How do you say “Don't hold your breath” in Spanish?
The closest natural Spanish equivalent is No te hagas ilusiones., which literally means “Do not create illusions for yourself.”. English speakers use don't hold your breath to mean that something is unlikely to happen soon, or may not happen at all. Focuses on unlikely hopes rather than the length of the wait. Register: informal. Usage frequency: common.
Closest natural Spanish
No te hagas ilusiones.
/no te ˈaɣas iluˈsjones/
- Literal meaning
- “Do not create illusions for yourself.”
- Register
- informal
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Near-exact equivalent
90 out of 100
What a native Spanish speaker would actually say
This is a natural warning not to expect too much. It fits promises that seem unlikely to be kept, though it does not directly mention waiting.
If the delay is the main point, “Puedes esperar sentado” gives a more sarcastic reply: you may as well sit down for the wait.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning4 out of 5
- Tone5 out of 5
- Context5 out of 5
- Literal similarity1 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
What are other ways to say it in Spanish?
Puedes esperar sentado.
Literally: “You can wait sitting down.”
A more sarcastic reply about a long or hopeless wait.
In context
English
He says he'll apologise, but don't hold your breath.
Spanish
Dice que va a disculparse, pero no te hagas ilusiones.
English
A better room for free? Don't hold your breath.
Spanish
¿Una habitación mejor sin pagar más? No te hagas ilusiones.
Related expressions
Last updated 2026-09-19