After some time, I recently came across this expression which, although not that frequent, really carries an interesting meaning. It’s used in the same way as we’d use to stand your ground in English.

Originally, it was heard when referring to the attitude of football fans when confronting the opposite team’s fan, usually in a violent fashion. Opposite gangs would try to steal each other’s flags as trophies, and that’s how the phrase possibly was born.

With time, it became more of a go-to expression when you’re maintaining a position (like never backing down/ never giving up) or alternatively, to being patient in difficult times.

For example, when I googled to find examples of the expression I found:

• “Hay que aguantar los trapos, lo económico es cuestión de tiempo.”
• “La mayoría de los empresarios de la provincia se ha puesto a disposición para aguantar los trapos.”

Sometimes, it’s just chopped off to aguantar.

Cool expression to know, I think.

Until next time!

You might also want to read these articles:

• Know thyself
  Take this questionnaire to know yourself better as a learner and leverage your learning.
• Redefining what a lesson is
  It’s time for a full disclaimer. What does learning a language look like in 2025?
• ATR | A Todo Ritmo
  Learn what ATR means and when/how it’s used in Argentina.
• Self-talk
  In this article, we talk about the convenience of self-talk in our Spanish practices.
• Little wonders
  This post will give you some short phrases to react naturally in conversations.
• Expressions with DE
  Let’s dive in into a few everyday expressions with DE, shall we?