Spanish Idiom · Native
meter la pata
to mess up / to put one's foot in it
Pronunciation: meh-TÉR la PA-ta
Meaning
To make a blunder or a mistake, often a social one, or to say something inappropriate.
Example
Metí la pata al mencionar su ex-novio en la conversación.
I put my foot in it by mentioning her ex-boyfriend in the conversation.
Common mistakes & tips
- Practice meter la pata out loud — read the pronunciation guide above and repeat.
- Use it in your own sentence today; reuse beats rereading.
- Pay attention to context: this is a native-level Spanish idiom.