Example: Él sabe que tiene los días contados en ese trabajo.
Definition
"Tener los días contados" is an expression meaning to be in a situation where the remaining time or opportunities are very limited, often implying an inevitable end. For example, it can describe someone aware that their time at a job is almost over.
Translations
to be living on borrowed time
zijn dagen geteld hebben
tenir els dies comptats
avoir les jours comptés
gezählte Tage haben
Etymology
The expression "tener los días contados" literally means 'to have the days counted,' originating from the idea of counting down the limited number of days left until a certain event or ending occurs. It reflects the concept of a finite period being measured and nearing its conclusion.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Tener los días contados" appears in the Vocaplus list "Spanish - General - Modismos y refranes - (C2) - parte 1", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
Would you like to not only understand these expressions, but also remember them and use them actively? Create a free account and select Spanish as the language you want to learn.
to be living on borrowed time