Tag Archives: #saying

“Cuando Cuelgo Los Tenis”

Age: 20
Occupation: University Student
Language: Spanish

Informant Information:

Age: 20

Date of Performance: 2/15/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: University Student

Primary Language: Spanish

Residence: Los Angeles, California

Text: “Cuando cuelgo los tenis”

Translation: “When I hang my shoes”

Figurative Meaning: “When I die”

Context:

Whenever the informant’s mother was upset or disappointed with the informant’s behavior, she would use the Spanish phrase “Cuando cuelgo los tenis” (“When I hang my shoes”). The phrase was used hypothetically, implying that the mother’s death could be a consequence of the child’s actions.

Analysis:

This phrase is commonly used by parents in Mexican Spanish to evoke guilt or a sense of responsibility in their children. When a parent is upset or disappointed, they may use this expression to suggest that their child’s behavior is distressing enough to contribute to their eventual passing. This type of statement reflects a universal theme in parenting, where guilt is employed as a tool to encourage compliance and reinforce family values. While the threat of death is not meant to be taken literally, it emphasizes the importance of respect, familial bonds, and the physical and emotional impact of one’s actions on their loved ones.

“Better to have gone out trying”

Age: 20

Participant first heard this phrase during their first year of college. They found it particularly useful during this time to reflect on their own past choices from childhood, and their regrets of not trying things. They have stated that “Better to have gone out trying” is “like trying something and failing at it is better than not trying at all.”. They continue to use it to step out of their comfort zone, like trying new things or meeting new people.

Analysis: The participant has summed up the meaning of this phrase pretty well. “Better to have gone out trying” is a phrase I think useful to people experiencing a transition in life or before making a huge decision. This is a motivational saying, looking to convince someone to “just go for it!”, as it’s better to try than regret it later.