a palo seco
set phrase
1. neat, straight
drink without a mixer or ice
Common combinations
- beber a palo seco — drink neat
- tomar whisky a palo seco — have whisky neat
- Prefiero el whisky a palo seco.I prefer my whisky neat.
- Bebió el ron a palo seco.He drank the rum straight.
- No quiero hielo: tomaré el vodka a palo seco.I don't want ice: I'll have the vodka neat.
2. bluntly, without embellishment
in speech or writing
Common combinations
- decir algo a palo seco — say something bluntly
- contar algo a palo seco — tell something without embellishment
- Te lo digo a palo seco: no volveré.I'll tell you bluntly: I won't come back.
- El profesor dio la noticia a palo seco.The teacher gave the news bluntly.
- La historia está contada a palo seco.The story is told without embellishment.