A trancas y barrancas
backWith bars and ravines.
by fits and starts; **by fits and starts**; **with great difficulty**; **haltingly**; **with many setbacks**; **little by little, despite the obstacles**
A trancas y barrancas means with great difficulty, with many setbacks, by fits and starts, with ups and downs, or haltingly.
El proyecto salió adelante a trancas y barrancas.
The project moved forward by fits and starts.
Aprendió español a trancas y barrancas.
He learned Spanish with great difficulty.
Las negociaciones avanzan a trancas y barrancas.
The negotiations are progressing slowly with many setbacks.
La obra continúa, aunque sea a trancas y barrancas.
The construction work continues, despite constant obstacles.
It describes progress that is slow, awkward or repeatedly interrupted by problems.
- projects that advance slowly
- difficult negotiations
- learning processes
- relationships with constant problems
- any situation that progresses despite repeated obstacles
It grew naturally out of everyday colloquial speech.
The expression probably combines tranca (a bar or obstacle) with barranca (a ravine or steep slope), creating the image of someone advancing while repeatedly encountering physical obstacles.
Whether or not this explanation is historically exact, modern speakers understand the phrase as referring to progress that is difficult and constantly interrupted.
The alliteration and rhyme have helped preserve the expression over the centuries.
The expression often conveys perseverance.
Something that advances a trancas y barrancas is not progressing smoothly, but it is progressing.
For that reason, the idiom frequently implies determination despite adversity rather than complete failure.
Spanish has several expressions describing difficult progress:
- A trancas y barrancas → by fits and starts.
- A duras penas → with great difficulty.
- Poco a poco → little by little.
- Paso a paso → step by step.
Among them, a trancas y barrancas is the most vivid because it suggests a journey repeatedly interrupted by obstacles, yet one that nevertheless continues towards its destination.
Do not translate the expression literally.
English speakers would never say:
With bars and ravines.
Instead, use expressions such as:
- by fits and starts
- with great difficulty
- slowly but surely
- with many setbacks
- haltingly
Choose the translation according to whether the emphasis is on slowness, interruption or perseverance.
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