Invisible Spanish501 essential idioms, explained

Hacer buenas migas

/a·ˈθeɾ ˈβwe·nas ˈmi·ɣas/

To make good breadcrumbs.

Frequency
ConversationVery common
JournalismCommon
LiteraryOccasional
AcademicRare
In English

to hit it off; **to hit it off**; **to get along well**; **to get on well**; **to click**; **to get on like a house on fire** (especially British English)

Meaning

Hacer buenas migas means to get along well, hit it off or develop an easy and friendly relationship.

Examples

Hicimos muy buenas migas desde el primer día.

We hit it off from the very first day.

Los dos hicieron buenas migas enseguida.

The two of them got along well straight away.

Mi hijo hizo buenas migas con sus nuevos compañeros.

My son quickly became friends with his new classmates.

Parece que han hecho muy buenas migas.

They seem to have really clicked.

It usually refers to people who connect naturally from the very beginning.

Used when
  • two people become friends quickly
  • colleagues work together easily
  • children immediately start playing together
  • family members get along well
  • people discover they have many things in common
Origin

It is closely linked to the cultural importance of bread and shared meals.

Las migas, a traditional Spanish dish prepared from breadcrumbs, have long been associated with eating together and enjoying good company.

Over time, hacer buenas migas came to symbolise the ease and harmony of people who enjoy each other's company.

Cultural note

The expression usually refers to mutual affection or compatibility.

Unlike expressions about friendship that develop over time, hacer buenas migas often emphasises an immediate connection.

It is frequently used after first meetings.

Did you know?

Bread appears in many positive Spanish expressions:

  • Hacer buenas migas → to hit it off.
  • Ser un trozo de pan → to have a heart of gold.
  • Ganarse el pan → to earn one's living.
  • Nacer con un pan bajo el brazo → to bring good fortune from birth.

Among them, hacer buenas migas is unique because it links bread not with survival or generosity, but with friendship and human connection.

For English speakers

Do not translate the expression literally.

English speakers would never say:

We made good breadcrumbs.

Instead, use expressions such as:

  • We hit it off.
  • We got along really well.
  • They clicked immediately.
  • They got on like a house on fire.

Choose the translation according to the context and level of enthusiasm.

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