Spanish Idioms using “Estar” (to be)

One of the interesting parts of learning a new language is seeing how it compares to your own language. It is interesting to see the similarities and differences when using idiomatic expressions in another language. Here are some common phrases that use “estar” (the temporary/situational verb for “to be”):

Estar todavía en pañales – To still be in nappies/naïve
Estar como pez en el agua – To be like a fish in water (To be in one’s element, enjoy your own comforts)
Estar como agua para chocolate – To be like water for chocolate (To be at boiling point)
Estar más sano que una pera – To be healthier than a pear (To be as fit as a fiddle)
Estar más loco/a que una cabra – To be more mad than a goat (To be as mad as a hatter)
Estar hasta las narices de algo – To be up to the nostrils about something (To be fed-up to the back teeth)
Estar metida en un rollo – To be put in a roll (To be in a mess/hot water)
Estar al loro – To be at the parrot (To pay attention, be attentive, up-to-date)
Estoy que me caigo – I am about to fall (I’m dead tired)
Estar colgado – To be hung up (To be in love/to have a crush)
Estar de veinticinco alfileres – To be of 25 pins (To be dressed to kill)
Estar muy potable – To be very drinkable (To look attractive/nice)
Estar como boca de lobo – To be like the mouth of a wolf (To be pitch black/completely dark)
Estar entre la espada y la pared – To be between the sword and the wall (To be caught between a rock and a hard place)
Estar hecho un Adán – To be like Adam (to look a mess)
Estar hasta en la sopa – To be even in the soup (There’s no getting away from him)