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Bandera de Costa Rica

/ka-LI-ya/

A difficult situation, tight spot, or problem that's hard to get out of. In Costa Rica, being 'en una calilla' means you're stuck — no money on a Friday, forgot your passport at the airport, locked out of your own house. Minor catastrophes with major inconvenience.

Example

"I'm stuck with no money on a Friday — nightmare."

"What a mess — I left my passport at home."

Regional synonyms:

Resaca o malestar del día después de beber demasiado alcohol. En Chile y España es esa sensación horrible de dolor de cabeza y náuseas que te hace jurar que nunca vas a volver a tomar.