + little recourse.

* tener poco que ver = have + little to do.

* tener poco valor = be of little value.

* trabajo de poca monta = odd-job.

* un hombre de pocas palabras = a man of few words.

* unos pocos elegidos = a select few.

* un poco = a bit, somewhat, slightly, something of, a little bit, kinda [kind of].

* un poco áspero = roughish.

* un poco como = kind of like.

* un poco de = a measure of, a touch (of), a bit of, a piece of, a spot of, a splash of, a hint of.

* un poco + Nombre = a shade + Nombre.

* un poco obscuro = dusky.

* un poco perdido = a bit at sea.

* un poco rugoso = roughish.

* usado con poca frecuencia = seldom used [seldom-used].

* usuario que hace poco uso del préstamo = light borrower.

* utilizar poco = underutilise/under-utilise [underutilize/under-utilize, -USA].

* vivienda poco digna = poor housing.

* y poco más = and little more.

* * *

I

adverbio

es muy poco agradecido — he is very ungrateful

un autor muy poco conocido — a very little-known author

me resultó poco interesante — I didn't find it very interesting

habla poco — he doesn't say much o a lot

viene muy poco por aquí — he hardly ever comes around

... con lo poco que le gusta el arroz —... and he doesn't even like rice; para locs ver poco III 4)

II

- ca adjetivo ( con sustantivos no numerables) little; ( en plural) few

muy poco vino — very little wine

muy pocos niños — very few children

qué poco sentido común tienes! — you don't have much common sense, do you?

tengo muy poca ropa — I have very few clothes

éramos demasiado pocos — there were too few of us

fue asombroso, todo lo que te pueda decir es poco — it was amazing, I can't (even) begin to tell you

todo le parece poco — she is never satisfied

III

- ca pronombre

1) (poca cantidad, poca cosa)

le serví sopa pero comió poca — I gave her some soup but she didn't eat much

por poco que gane... — no matter how little o however little she earns...

se conforma con poco — he's easily satisfied

poco faltó para que me pegara — he nearly hit me

lo poco que gana se lo gasta en vino — he spends the little o what little he earns on wine

compra más lentejas, nos quedan muy pocas — buy some more lentils, we've hardly any left

es un profesor como pocos — there aren't many teachers like him

pocos pueden permitirse ese lujo — not many people can afford to do that

2) poco ( refiriéndose a tiempo)

lo vi hace poco — I saw him recently o not long ago

hace muy poco que lo conoce — she hasn't known him for very long

tardó poco en hacerlo — it didn't take him long to do it

falta poco para las navidades — it's not long till Christmas

a poco de venir él — soon o shortly after he came

dentro de poco — soon

poco antes de que... — a short while o shortly before...

3) un poco

a) ( refiriéndose a cantidades) a little; ( refiriéndose a tiempo) a while

espera un poquito — wait a little while

todavía le duele un poco — it still hurts him a little o a bit

es un poco lo que está pasando en Japón — it's rather like what's happening in Japan

un poco porque me dio lástima — partly because I felt sorry for him

b)

un poco de: un poco de pimienta/vino a little (bit of) pepper/wine; come un poco de jamón — have a bit of ham

c)

un poco + adj/adv: un poco caro/tarde — a bit o a little expensive/late

4) (en locs)

a poco — (Méx)

¿a poco no lees los periódicos? — don't you read the newspapers?

a poco no está fabuloso Acapulco! — isn't Acapulco just fantastic!

a poco ganaron! — don't tell me they won!

de a poco — (AmL) gradually

agrégale la leche de a poquito — add the milk gradually o a little at a time

de a poquito se lo fue comiendo — little by little she ate it all up

en poco: en poco estuvo que no viniéramos we almost didn't come; tienen en poco la vida ajena they set little value on other people's lives; me tienes bien en poco si crees que... you can't think very highly o much of me if you think...; poco a poco gradually; poco más o menos approximately, roughly; poco menos que nearly; poco menos que la mata (fam) he almost killed her; poco menos que los echan a patadas (fam) they practically kicked them out; por poco — nearly

* * *

= little [less -comp., least -sup.], low [lower -comp., lowest -sup.], scant, trifle, tad, little in the way of.

Ex: Explanatory references give a little more explanation as to why the link between two names is being made in the catalogue or index.

Ex: Carlton Duncan discussed the difficulties built into the educational processes which led to under-performance at school and the resulting low representation in higher education and low entry into the professions.

Ex: Scant attention is paid to evaluation and the needs of users.

Ex: She had been a trifle nervous until it was formally announced that the position was hers.

Ex: Williams is one of those rare poets who satisfies the yearning that many of us have for the memorable phrase we wish we had said were our perceptions a tad keener.

Ex: Without any significant restructuring, the LIS programme in Iran will provide little in the way of riding out the rapid transition that the field is currently experiencing.

* abultar poco = be skimpy.

* acercarse poco a poco (a) = edge (toward(s)).

* actuar con poca consideración hacia = play + fast and loose with.

* agua poco profunda = shallow water.

* aguas poco profundas = shallows.

* alimentos poco saludables = unhealthy foods.

* a poca distancia = not far behind.

* a poca distancia andando = within walking distance, within an easy walk.

* a poca distancia a pie = within an easy walk, within walking distance.

* a pocos minutos andando = within walking distance, within easy walking distance, within an easy walk.

* a pocos minutos a pie = within walking distance, within easy walking distance, within an easy walk.

* avanzar poco a poco (hacia) = edge (toward(s)).

* cada pocos años = every few years.

* comida poco saludable = unhealthy foods.

* comportamiento poco cívico = uncivic behaviour.

* con muchos huesos y poca carne = bony [bonier -comp., boniest -sup.].

* con muy poca antelación = at (a) very short notice.

* con muy poca anticipación = at (a) very short notice.

* con muy poca frecuencia = all too seldom.

* con muy pocas excepciones = with few exceptions.

* con muy pocos medios = on a shoestring (budget).

* con poca claridad = indistinctly.

* con poca exactitud = loosely.

* con poca experiencia = inexperienced.

* con poca iluminación = dimly illuminated.

* con poca imaginación = unimaginatively.

* con poca naturalidad = stiltedly.

* con poca población = thinly populated.

* con pocas habilidades = poor-ability.

* con poca visión de futuro = short-sighted [shortsighted].

* con poco dinero = on the cheap.

* con poco entusiasmo = half-heartedly.

* con pocos recursos = under-resourced.

* con pocos recursos económicos = low-budget.

* consumir poco a poco = eat away at.

* con tan poca antelación = at such short notice.

* con tan poca anticipación = at such short notice.

* correr poco a poco = eat away at.

* cuestiones poco claras = grey area [gray area].

* de forma poco ética = unethically.

* de forma poco imaginativa = unimaginatively.

* de forma poco profesional = unprofessionally.

= petty criminal.

Ex: When the security services carry out acts of terror, they employ patsies who often are petty criminals or people who are mentally backward or mentally unstable.

* de manera poco ética = unethically.

* de manera poco profesional = unprofessionally.

* demasiado poco común = all too rare.

* de modo poco imaginativo = unimaginatively.

* dentro de poco = before long.

* de población poco densa = sparsely populated.

* de poca importancia = menial, small-time.

* de poca monta = hack, small-time.

* de pocas luces = dim [dimmer -comp., dimmest -sup.], dim-witted [dimwitted].

* de poco impacto = low impact [low-impact].

* de poco peso = pat, feeble.

* de poco provecho = fruitless.

* de poco uso = low-use.

* de poco valor = a dime a dozen.

* desaparecer poco a poco = fade into + the sunset.

* de todo un poco = about this and that and everything else, about this and that.

* de un modo poco constructivo = unconstructively.

* de un modo poco económico = wastefully.

* de un modo poco natural = unnaturally.

* donde cabe mucho también cabe poco = what holds a lot will hold a little.

* durar poco = be short term.

* echar poco a poco = dribble.

* el que mucho abarca poco aprieta = jack of all trades, master of none.

* en el caso poco probable de que = in the unlikely case (that).

* en muy poco tiempo = before long.

* en pocas palabras = simply put, in brief, to say the least, to put it (quite) simply, in short, to cut a long story short, bottom line, the, put simply, to make a long story short, the short story + be, simply stated.

* en poco tiempo = before very long, in quite a short time, in a short time, in a short span of time.

* en unos pocos años = within a few years.

* estar poco dispuesto = be reluctant.

* estar poco representado = underrepresent [under-represent].

* estar un poco anticuado = be some years old.

* excusa poco convincente = lame excuse.

* faltar poco (para) = have + a short way to go (before).

* faltar un poco = be some way off.

* gente de poca importancia = small fry, the.

* haber poca duda de que = there + be + little doubt that.

* hace muy poco tiempo = a short time ago.

* hace poco tiempo = a short time ago.

* hacer poca distinción entre... y... = make + little distinction between... and....

* hacer poco = do + little.

* hacer que sea poco probable = render + unlikely.

* hace unos pocos años = a few years ago.

* hace unos pocos días = a few days ago.

* hasta hace muy poco = until recently, up until recently.

* hasta hace relativamente poco tiempo = until relatively recently.

* horas de poca actividad = slack hours.

* horas de poco movimiento = slack hours.

* introducirse poco a poco = ease + Reflexivo + in.

* ir poco más allá de + Infinitivo = go little further than + Gerundio.

* llegar poco a poco = dribble in.

* lo poco común = rarity, rareness.

* mucho ruido para pocas nueces = much ado about nothing.

* mucho ruido y pocas nueces = storm in a teacup, Posesivo + bark is worse than + Posesivo + bite.

* muchos jefes y pocos trabajadores = too many chiefs and not enough Indians.

* muy poco = minimally.

* ofrecer poco = low-ball.

* operación de poca monta = one-room, one-person operation.

* pagando un poco más = at additional cost.

* parece tener poco sentido que = there + seem + little point in.

* pasar poco a poco = slide into.

* período de poca actividad = slack time.

* perro ladrador, poco mordedor = barking dogs seldom bite, Posesivo + bark is worse than + Posesivo + bite.

* poca cantidad = trickle.

* poca cosa = small fry, the.

* poca iluminación = poor lighting.

* poca importancia = unimportance, low profile.

* poca notoriedad = low profile.

* poca probabilidad = slim chance.

* poca severidad = lenience, leniency.

* pocas expectativas = low expectation.

* poca utilidad = unhelpfulness.

* poco abundante = light [lighter -comp., lightest -sup.].

* poco accesible = unapproachable.

* poco acertado = clumsy [clumsier -comp., clumsiest -sup.], injudicious.

* poco acogedor = inhospitable.

* poco aconsejable = unwise, inadvisable.

* poco adecuado = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco + Adjetivo = slightly + Adjetivo, less than + Adjetivo.

* poco afortunado = unhappy, ill-favoured [ill-favored, -USA].

* poco agraciado = ill-favoured [ill-favored, -USA].

* poco amable = off-putting, surly [surlier -comp., surliest -sup.], crusty [crustier -comp., crustiest -sup.], unkind.

* poco americano = un-American.

* poco amistoso = off-putting, unfriendly.

* poco antes de + Fecha = shortly before + Fecha.

* poco a poco = gradually, piecemeal, slowly, incrementally, at a snail's pace, little by little, bit by bit.

* poco apreciado = unappreciated.

* poco apropiado = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco apto = inapt.

* poco arriesgado = low-risk.

* poco asequible = unapproachable.

* poco atractivo = off-putting, unattractive, unglamorous, uninviting, unappealing.

* poco atrevido = unadventurous.

* poco audaz = unadventurous.

* poco aventurero = unadventurous.

* poco cabelleroso = ungentlemanlike.

* poco cálido = lukewarm.

* poco científico = hit-or-miss, unscientific.

* poco cívico = uncivic.

* poco claro = confusing, fuzzy [fuzzier - comp., fuzziest -sup.], indistinct, obscure, unclear, untidy, hazy, inconclusive, slurred, clouded, blurry [blurrier -comp., blurriest -sup.], undistinguished, uncleared, indistinctive, bleary [blearier -comp., bleariest -sup.].

* poco colaborador = unresponsive.

* poco comercial = uncommercial.

* poco competitivo = uncompetitive.

* poco complicado = uncomplicated, uncomplicatedly.

* poco comprensivo = unsympathetic.

* poco común = rare, unfamiliar, unusual, uncommon, unordinary, out of the ordinary.

* poco comunicativo = uncommunicative, reserved.

* poco confortable = uncomfortable.

* poco conocido = obscure, little known.

* poco convencido = unconvinced.

* poco convencional = unconventional.

* poco convincente = unconvincing, inconclusive, pat, feeble.

* poco convincentemente = unconvincingly.

* poco correcto = ungentlemanlike.

* poco cortés = impolite, ungentlemanlike.

* poco culto = unenlightened.

* poco decidido = half-hearted [halfhearted].

* poco definido = blurry [blurrier -comp., blurriest -sup.], bleary [blearier -comp., bleariest -sup.].

* poco denso = rarefied.

* poco deportivo = unsportsmanlike.

* poco después = soon afterwards, shortly afterwards, shortly after, not long after.

* poco después de = soon after (that), shortly after.

* poco después de que = shortly after.

* poco diestro = poor-ability.

* poco diplomático = indiscreet.

* poco dispuesto = disinclined.

* poco dispuesto a colaborar = uncooperative.

* poco ducho en las nuevas tecnologías = technologically challenged.

* poco económico = uneconomical.

* poco efectivo = ineffectual.

* poco eficaz = non-efficient.

* poco elegante = inelegant, awkward, dowdy [dowdier -comp., dowdiest -sup.].

* poco embarazoso = unembarrassing.

* poco entusiasta = half-hearted [halfhearted], lukewarm.

* poco envidiable = unenviable.

* poco estable = unsettled.

* poco estético = unaesthetic.

* poco estimulador = unchallenging.

* poco estimulante = unexciting, uninspiring, unmoving.

* poco estricto = lax.

* poco ético = unethical.

* poco evidente = unnoticed, unnoted.

* poco exigente = untaxing, undemanding.

* poco favorable = unpromising.

* poco favorecedor = unflattering.

* poco fiable = unreliable, undependable, flaky [flakey].

* poco firme = tenuous, rocky [rockier -comp., rockiest -sup.].

* poco flexible = monolithic, inelastic.

* poco frecuente = infrequent.

* poco fructífero = unfruitful.

* poco gratificante = unrewarding, unsatisfying.

* poco grato = unwelcome.

* poco hábil = poor-ability.

* poco habitual = unaccustomed.

* poco halagador = unflattering.

* poco halagüeño = unflattering.

* poco hospitalario = inhospitable.

* poco idóneo = unsuited, unsuitable, inapt.

* poco iluminado = dimly illuminated.

* poco imaginativo = unimaginative.

* poco importante = menial, small-time.

* poco impresionado = unimpressed.

* poco informativo = uninformative.

* poco intelectual = lowbrow [low-brow].

* poco inteligente = unintelligent.

* poco intenso = light [lighter -comp., lightest -sup.].

* poco interesante = dull, jackdaw, uninteresting, uninspiring, unremarkable.

* poco juicioso = injudicious.

* poco justificado = ill-justified.

* poco listo = underprepared.

* poco maduro = underripe.

* poco más = little else.

* poco materialista = unworldly.

* poco memorable = forgettable.

* poco mundano = unwordly.

* poco natural = unnatural, stilted.

* poco nítido = untidy.

* poco normal = unnatural, unordinary, out of the ordinary.

* poco novedoso = trite.

* poco original = unoriginal.

* poco ortodoxo = unorthodox.

* poco poblado = thinly populated.

* poco práctico = impractical, awkward.

* poco preparado = underprepared.

* poco probable = unlikely, far-fetched [farfetched].

* poco productivo = unproductive.

* poco profesional = amateurish, unprofessional.

* poco profundo = shallow [shallower -comp., shallowest -sup.].

* poco prometedor = bleak, unpromising.

* poco propicio = unpromising, unpromising.

* poco provechoso = fruitless, unrewarding.

* poco prudente = ill-advised, ill-judged.

* poco pulido = unpolished.

* poco razonable = unreasonable.

* poco realista = unrealistic, unreal, unwordly, way out in left field, airy-fairy.

* poco recomendable = inadvisable.

* poco refinado = unrefined, unpolished.

* poco rentable = uneconomical.

* poco representativo = unrepresentative.

* poco romántico = unromantic.

* poco sabido = little known.

* poco saludable = unwholesome, insalubrious.

* poco sano = unwholesome, insalubrious.

* poco seguro = dicey [dicier -comp., diciest -sup.].

* poco sensato = ill-advised, injudicious, ill-judged.

* poco sentimental = unsentimental.

* poco serio = flippant.

* poco sincero = insincere.

* poco sistemático = sloppy [sloppier -comp., sloppiest -sup.].

* poco social = unsocial.

* poco sofisticado = elementary, unsophisticated, corn-fed.

* poco sólido = insubstantial.

* poco tiempo = short while, short time.

* poco tiempo después = shortly afterwards.

* poco tradicional = untraditional.

* poco unido = loosely knit.

* poco uniforme = patchy [patchier -comp., patchiest -sup.].

* poco usado = little-used.

* poco usual = unusual.

* poco útil = clumsy [clumsier -comp., clumsiest -sup.], unhelpful.

* poquito a poco = little by little.

* por mencionar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por mencionar uno pocos = just to name a few.

* por nombrar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por nombrar unos pocos = to name a few.

* por poco dinero = cheaply.

* por poco o nada = at little or no extra cost.

* por si era poco = for good measure.

* por si fuera poco = to boot, for good measure, to add insult to injury, to add salt to injury, to rub salt in the wound.

* prestar poca atención a = give + little thought to.

* pretexto poco convincente = lame excuse.

* quedar poco (para) = have + a short way to go (before).

* quedar un poco = be some way off.

* quedar un poco perjudicado = be a little worse prepared, be a little worse off.

* que ocupa poco espacio = space-saving.

* qué poco común = how odd.

* quien mucho abarca poco aprieta = bite off more than + Pronombre + can chew.

* reducirse poco a poco = dribble off.

* resultar poco fructífero = prove + unfruitful.

* roer poco a poco = eat away at.

* saber un poco de todo y mucho de nada = jack of all trades, master of none.

* sacar poco a poco = tease out.

* salir un poco perjudicado = be a little worse prepared, be a little worse off.

* sangre poco espesa = thin blood.

* ser algo muy poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo poco común = be the exception rather than the rule.

* ser algo poco conocido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser algo poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo poco sabido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser de poco valor = be of little use, be of little value.

* ser muy poco probable = be remote.

* ser poco = be under-provided.

* ser poco agradecido = be thankless.

* ser poco eficaz = do + little.

* ser poco reconocido = be thankless.

* ser pocos = be few in number, be small in number.

* ser un hecho poco conocido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser un hecho poco sabido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* servir de poco = be of little use.

* servir de poco o nada = be of little or no avail.

* solución poco real = pie in the sky solution.

* tener poca información = be information poor.

* tener pocas luces = as thick as a brick, as thick as two (short) planks, as daft as a brush, knucklehead.

* tener pocas posibilidades de = have + little recourse.

* tener poco que ver = have + little to do.

* tener poco valor = be of little value.

* trabajo de poca monta = odd-job.

* un hombre de pocas palabras = a man of few words.

* unos pocos elegidos = a select few.

* un poco = a bit, somewhat, slightly, something of, a little bit, kinda [kind of].

* un poco áspero = roughish.

* un poco como = kind of like.

* un poco de = a measure of, a touch (of), a bit of, a piece of, a spot of, a splash of, a hint of.

* un poco + Nombre = a shade + Nombre.

* un poco obscuro = dusky.

* un poco perdido = a bit at sea.

* un poco rugoso = roughish.

* usado con poca frecuencia = seldom used [seldom-used].

* usuario que hace poco uso del préstamo = light borrower.

* utilizar poco = underutilise/under-utilise [underutilize/under-utilize, -USA].

* vivienda poco digna = poor housing.

* y poco más = and little more.

* * *

poco¹

adverb

[ Grammar notes (Spanish) ]

es muy poco agradecido he is very ungrateful, he isn't at all grateful

es un autor muy poco conocido he is a very little-known author

me resultó poco interesante I didn't find it very interesting, I found it rather uninteresting

habla poco he doesn't say much o a lot

duerme poquísimo she sleeps very little, she doesn't sleep very much

viene muy poco por aquí he hardly ever comes around

poco y nada me ayudaron they hardly helped me at all

… con lo poco que le gusta el arroz … and he doesn't even like rice

para locs ver poco³ pron D. (↑ poco (3))

poco² -ca

adjective

[ Grammar notes (Spanish) ] (con sustantivos no numerables) little; (en plural) few

muy poco vino very little wine

muy pocos niños very few children

hemos tenido muy poca suerte we've been very unlucky, we've had very little luck

¡qué poco sentido común tienes! you don't have much common sense, do you?

tengo muy poca ropa I have hardly any clothes, I have very few clothes

a poca gente se le presenta esa oportunidad not many people get that opportunity

hay muy pocas mujeres en el gremio there are very few women in the trade

éramos demasiado pocos there were too few of us, there weren't enough of us

fue asombroso, todo lo que te pueda decir es poco it was amazing, I can't begin to tell you

a esta mujer todo le parece poco this woman is never satisfied

me he olvidado del poco francés/de las pocas palabras que sabía I've forgotten the little French/the few words I knew

le dio unos pocos pesos she gave him a few pesos

poco³ -ca

pronoun

[ Grammar notes (Spanish) ]

A

(poca cantidad, poca cosa): le serví sopa pero comió poca I gave her some soup but she only ate a little o she didn't eat much

sírvele poco, desayunó muy tarde don't give him (too) much, he had a late breakfast

por poco que gane, siempre es otro sueldo no matter how little o however little she earns o even if she doesn't earn much, it's still another salary coming in

se conforma con poco he's easily satisfied

poco faltó para que me pegara he nearly hit me

poco y nada saqué en limpio de lo que dijo what he said made little or no sense to me

lo poco que gana se lo gasta en vino he spends the little o what little he earns on wine

compra más lentejas, nos quedan muy pocas buy some more lentils, we've hardly any left o we have very few left

es un profesor como pocos there aren't many teachers like him

pocos pueden permitirse ese lujo not many people can afford to do that

B

poco (refiriéndose a tiempo): lo vi hace poco I saw him recently o not long ago

hace muy poco que lo conoce she hasn't known him for very long, she's only known him a little while

tardó poco en pintar la cocina it didn't take him long to paint the kitchen

falta poco para las navidades it's not long till Christmas, Christmas isn't far off

a poco de terminar el bombardeo soon o shortly after the bombing stopped

dentro de poco sale otro tren there'll be another train soon o shortly

poco antes de que ella se fuera a short while o shortly before she left

C

un poco

1 (refiriéndose a cantidades) a little; (refiriéndose a tiempo) a while

¿te sirvo un poco? would you like a little o some?

descansemos un poco let's rest for a while, let's have a little rest

espera un poquito wait a little while

todavía le duele un poquitín or poquitito it still hurts him a little

2

un poco de: ponle un poco de pimienta/vino add a little (bit of) pepper/wine

tiene un poco de fiebre he has a slight fever, he has a bit of a temperature o a slight temperature ( BrE)

come un poco de jamón have a bit of o some o a little ham

3

un poco (hasta cierto punto): es un poco lo que está pasando en Japón it's rather like what's happening in Japan

un poco porque me dio lástima partly because I felt sorry for him

4 un poco + ADJ/ADV:

un poco caro/tarde a bit o a little expensive/late

me queda un poco corto it's a bit short o a little short o slightly too short (for me)

habla un poco más fuerte speak up a bit o a little

D ( en locs):

a poco ( Méx): ¿a poco no lees los periódicos? don't you read the newspapers?

¡a poco no está fabuloso Acapulco! isn't Acapulco just fantastic!

¡a poco ganaron! don't tell me they won!

nos sacamos el gordo de la lotería — ¡a poco ! we won the big lottery prize — you didn't!

de a poco ( AmL); gradually

agrégale la leche de a poquito add the milk gradually o a little at a time

de a poquito se lo fue comiendo little by little o slowly she ate it all up

en poco: en poco estuvo que nos ganaran they came very close to beating us, they very nearly beat us

en poco estuvo que no viniéramos we almost didn't come

tienen en poco la vida ajena they set little value on other people's lives

me tienes bien en poco si me crees capaz de eso you can't think very highly o much of me if you think I could do such a thing

poco a poco or ( Méx) a poquito gradually

poco a poco la fueron arreglando they gradually fixed it up, they fixed it up little by little

poco más o menos approximately, roughly

habrán gastado unos dos millones, poco más o menos they must have spent in the neighborhood o ( BrE) region of two million

poco menos que nearly

es poco menos que imposible it's well-nigh o almost o very nearly impossible

le pegó una paliza que poco menos que la mata ( fam); he gave her such a beating he almost o nearly killed her

poco menos que los echan a patadas ( fam); they practically kicked them out

por poco nearly

por poco nos descubren we were nearly found out

* * *

 

poco 1 adverbio:

◊ habla poco he doesn't say much o a lot;

es muy poco agradecido he is very ungrateful;
un autor muy poco conocido a very little-known author;
viene muy poco por aquí he hardly ever comes around;
para locs ver poco 2 4
poco 2 -ca adjetivo ( con sustantivos no numerables) little;

( en plural) few;

◊ muy poco vino very little wine;

muy pocos niños very few children;
había poquísimos coches there were hardly any cars
■ pronombre
1 (poca cantidad, poca cosa):

◊ había poco que hacer there was little to do;

por poco que gane … no matter how little o however little she earns …;
se conforma con poco he's easily satisfied;
todo le parece poco she is never satisfied;
pocos quisieron ayudar few were willing to help;
pocos pueden permitirse ese lujo not many people can afford to do that
2

◊ poco ( refiriéndose a tiempo): lo vi hace poco I saw him recently o not long ago;

hace muy poco que lo conoce she hasn't known him for very long;
tardó poco en hacerlo it didn't take him long to do it;
falta poco para las navidades it's not long till Christmas;
a poco de venir él soon o shortly after he came;
dentro de poco soon;
poco antes de que … a short while o shortly before …
3

◊ un poco

a) ( refiriéndose a cantidades) a little;

( refiriéndose a tiempo) a while;

◊ dame un poco I'll have some o a little;

espera un poco wait a while

b)

◊ un poco de a little, a bit of

c) un poco + adj/adv:

◊ un poco caro/tarde a bit o a little expensive/late

4 ( en locs)

◊ a poco (Méx): ¡a poco no está fabuloso Acapulco! isn't Acapulco just fantastic!;

¡a poco ganaron! don't tell me they won!;
de a poco (AmL) gradually, little by little;
poco a poco gradually;
poco más o menos approximately, roughly;
por poco nearly
poco,-a
I adjetivo
1 (con el sustantivo en singular) not much, little: tengo poco apetito, I haven't got much appetite
2 (con el sustantivo en plural) not many, few: conozco pocos lugares de Italia, I don't know many places in Italy
II pron (singular) little, not much
(plural) (objetos) few, not many
(personas) few people, not many people ➣ Ver nota en few
III adverbio
1 (con verbo) not (very) much, little: entiendo poco del tema, I don't understand much about the issue
2 (con adjetivo) not very: está poco claro, it's not very clear
3 (de tiempo) hace poco que nos conocemos, we met a short time ago
IV sustantivo masculino
1 (acompañado de adjetivo o adverbio) lo noté un poco molesto, I thought he was a bit annoyed
tendré que hacerlo un poco después, I'll have to do it a little later
2 (acompañando a un sustantivo) dame un poco de agua, give me a little water ➣ Ver nota en little
♦ Locuciones: a poco de, shortly after
dentro de poco, soon
poco a poco, little by little, gradually
poco antes/después, shortly before/afterwards
por poco, almost
' poco' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
abreviar
- aclimatarse
- adelgazar
- aguantar
- ahora
- alcornoque
- alentador
- alentadora
- algo
- antes
- apercibirse
- bagatela
- baja
- bajo
- brusca
- brusco
- bruta
- bruto
- buscar
- calentar
- cargada
- cargado
- cascada
- cascado
- cerebral
- chapucera
- chapucero
- chispa
- clara
- claro
- común
- cruda
- crudo
- cualquiera
- de
- dentro
- descuidada
- descuidado
- descuidarse
- desigual
- desmoronada
- desmoronado
- despatarrarse
- despistada
- despistado
- despreciable
- después
- desvaído
- disipar
- dudosa
English:
accomplice
- add to
- adjust
- aerial
- after
- afterwards
- along
- aloof
- amateurish
- balding
- bark
- belly
- bit
- black
- blind
- blow up
- boot
- by
- can
- careless
- chat
- comedown
- confusing
- cowboy
- degree
- derivative
- desultory
- disagreement
- disingenuous
- diving
- do
- dodgy
- doubtful
- dowdy
- earthy
- easy-going
- edge
- effect
- element
- evasion
- exist
- expect
- fall apart
- far-fetched
- fine
- flippant
- forge
- furnish
- fuzzy
- gradually

* * *

poco, -a

♦ adj

(singular) little, not much; (plural) few, not many;

de poca importancia of little importance;

poca agua not much water;

pocas personas lo saben few o not many people know it;

hay pocos árboles there aren't many trees;

tenemos poco tiempo we don't have much time;

hace poco tiempo not long ago;

dame unos pocos días give me a few days;

esto ocurre pocas veces this rarely happens, this doesn't happen often;

tengo pocas ganas de ir I don't really o much feel like going;

poca sal me parece que le estás echando I don't think you're putting enough salt in, I think you're putting too little salt in;

con lo poco que le gusta la ópera, y la han invitado a La Traviata it's ironic, considering how she dislikes opera, that they should have invited her to see La Traviata

♦ pron

1. [escasa cantidad] (singular) little, not much;

* * *

poco

I adj sg little, not much; pl few, not many;

un poco de a little;

unos pocos a few

II adv little;

trabaja poco he doesn’t work much;

ahora se ve muy poco it’s seldom seen now;

estuvo poco por aquí he wasn’t around much;

poco conocido little known;

poco a poco little by little;

dentro de poco soon, shortly;

hace poco a short time ago, not long ago;

desde hace poco (for) a short while;

por poco nearly, almost;

¡a poco no lo hacemos! Méx don’t tell me we’re not doing it;

de a poco me fui tranquilizando Rpl little by little I calmed down;

por si fuera poco as if that weren’t o wasn’t enough

III m

:

un poco a little, a bit

* * *

poco adv

1) : little, not much

poco probable: not very likely

come poco: he doesn't eat much

2) : a short time, a while

tardaremos poco: we won't be very long

3)

poco antes : shortly before

4)

poco después : shortly after

poco, -ca adj

1) : little, not much, (a) few

tengo poco dinero: I don't have much money

en no pocas ocasiones: on more than a few occasions

poca gente: few people

2)

pocas veces : rarely

poco, -ca pron

1) : little, few

le falta poco para terminar: he's almost finished

uno de los pocos que quedan: one of the remaining few

2)

un poco : a little, a bit

un poco de vino: a little wine

un poco extraño: a bit strange

3)

a poco Mex (used to express disbelief)

¿a poco no se te hizo difícil?: you mean you didn't find it difficult?

4)

de a poco : little by little

5)

hace poco : not long ago

6)

poco a poco : little by little

7)

dentro de poco : shortly, in a little while

8)

por poco : nearly, almost

* * *

poco¹ adj

1. (singular) not much

hay poco café there's not much coffee

has comido poco arroz you haven't eaten much rice

2. (plural) few / not many

tiene pocos amigos he has few friends / he hasn't got many friends

muy poco very little

hay muy poco té there's very little tea

poco² adv

1. (con verbos) not much

trabaja poco he doesn't work much

2. (no mucho tiempo) not long

estuve con él hace poco I was with him not long ago

llegó poco después she arrived not long after

3. (con adjetivos) not very

es poco simpática she's not very friendly

poco a poco little by little

por poco nearly

por poco se cae he nearly fell

por poco pierdo el tren I nearly missed the train

poco³ n a little / a bit

un poco de pan a bit of bread

un poco de agua a little water

tengo de sobra, toma un poco I've got plenty, take a little

poco⁴ pron

1. (singular) not much

compra café, que queda muy poco buy some coffee, there's not much left

2. (plural) few / not many

¿cuántos vinieron? pocos how many came? not many

- ponerse Para las expresiones poner cuidado, poner en duda, poner por las nubes, poner a parir, poner como un trapo, poner verde, poner de vuelta y media, poner por testigo, ponerse por delante, ver la otra entrada. [+ dinero] 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3.

Ex: One such method requires that each book has a magnetic strip inserted into the spine and a special exit door is fitted across which an electric signal is beamed.

Ex: If you encounter an unlabeled document during charge-out, peel off one of the preprinted labels and put it in the document.

Ex: If no fines are to be charged for a particular combination of borrower and material type, set the maximum fine to zero.

Ex: By such mutual assistance, the wits and endeavours of the world may no longer be as so many scattered coals, or firebrands, which, for want of union are soon quenched, whereas, being but laid together, they would have yielded a comfortable light and heat.

Ex: A table is set up in a classroom, books are laid out on it by pupil 'shop assistants' supervised by a rota of teachers, and regular opening hours are laid down and adhered to.

Ex: A table is set up in a classroom, books are laid out on it by pupil 'shop assistants' supervised by a rota of teachers, and regular opening hours are laid down and adhered to.

Ex: A table is set up in a classroom, books are laid out on it by pupil 'shop assistants' supervised by a rota of teachers, and regular opening hours are laid down and adhered to.

Ex: The run-off paper must be thick and absorbent to cope with the thick layer of ink deposited on it by the duplicator.

Ex: In another style of lesson, the book is approached through film clips, dramatizations on TV, or played on records or tapes made commercially.

Ex: There should be plenty of space to lay out all the books attractively and for people to move about without feeling too crowded.

Ex: The article is entitled 'To everything there is a season...a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted: a life-cycle analysis of education for librarianship'.

Ex: Instead of bunging it in the washing machine, clean it carefully by hand using lukewarm water.

Ex: The full-length, two-direction zipper makes it easy to get on and off, and the bottom is easy to unzip for diaper changes.

* con la mirada puesta en = in + Posesivo + sights.

* cosas + ponerse feas = things + get rough.

* costes + ponerse por las nubes = costs + spiral.

* de quita y pon = burn-'em-down-build-'em-up, removable.

* encargado de poner en práctica = implementor [implementer].

* no poner en duda = be unquestioned.

* poner a Alguien al cargo de = put + Nombre + in charge of.

* poner a Alguien al frente de = put + Nombre + in charge of.

* poner a Alguien al mando de = put + Nombre + in charge of.

* poner a Alguien al tanto de = fill + Alguien + in on.

* poner a Alguien contra las cuerdas = put + Nombre + on the spot.

* poner a Alguien en contacto con = put + Nombre + in touch with.

* poner a Alguien en el compromiso de = leave + Nombre + with the choice of.

* poner a Alguien en guardia = put + Nombre + on + Posesivo + guard.

* poner a Alguien en su sitio = cut + Nombre + down to size, knock + Nombre + off + Posesivo + pedestal, cut + Nombre + down to size.

* poner a Alguien en un aprieto = put + Nombre + on the spot.

* poner a Alguien en un apuro = put + Alguien + on the spot, put + Nombre + on the spot.

* poner a Alguien en un compromiso = put + Alguien + on the spot.

* poner a Alguien en un pedestal = put + Nombre + on a pedestal.

* poner a cargo de = put in + charge of.

* poner a disposición = keep within + reach.

* poner a disposición de = make + available to, put at + the disposal of, place + at the disposal of, bring within + reach.

* poner a la altura de las circunstancias = bring + Nombre + up to par.

* poner a la defensiva = put on + the defensive.

* poner al alcance = bring within + reach.

* poner al día = bring + Nombre + up to date, bring + Nombre + up to scratch.

* poner al día (de) = bring + Nombre + up to speed (on), get + Nombre + up to speed on.

* poner Algo a disposición = put + Nombre + within reach.

* poner Algo al alcance = put + Nombre + within reach.

* poner Algo al descubierto = bring + Nombre + to the surface.

* poner Algo a mano = put + Nombre + within reach.

* poner Algo a prueba = push + Nombre + to + Posesivo + limits.

* poner Algo en = stick + Nombre + on.

* poner Algo en Internet = put (out) + Nombre + on the web.

* poner Algo patas arriba = turn + Nombre + inside-out.

* poner Algo por delante de = put + Nombre + ahead of.

* poner Alguien al descubierto = blow + Posesivo + cover.

* poner + Alguien + frenético = make + Alguien + furious.

* poner al mismo nivel que = bring + Nombre + to a par with.

* poner al revés = upend.

* poner al tanto (de) = bring into + the swim of, bring + Nombre + up to speed (on), get + Nombre + up to speed on.

* poner al tanto sobre = give + Nombre + the lowdown on.

* poner a mal tiempo buena cara = keep + Posesivo + chin up.

* poner a + Nombre + a la cabeza de = put + Nombre + ahead in.

* poner a + Número = set to + Número.

* poner aparte = set + apart.

* poner a + Posesivo + disposición = put at + Posesivo + fingertips.

* poner a prueba = stretch, tax, try, strain, overtax, pilot, put to + the test, test, plumb + the depths of, trial, overstretch, push + the envelope, put + Nombre + to the test, try + Nombre + on, push + Nombre + to the edge.

* poner a prueba la paciencia de Alguien = test + Posesivo + patience, try + Nombre + patience.

* poner a prueba la paciencia de un santo = try + the patience of a saint.

* poner a prueba la paciencia de un santo = test + the patience of a saint.

* poner a prueba una idea = test + idea, pilot + idea.

* poner a punto = overhaul, hone, fine tune [fine-tune], tune-up.

* poner atención = lend + an ear, listen (to).

* poner a un lado = lay + Nombre + aside, set + aside.

* poner bonito = get + the rough edge of + Posesivo + tongue.

* poner carnada = bait.

* poner cebo = bait.

* poner como ejemplo = instance, cite + as an example, showcase.

* poner con chinchetas = thumbtack.

* poner delante de = lay before.

* poner de manifiesto = bring into + relief, highlight, show, state, throw into + relief, throw up, evince, illustrate, underscore, underline, emphasise [emphasize, -USA], bring to + light, make + it + clear, lay + bare, provide + insight into, reveal, flag + Nombre + up.

* poner de manifiesto las mejores cualidades de = bring out + the best in.

* poner demasiado énfasis en Algo = overemphasise [over-emphasise] [overemphasize, -USA].

* poner de patitas en la calle = give + Nombre + the boot, sack, boot (out), give + Nombre + the sack, turf out.

* poner de pie = stand + upright.

* poner de pie apoyado sobre un costado = stand on + Posesivo + side.

* poner de + Posesivo + parte = do + Posesivo + part, do + Posesivo + share, do + Posesivo + bit.

* poner de relieve = bring into + relief, throw into + relief, underscore, highlight, show, state, throw up, evince, illustrate, underline, emphasise [emphasize, -USA], flag + Nombre + up, reveal.

* poner de relieve la importancia = underscore + importance.

* poner doble acristalamiento = double glaze.

* poner el candado = padlock.

* poner el centro de atención = put + focus.

* poner el colofón final = bookend.

* poner el culo = take + Nombre + lying down.

* poner el dedo en la llaga = hit + a (raw) nerve, touch on + raw nerve, hit + the nail on the head, strike + home, strike + a nerve, touch on + a sore spot, touch + a (raw) nerve.

* poner el despertador = set + the alarm clock.

* poner el énfasis = put + focus.

* poner el grito en el cielo = be (all) up in arms, kick up + a stink, kick up + a fuss, blow + Posesivo + top, make + a row, make + a ruckus, kick up + a row, blow + Posesivo + lid, blow + Posesivo + stack, scream + blue murder, froth at + the mouth, shout + blue murder.

* poner el matasellos a una carta = postmark.

* poner el precio = price.

* poner el sello = stamp.

* poner el sello a = place + a stamp on.

* poner el sello de = rubber stamp.

* poner empeño = strive.

* poner en adobo = marinade.

* poner en alerta = put on + standby, put on + alert, place + Nombre + on standby.

* poner en alquiler = rent out.

* poner en apuros = cast + a shadow over, put + Nombre + in difficulties.

* poner encima = top with.

* poner en circulación = circulate.

* poner en claro = clear up.

* poner en cola = queue.

* poner en cola de espera = place + in queue.

* poner en contacto = bring into + relationship, contact, provide + an interface, bring into + contact.

* poner en contenedor = containerise [containerize, -USA].

* poner en cuarentena = quarantine.

* poner en cuestión = call into + question, render + questionable.

* poner en cuestión la validez de = bring into + question the validity of, question + the validity of.

* poner en dificultades = put + Nombre + in difficulties.

* poner en duda = challenge, be flawed, question, render + suspect, unsettle, cast + doubt on, regard + with suspicion, put in + doubt, call into + question, shed + doubt, throw into + doubt, throw + doubt on.

* poner en duda la validez de = bring into + question the validity of.

* poner en duda unos principios = shake + foundations.

* poner en el haber de = credit.

* poner en entredicho = challenge, cast + doubt on, subvert, compromise, cast + aspersions on, challenge + Posesivo + assumptions, doubt, question, call into + question, impugn.

* poner en entredicho una postura = compromise + position.

* poner en escena = stage.

* poner en estado de alerta = put on + standby, put on + alert, place + Nombre + on standby.

* poner en evidencia = make + it + clear, underline, bring to + light, put + Nombre + to shame, call + Posesivo + bluff, bring to + the fore.

* poner énfasis = put + emphasis.

* poner énfasis en = lay + stress on, place + emphasis on, lay + emphasis on.

* poner en forma = buff up.

* poner en funcionamiento = activate, set in + action, set up, trip, put into + working order, put in + place, put in + place, put into + place, set in + motion.

* poner en funcionamiento un programa = implement + program(me).

* poner en garantía = pawn.

* poner en hielo = ice.

* poner en juego = tap.

* poner en la calle = evict.

* poner en la pared = pin up.

* poner en la red + Documento Impreso = webify + Documento Impreso.

* poner en libertad = release from + jail.

* poner en libertad bajo fianza = release on + bail.

* poner en libertad condicional = release on + bail.

* poner en libertad condicional, poner en libertad bajo fianza = release on + bail.

* poner en lista de espera = put + on a waiting list.

* poner en marcha = implement, set up, trip, set out on, crank up.

* poner en marcha un proyecto = mobilise + effort.

* poner en órbita = place into + orbit.

* poner en orden = tidy up, put in + order, clear up.

* poner en peligro = jeopardise [jeopardize, -USA], put into + jeopardy, imperil, put at + risk, compromise, endanger, pose + risk.

* poner en peligro la seguridad = breach + security.

* poner en peligro la vida = risk + Posesivo + life, risk + life and limb.

* poner en práctica = exercise, implement, put into + practice, put to + work, put into + effect, put into + practical effect, put in + place, put into + place, translate into + practical action, bring to + bear, deploy.

* poner en práctica una idea = put + Posesivo + idea + into practice.

* poner en práctica una normativa = carry out + policy.

* poner en práctica un arte = practise + art.

* poner en préstamo = circulate.

* poner en primer plano = foreground.

* poner en relación = bring into + relationship.

* poner en remojo = steep.

* poner en ridículo = poke + fun at.

* poner en riesgo = put at + risk.

* poner en su sitio = put in + place.

* poner en tela de juicio = throw + doubt on, contest.

* poner en tensión = put + Nombre + under pressure.

* poner entre comillas = enclose + in quotation marks.

* poner entre corchetes = bracket.

* poner entre la espada y la pared = press to + the point.

* poner entre paréntesis = bracket.

* poner entre rejas = put + Nombre + behind bars.

* poner en uso = bring into + use, take in + use.

* poner en venta = put on + sale.

* poner esfuerzo = give + effort.

* poner fin = curb, bring to + a close, draw to + a close.

* poner fin a = put + paid to, put + an end to, put + a stop to, call + a halt on, bring + an end to, bring to + an end, sound + the death knell for, kill off.

* poner fin a un embarazo = terminate + pregnancy.

* poner freno = curb.

* poner freno a = place + a curb on, clamp down on.

* poner fuera de combate = lay + Nombre + low.

* poner guiones = hyphenate.

* poner huevos = lay + eggs, oviposit.

* poner impuestos = impose + VAT.

* poner la brida = bridle.

* poner la casa al revés = turn + everything upside down.

* poner la casa patas arriba = turn + the house upside down.

* poner la dirección en un sobre = address + envelope.

* poner ladrillos = laying of bricks, lay + bricks.

* poner la fecha = date-stamp.

* poner la mesa = lay + the table.

* poner la otra mejilla = turn + the other cheek.

* poner la responsabilidad en = put + the burden on.

* poner las antenas = prick (up) + Posesivo + ears, Posesivo + antennas + go up.

* poner las bases = lay + foundation, lay + the basis for.

* poner las cartas boca arriba = lay + Posesivo + cards on the table, put + Posesivo + cards on the table.

* poner las cartas sobre la mesa = lay + Posesivo + cards on the table, put + Posesivo + cards on the table.

* poner las cosas en marcha = get + the ball rolling, set + the ball rolling, start + the ball rolling, get + things rolling, get + things going, set + the wheels in motion.

* poner las cosas en movimiento = get + the ball rolling, set + the ball rolling, start + the ball rolling, get + things rolling, get + things going, set + the wheels in motion.

* poner las cosas en su lugar = set + the record straight.

* poner las esposas = handcuff.

* poner la vida en peligro = put + Posesivo + life at risk.

* ponerle el cascabel al gato = stick + Posesivo + neck out (for), stick out + Posesivo + neck.

* ponerle la guinda = put + icing on the cake.

* ponerle la mano encima a = lay + a finger on.

* ponerle los cuernos a = cuckold.

* ponerlo de otra manera = put it + in a different way.

* poner lo pelos de punta = frighten + the living daylights out of.

* poner los ojos en blanco = roll + Posesivo + eyes.

* poner los pelos de punta = bristle, scare + the living daylights out of, frighten + Nombre + to death, make + Posesivo + hair stand on end, scare + the hell out of.

* poner los pies en alto = put + Posesivo + feet up.

* poner los pies en + Posesivo + casa = darken + Posesivo + door.

* poner los pies sobre la tierra = come down + to earth.

* poner más fuerte = crank up.

* poner mucho ahínco = try + Posesivo + heart out.

* poner mucho ahínco en = put + Posesivo + heart into.

* poner mucho empeño = try + Posesivo + heart out.

* poner mucho empeño en = put + Posesivo + heart into.

* poner mucho empeño en + Verbo = be at pains to + Infinitivo.

* poner mucho empeño por = take + (great) pains to.

* poner mucho esmero por = take + (great) pains to.

* poner negro = drive + Alguien + (a)round the bend.

* poner nervioso = rattle.

* poner nervioso a Alguien = give + Nombre + the screaming abdabs.

* poner + Nombre + a dieta = put + Nombre + on a diet.

* poner + Nombre + a + Nombre = place + Nombre + against + Nombre.

* poner objeciones = object.

* poner objeciones a = object to.

* poner obstáculos = cramp.

* poner orden = bring + order, tidying (up), create + order, clear out, clear up.

* poner orden en el caos = create + order out of chaos, create + order out of chaos.

* poner papel en la impresora = load + printer.

* poner parches = patch up, patch.

* poner patas arriba = upend.

* poner pegas = cavil (about/at), baulk [balk, -USA], quibble (about/over/with), raise + objection, find + fault with.

* poner peros = baulk [balk, -USA], cavil (about/at), quibble (about/over/with), raise + objection, find + fault with.

* poner por las nubes = praise + highly, wax + lyrical, wax + rapturous, praise + Nombre + to the skies, sing + Posesivo + praises.

* poner por los suelos = slate, slag + Nombre + off, mouth off, say + nasty things about, call + Nombre + all the names under the sun, trash, cut + Nombre + up, tear + Nombre + down, rubbish.

* poner + Posesivo + granito de arena = do + Posesivo + share, do + Posesivo + part, do + Posesivo + bit.

* poner precio a la cabeza de = declare + open season on.

* poner precio a la cabeza de Alguien = put + a price on + Posesivo + head.

* poner punto final a = put + an end to, bring + an end to, bring to + an end, close + the book on.

* poner punto y final a = put + a stop to, sound + the death knell for.

* poner reparos = cavil (about/at), baulk [balk, -USA], quibble (about/over/with), raise + objection, find + fault with.

* poner sal = salt.

* ponerse = don, pull on, wax.

* ponerse a = set about + Gerundio, get (a)round to, settle down to, get down to + Nombre.

* ponerse a cero = roll over to + zero.

* ponerse a cubierto = run for + cover.

* ponerse a dieta = go on + a diet.

* ponerse a hacer = set out to + do.

* ponerse a hacer Algo en serio = buckle down to.

* ponerse al corriente = come up to + speed.

* ponerse al corriente de = catch up with, catch up on.

* ponerse al día = catching up, come up to + speed, get + up to speed.

* ponerse al día de = get up to + speed on.

* ponerse al día de un atraso = clear + backlog.

* ponerse al día en = catch up with, catch up on.

* ponerse Algo = slip + Nombre + on.

* ponerse al rojo vivo = reach + boiling point, fire up.

* ponerse al tanto = get + up to speed, wise up.

* ponerse al tanto de = get up to + speed on.

* ponerse a malas con = run + afoul of, fall + afoul of.

* ponerse amarillo de envidia = turn + green with envy.

* ponerse a temblar con sólo pensar en = shudder at + the thought of.

* ponerse a trabajar en serio = get on with + Posesivo + work, buckle down to, pull up + Posesivo + socks, pull + (a/Posesivo) finger out.

* ponerse a trabajar por cuenta propia = strike out on + Posesivo + own.

* ponerse a tratar + Algo = get down to + Nombre.

* ponerse blanco = turn + white, whiten.

* ponerse borroso = blur.

* ponerse ciego = make + a pig of + Reflexivo, pig out (on).

* ponerse + Color = go + Color.

* ponerse colorado = get + red in the face, go + bright red.

* ponerse colorado como un tomate = go + bright red.

* ponerse como loco = go + crazy, get + (all) worked up (about), get + hot under the collar.

* ponerse como una fiera = get + Posesivo + knickers in a twist, get + Posesivo + knickers in a bundle, get + Posesivo + panties in a bundle, blow + Posesivo + lid, blow + Posesivo + top, blow + Posesivo + stack.

* ponerse como unas castañuelas = be tickled pink, be chuffed to bits, thrill + Nombre + to bits.

* ponerse como un energúmeno = get + Posesivo + knickers in a twist, get + Posesivo + knickers in a bundle, get + Posesivo + panties in a bundle, blow + Posesivo + top, blow + a fuse, wax + indignant, throw + a wobbly, throw + a wobbler, tear + Posesivo + hair out, blow + Posesivo + lid, blow + Posesivo + stack.

* ponerse contentísimo = be tickled pink, be chuffed to bits, thrill + Nombre + to bits.

* ponerse de acuerdo sobre = agree (on/upon).

* ponerse del lado de = side with.

* ponerse del lado de Alguien = side in + Posesivo + favour.

* ponerse de lleno a = buckle down to.

* ponerse de mil colores = go + bright red.

* ponerse de moda = come into + vogue, come into + fashion.

* ponerse de parte de = side with.

* ponerse de parte de Alguien = side in + Posesivo + favour.

* ponerse de pie = rise, stand up, get to + Posesivo + feet, rise to + Posesivo + feet.

* ponerse de punta = stand out.

* ponerse, el = donning, the.

* ponerse el cinturón = buckle up.

* ponerse en cola = queue up, line up.

* ponerse en contacto = make + contact.

* ponerse en contacto con = be in touch (with), interact (with), get in + touch with.

* ponerse en contra de = turn against.

* ponerse en cuclillas = squat (down), crouch (down).

* ponerse en el lugar de = place + Reflexivo + in the position of, put + Reflexivo + in the position of.

* ponerse en el lugar de Alguien = put + Reflexivo + in + Nombre/Posesivo + shoes, wear + Posesivo + shoes, walk in + Posesivo + shoes.

* ponerse enfermo = get + sick.

* ponerse en fila = line up.

* ponerse en forma = get + fit.

* ponerse en forma para la lucir el cuerpo en la playa = get + beach-fit.

* ponerse en lugar de Alguien = stand in + Posesivo + shoes.

* ponerse en marcha = set off, get off + the ground, swing into + action.

* ponerse en medio = get in + the way (of).

* ponerse en pie de guerra = dig up + the tomahawk, dig up + the hatchet, dig up + the war axe.

* ponerse en práctica = go into + effect.

* ponerse en ridículo = make + a spectacle of + Reflexivo.

* ponerse en tensión = tense up.

* ponerse firme = stand to + attention.

* ponerse frenético = go + berserk, go + postal, go + crazy, work up + a lather, tear + Posesivo + hair out, be furious.

* ponerse fresco con = act + fresh with.

* ponerse furioso = infuriate, get + (all) worked up (about), get + hot under the collar.

* ponerse gallito = bluster.

* ponerse hecho una fiera = go + ballistic, go + berserk, blow + Posesivo + top, go + postal, go + crazy, blow + a fuse, lose + Posesivo + temper, throw + a wobbly, throw + a wobbler, blow + Posesivo + lid, blow + Posesivo + stack.

* ponerse hecho una furia = go + berserk, go + postal, go + crazy, lose + Posesivo + temper.

* ponerse hecho un basilisco = go + ballistic, go + berserk, go + postal, go + crazy, lose + Posesivo + temper.

* ponerse hecho un energúmeno = go + ballistic, blow + Posesivo + top, blow + Posesivo + lid, blow + Posesivo + stack.

* ponerse histérico = go + berserk, go + postal, work up + a lather, throw + a wobbly, throw + a wobbler.

* ponerse la ropa rápidamente = slip into + Posesivo + clothes.

* ponerse las medallas = take + the credit (for).

* ponerse las orejeras = put on + blinkers.

* ponerse las pilas = buckle down to, pull up + Posesivo + socks, put + Posesivo + skates on, get + Posesivo + skates on, pull + (a/Posesivo) finger out.

* ponerse las pilas, ponerse de lleno a, ponerse a trabajar en serio = buckle down to.

* ponerse loco = go + berserk, go + postal, work up + a lather.

* ponerse manos a la obra = get down to + business, swing into + action.

* ponerse marrón = turn + brown.

* ponerse morado = make + a pig of + Reflexivo, pig out (on).

* ponerse nervioso = get + Posesivo + knickers in a bundle, get + Posesivo + panties in a bundle, be in a tizz(y), get in(to) a tizz(y), have + butterflies in + Posesivo + stomach.

* ponerse por las nubes = go + ballistic.

* ponerse rígido = stiffen.

* ponerse rojo = get + red in the face, go + bright red.

* ponerse rojo como un tomate = go + bright red.

* ponerse seriamente a = settle to.

* ponerse tenso = tense up, stress + Nombre + out.

* ponerse tibio = pig out (on).

* ponerse una tarea = set + Reflexivo + task.

* poner sobre aviso = alert to.

* poner término a = put + paid to.

* poner toda la carne en el asador = go for + broke, shoot (for) + the moon, put + all (of) + Posesivo + eggs in one basket.

* poner todo de + Posesivo + parte = give + Posesivo + best, do + Posesivo + best, give + Posesivo + utmost.

* poner todo patas arriba = turn + everything upside down.

* poner todos los huevos en una canasta = put + all (of) + Posesivo + eggs in one basket, put + all (of) + Posesivo + eggs in one basket.

* poner trabas = cramp.

* poner una bomba = plant + bomb.

* poner una demanda = face + legal action.

* poner una denuncia = file + police report.

* poner una marca de comprobación = check-mark.

* poner una nota en un sitio público = post.

* poner una reclamación = appeal.

* poner una señal = put up + a sign, put up + a notice.

* poner una señal de aviso = post + a warning, post + a warning sign.

* poner una tienda = pitch + tent.

* poner un círculo alrededor = circle.

* poner un ejemplo = take + an example, draw + example.

* poner un letrero = put up + a sign, post + a notice, put up + a notice.

* poner un pie = set + foot (inside/in/on).

* poner un poquito de picante = pep up.

* poner un precio a Algo muy alto = overprice.

* poner verde = mouth off, get + the rough edge of + Posesivo + tongue, trash, call + Nombre + all the names under the sun, say + nasty things about, slag + Nombre + off, cut + Nombre + up, tear + Nombre + down, slate, rubbish.

* poner vertical = stand + upright, upend.

* poner y quitar = get on and off.

* pongamos el caso de que = for the sake of + argument.

* pongamos, por ejemplo,... = let us say, take, for example,..., take, for instance,....

* por poner un ejemplo + Adjetivo = to take a + Adjetivo + example.

* por poner un ejemplo sobre + Nombre = to take + Nombre.

* precio + ponerse por las nubes = price + go through the roof, price + spiral out of control, price + soar through the roof.

* precios + ponerse por las nubes = prices + spiral.

* que pone la vida en peligro = life threatening.

* que pone obstáculos = obstructive.

* quita o pon = give or take.

* sin poner en duda la veracidad de Algo temporalmente = suspension of disbelief.

* sin poner en escena = unproduced.

* sin ponerlo en duda = uncritically.

* sin ponerse en duda = unquestioned.

* sólo con la ropa interior puesta = in + Posesivo + underclothes.

* sol + ponerse (por) = sun + set (on).

* volver a ponerse al día = be back on track, be on track.

 

poner ( conjugate poner) verbo transitivo
1


ponle el collar al perro put the dog's collar on;
poner una bomba to plant a bomb



2 ( agregar) to put
3 ‹inyección/supositorio› to give
4

5 (instalar, montar)



6 [ ave] ‹ huevo› to lay
7 (Esp) (servir, dar):

¿cuántos le pongo? how many would you like?
1 ‹ dinero› ( contribuir) to put in;

2 ‹ atención› to pay;
‹cuidado/interés› to take;

3

‹examen/problema› to set;




4 ( dar) ‹nombre/apodo› to give;
‹ ejemplo› to give;

5 ( enviar) ‹ telegrama› to send
6 ( escribir) ‹dedicatoria/líneas› to write
7 (Esp) (exhibir, dar) ‹ película› to show;

¿qué ponen en el Royal? what's on o what's showing at the Royal?
1

‹programa/canal› to put on;
‹cinta/disco/música› to put on;



puso el reloj en hora she put the clock right
2 (Esp) ( al teléfono): poner a algn con algo/algn to put sb through to sth/sb
(en estado, situación) (+ compl):

poner a algn en un aprieto to put sb in an awkward position
vi [ ave] to lay
ponerse verbo pronominal
1 ( refl) ( colocarse):

ponerse de pie to stand (up);
ponerse de rodillas to kneel (down), get down on one's knees
2 [ sol] to set
3 ( refl) ‹calzado/maquillaje/alhaja› to put on;

1 (en estado, situación) (+ compl):

se puso triste she became sad;
cuando lo vio se puso muy contenta she was so happy when she saw it;
se puso como loco he went mad;
ponerse cómodo to make oneself comfortable
2 ( empezar) ponerse a + inf to start -ing, to start + inf;

(Esp):

poner verbo transitivo
1 (en un lugar, una situación) to put: me puso en un aprieto, he put me in a tight corner
(seguido de adjetivo) to make: me pone contento, he makes me happy
2 (hacer funcionar) to turn o switch on
3 (un fax, telegrama) to send
poner una conferencia, to make a long-distance call
4 (una multa, un castigo) to impose
5 (abrir un negocio) to set up
6 (vestir) to put on
7 (exponer) tienes que poner la planta al sol/a la sombra, you have to put the plant in the sun/shade
8 (aportar) yo puse mil pesetas, I contributed a thousand pesetas
9 (conjeturar, imaginar) to suppose: pongamos que..., supposing (that)...
10 (estar escrito) lo pone aquí, it's written here
no pone nada de eso, it doesn't say anything about that
11 TV Cine to put on, show
12 Tel ponme con él, put me through to him
13 (un nombre) le pondremos Tadeo, we are going to call him Tadeo
ya le puso título a la novela, he has already given the novel a title
♦ Locuciones: poner a alguien a caldo, to pull sb to pieces
poner a cien, to make sb nervous: me pone a cien cuando habla de ese modo, when he talks that way I get nervous
poner en duda, to call into question: los inversores pusieron su competencia en duda, the investors questioned his competence
poner a alguien en evidencia, to show sb up
poner en evidencia, to show up: la situación pone en evidencia la falta de justicia del sistema, the situation exposes the system's unfairness
poner a alguien en su sitio, to put sb in his place
' poner' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
activar
- alinear
- alta
- alto
- altura
- antecedente
- antena
- arreglar
- arrinconar
- aunar
- bandeja
- brete
- cabeza
- calzar
- caldo
- calle
- cara
- cargar
- carta
- caso
- cien
- codificar
- comprometer
- confiar
- coto
- crecer
- cuenco
- cuestión
- dejar
- denuncia
- depositar
- descomponer
- descubierta
- descubierto
- desesperar
- diente
- dirigir
- discutir
- distribuir
- enchufar
- enderezar
- enervar
- enfermar
- enfrentar
- enmascarar
- entregar
- entregarse
- escenificar
- escobilla
- esmerarse
English:
acquaint
- action
- apply
- arm
- arrange
- aside
- best
- blur
- bond
- box
- bracket
- bundle
- bung
- cap
- cast
- cheek
- claim
- code
- collect
- compromise
- connect
- cork
- crack
- cross
- crown
- curb
- date
- dip
- discomfit
- dishwasher
- egg
- end
- endanger
- excite
- face
- fault
- feature
- fetter
- fill in
- fit
- fluster
- follow up
- forewarn
- free
- gather
- get
- glaze
- go
- gown
- grin
[multa] to give; [deberes, examen, tarea] to give, to set; [conferencia] to make; Esp Esp [despertador] to set; [instalación, gas] to put in; [música, cinta, disco] to put on; [gallina, aves] to lay (eggs) Am Fam [parecer]