cantar las cuarenta

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Spanish

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Etymology

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The phrases stems from the card game tute

Verb

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cantar las cuarenta (first-person singular present canto las cuarenta, first-person singular preterite canté las cuarenta, past participle cantado las cuarenta)

  1. (idiomatic) to read the riot act; tick off; scold; reprimand
    Synonym: leer la cartilla
  2. (idiomatic) (to someone) to state an opinion firmly and even bluntly, without caring if the other person might get offended
  3. (idiomatic, rare) to score a big achievement or victory in any field

Further reading

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