ponerse las pilas

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get one's act together, get moving, knuckle down, take cocaine, do coke
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/poˈneɾse las ˈpilas/
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To summon the energy and focus needed to act.
Practice using ponerse las pilas in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • En ese grupo, ponerse las pilas era una forma velada de hablar de consumir cocaína.
    In that group, getting on the coke was a coded way to talk about taking cocaine.
  • Usó ponerse las pilas como jerga para no nombrar la cocaína directamente.
    She used getting on the coke as slang to avoid naming cocaine directly.
  • La expresión puede causar un malentendido en Ecuador si alguien habla de ponerse las pilas en una fiesta.
    The expression can cause a misunderstanding in Ecuador if someone talks about doing cocaine at a party.
  • Me voy a poner las pilas con el informe esta tarde.
    I'm going to get serious about the report this afternoon.
  • Decirle «ponte las pilas» sonó brusco, así que le ofreció ayuda.
    Saying “get your act together” sounded harsh, so she offered help.

Similar words

darse un pase
ponerse en marcha
consumir cocaína
espabilarse
avivarse
meterse coca
ponerse manos a la obra
aplicarse

Meanings

Get moving and make an effort

everyday
informal
To begin a task with energy, focus, and determination, often after being slow, distracted, or ineffective.

Examples

  • Si queremos entregar hoy, tenemos que ponernos las pilas.
    If we want to deliver today, we have to get our act together.
  • Ponte las pilas o perderás el autobús.
    Get moving or you'll miss the bus.
  • Marina se puso las pilas y aprobó todas las asignaturas.
    Marina knuckled down and passed all her subjects.
  • El entrenador les pidió que se pusieran las pilas en la segunda parte.
    The coach asked them to step up in the second half.
  • Decirle «ponte las pilas» sonó brusco, así que le ofreció ayuda.
    Saying “get your act together” sounded harsh, so she offered help.
  • Me voy a poner las pilas con el informe esta tarde.
    I'm going to get serious about the report this afternoon.

Similar words

ponerse manos a la obra
ponerse en marcha
aplicarse
espabilarse
avivarse

Take cocaine in Ecuador

drugs
slang
In Ecuadorian drug slang, to take cocaine as a stimulant or recreational drug.

Examples

  • En ese grupo, ponerse las pilas era una forma velada de hablar de consumir cocaína.
    In that group, getting on the coke was a coded way to talk about taking cocaine.
  • Le propusieron ponerse las pilas, pero se negó.
    They suggested doing cocaine, but he refused.
  • La expresión puede causar un malentendido en Ecuador si alguien habla de ponerse las pilas en una fiesta.
    The expression can cause a misunderstanding in Ecuador if someone talks about doing cocaine at a party.
  • Dijo que se había puesto las pilas toda la noche y necesitaba descansar.
    He said he had been doing coke all night and needed to rest.
  • Usó ponerse las pilas como jerga para no nombrar la cocaína directamente.
    She used getting on the coke as slang to avoid naming cocaine directly.

Similar words

consumir cocaína
meterse coca
darse un pase

Etymology

Literally “to put one's batteries in,” comparing a person who becomes active and effective with a device supplied with electrical batteries.

FAQ

What does ponerse las pilas mean?

It usually means to get one's act together, start working energetically, or respond more quickly.

Is ponerse las pilas informal?

Yes. It is a common colloquial expression and can sound like a firm push when directed at someone.

How is ponerse las pilas used in a command?

The familiar singular command is ponte las pilas, while the plural forms include poneos las pilas and pónganse las pilas.

What is the literal meaning of ponerse las pilas?

It literally means “to put one's batteries in,” picturing renewed energy like that of a battery-powered device.

Can ponerse las pilas have a drug meaning?

Yes. In Ecuadorian slang it can mean taking cocaine, so context and region matter.

What are common alternatives to ponerse las pilas?

For the everyday sense, ponerse manos a la obra, ponerse en marcha, and aplicarse are common alternatives.

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