arreglar cuentas
Lemma Details
Translation: to settle accounts; to settle scores; to get even; to square up
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This phrase combines 'arreglar' (to fix, arrange, settle) from Latin 'regula' (rule, straight piece of wood) and 'cuentas' (accounts, bills) from Latin 'computare' (to calculate). The combination creates an idiomatic expression about resolving financial matters or, more figuratively, resolving conflicts or grudges.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 50%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Después de lo que me hizo, tengo que arreglar cuentas con él.
After what he did to me, I need to settle scores with him.
Vino a arreglar cuentas con su antiguo socio.
He came to settle accounts with his former partner.
Ya arreglaremos cuentas más tarde.
We'll settle scores later.
Tenemos que arreglar cuentas antes de fin de mes.
We need to settle accounts before the end of the month.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'arrange' (arreglar) + 'accounts' (cuentas) = arranging your accounts with someone
- Visualize putting your accounts in order ('arreglar' = to fix or arrange) to remember the meaning
- Remember that 'cuentas' relates to counting or accounting, so you're fixing what's been counted against someone
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This phrase is commonly used in Spanish-speaking cultures both literally (for financial settlements) and figuratively (for resolving conflicts or getting revenge). It appears frequently in films, literature, and everyday speech when discussing retribution or settling old scores.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Arreglar cuentas' often has a connotation of settling disputes or getting even, while 'pagar cuentas' simply means to pay bills without any implication of conflict resolution.
Confused word:
Necesito pagar cuentas antes de que corten la electricidad.
I need to pay bills before they cut off the electricity.
Notes: The context usually makes it clear whether the phrase is being used literally (about money) or figuratively (about revenge or resolution).
Mnemonic: 'Arreglar' suggests fixing a situation (like a grudge), while 'pagar' is just about payment.
Explanation: 'Arreglar cuentas' means to settle accounts or scores, often with a connotation of resolving conflicts, while 'hacer cuentas' means to do accounting or calculate expenses without any implication of conflict.
This word:
Voy a arreglar cuentas con quien me traicionó.
I'm going to settle scores with whoever betrayed me.
Confused word:
Estoy haciendo cuentas para ver si puedo comprar un coche nuevo.
I'm doing calculations to see if I can buy a new car.
Notes: 'Hacer cuentas' is neutral and practical, while 'arreglar cuentas' often carries emotional weight.
Mnemonic: 'Arreglar' (fix/settle) implies resolving something, while 'hacer' (do/make) is just about performing calculations.