pagar el pato
Lemma Details
Translation: to take the blame; to pay the price; to suffer the consequences
Part of Speech: idiom
Etymology: This Spanish idiom literally translates as 'to pay the duck.' Its origin is debated, but one theory suggests it comes from medieval Spain when Jews and conversos (Jews forced to convert to Christianity) were sometimes fined or punished and had to 'pay for the duck' (pagar el pato). Another theory links it to the practice of making someone pay for a meal (often duck) they didn't eat. Over time, it evolved to mean bearing responsibility or suffering consequences for something one didn't do or that others caused.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 10%
Register: informal
Example Usage
Al final, siempre soy yo quien paga el pato por los errores de los demás.
In the end, I'm always the one who takes the blame for others' mistakes.
El director pagó el pato cuando el proyecto fracasó, aunque no fue su culpa.
The director took the blame when the project failed, even though it wasn't his fault.
Si algo sale mal, tú pagarás el pato.
If something goes wrong, you'll pay the price.
Mnemonics
- Imagine a person reluctantly paying for a duck (pato) they didn't order at a restaurant - they're taking the blame for someone else's order.
- Think of 'PAto' as 'PAy the price' - when you 'pagar el pato,' you're paying the price for something you didn't do.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This idiom is widely used across Spanish-speaking countries in everyday conversation. It's often used in situations where someone innocent ends up suffering the consequences of others' actions or mistakes. The expression appears frequently in news headlines, everyday conversations, and literature.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'pagar el pato' specifically means to take the blame or suffer consequences (often unfairly), 'pagar el precio' is more literal and means to pay the actual price or cost of something, either literally or figuratively.
Confused word:
Tendrás que pagar el precio de tus acciones.
You'll have to pay the price for your actions.
Notes: 'Pagar el pato' often implies unfair blame, while 'pagar el precio' typically refers to deserved consequences.
Mnemonic: 'Pato' (duck) suggests something unexpected or unfair, while 'precio' (price) is the expected cost of something.
Explanation: Both idioms mean to take the blame or suffer consequences for something, often unfairly. They're nearly synonymous but 'pagar los platos rotos' (literally 'to pay for the broken plates') might emphasize the aftermath of a mistake or accident more specifically.
Notes: These idioms can often be used interchangeably in many contexts.
Mnemonic: Think of 'pato' (duck) as something alive that you're responsible for, while 'platos rotos' (broken plates) represents the aftermath of a disaster.