Dar el pelotazo
To hit the big shot.
to strike it rich; **to strike it rich**; **to hit the jackpot**; **to make a killing**; **to make a fortune**; **to cash in**
Dar el pelotazo means to make a fortune quickly, strike it rich or achieve an enormous financial success, often through a single business deal or investment.
Dio el pelotazo vendiendo la empresa.
He struck it rich by selling the company.
Todos quieren dar el pelotazo con las criptomonedas.
Everyone wants to hit the jackpot with cryptocurrencies.
Pegó el pelotazo con aquella aplicación.
She made a fortune with that app.
Nadie esperaba que diera el pelotazo tan joven.
Nobody expected him to become so wealthy at such a young age.
Depending on the context, it may also suggest opportunism or questionable business practices.
- becomes rich very quickly
- makes an exceptionally profitable investment
- sells a company for a huge amount of money
- earns a fortune through one successful deal
- unexpectedly becomes financially successful
The figurative meaning developed from pelotazo, a forceful impact.
Just as a powerful blow has an immediate effect, a successful business deal can suddenly transform a person's financial situation.
The expression became especially popular in Spain during the real estate boom of the 1980s and 1990s, when rapid fortunes were often associated with speculative investments.
The expression is not always complimentary.
Depending on the context, dar el pelotazo may imply:
- luck,
- clever business,
- speculation,
- or even ethically questionable enrichment.
For this reason, journalists often use it when discussing politics, property development or financial scandals.
Spanish has several expressions for financial success:
- Dar el pelotazo → to strike it rich.
- Forrarse → to become very rich.
- Hacer el agosto → to make a lot of money during a favourable period.
- Dar en el clavo → to get something exactly right (not specifically financial).
Among them, dar el pelotazo most strongly conveys the idea of a sudden, spectacular financial breakthrough that changes a person's fortunes almost overnight.
Do not translate the expression literally.
English speakers would never say:
He hit the big shot.
Instead, use expressions such as:
- He struck it rich.
- She made a fortune.
- They hit the jackpot.
- He made a killing.
Choose the translation according to whether the emphasis is on luck, investment or business success.
There are five hundred more.
The complete collection — no ads, on paper or Kindle.
Get the book on Amazon