Meterse a alguien en el bolsillo
To put someone into one's pocket.
to win someone over; **to win someone over**; **to get someone on your side**; **to charm someone**; **to win someone's confidence**; **to have someone wrapped around your little finger** (when influence is especially strong)
Meterse a alguien en el bolsillo means to win someone over, to win someone's confidence, to get someone on your side, to charm someone, or to have someone wrapped around your little finger (depending on the context).
En cinco minutos se metió al público en el bolsillo.
Within five minutes, he had won the audience over.
Siempre consigue meterse a todo el mundo en el bolsillo.
She always manages to win everyone over.
Se metió al jefe en el bolsillo desde el primer día.
He won the boss over on his very first day.
Con su simpatía se metió a los clientes en el bolsillo.
His friendliness quickly won the customers over.
It refers to gaining another person's sympathy, trust or support.
- charms an audience
- quickly becomes popular
- earns another person's trust
- persuades someone with ease
- wins over difficult or sceptical people
The metaphor is self-explanatory, which is exactly why it caught on.
The metaphor probably comes from the idea of keeping something valuable or close at hand inside one's pocket.
Someone who has metido a otra persona en el bolsillo enjoys such influence over them that they seem almost "within reach" at all times.
Over the centuries, the image evolved into a figurative way of describing exceptional powers of persuasion or charm.
The expression is usually complimentary.
It often praises charisma, friendliness or persuasive ability.
However, in some contexts it may suggest manipulation, especially when the influence is obtained through flattery rather than genuine merit.
The surrounding context normally makes the intended nuance clear.
Spanish has several expressions for gaining influence over others:
- Meterse a alguien en el bolsillo → to win someone over.
- Ganarse a alguien → to win someone's trust or affection.
- Caer bien → to make a good impression.
- Tener a alguien comiendo de la mano → to have someone eating out of your hand.
Among them, meterse a alguien en el bolsillo is the most vivid, emphasising how completely someone has been won over by another person's charm, personality or persuasive ability.
Do not translate the expression literally.
English speakers would never say:
He put the audience in his pocket.
Instead, use expressions such as:
- He won the audience over.
- She charmed everyone.
- He got them on his side.
- She's got him wrapped around her little finger. (when influence is especially strong)
Choose the translation according to the context.
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