de pies a cabeza
Lemma Details
Translation: from head to toe; from top to bottom; completely; thoroughly
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This Spanish idiomatic expression combines 'de' (from), 'pies' (feet), 'a' (to), and 'cabeza' (head). It's interesting that while the English equivalent 'from head to toe' orders the body parts from top to bottom, the Spanish version does the opposite, starting with feet and ending with head. This reflects how different languages can conceptualize the same idea with reversed spatial orientations.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 60%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Después de la lluvia, estaba mojado de pies a cabeza.
After the rain, he was wet from head to toe.
La examinó de pies a cabeza antes de hacer su diagnóstico.
She examined him from head to toe before making her diagnosis.
Me temblaba el cuerpo de pies a cabeza por el miedo.
My body was trembling from head to toe with fear.
Mnemonics
- Think of scanning someone from their feet up to their head to remember the order in Spanish.
- Visualize someone standing in mud that slowly rises from their feet to their head to remember the direction.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This expression is widely used in Spanish-speaking countries to describe something that affects or covers the entire body or person. It's commonly used in contexts of appearance, clothing, illness, or transformation.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'de pies a cabeza' goes from feet to head (bottom to top), 'de la cabeza a los pies' goes from head to feet (top to bottom). Both express the same concept of 'completely' or 'entirely' but with opposite directional imagery.
This word:
Lo miró de pies a cabeza con desprecio.
She looked at him from head to toe with contempt.
Notes: Both phrases are used interchangeably in modern Spanish, though 'de pies a cabeza' is more common.
Mnemonic: Remember that 'de pies a cabeza' starts with 'pies' (feet) and ends with 'cabeza' (head), so it goes upward.