Tener tela marinera

that's no small matter; **that's no small matter**; **that's quite something**; **that's a serious issue**; **that's a big deal**; **that's something else** (depending on context)

Tener tela marinera means to be much more serious, complicated, surprising or difficult than it first appears.

The expression often introduces a situation that deserves special attention.

It usually carries a sense of:

"This is a bigger deal than you think."

• a problem turns out to be very complicated
• someone behaves in an astonishing way
• a situation is unexpectedly serious
• an issue has many hidden difficulties
• something deserves emphasis because of its magnitude

Tela marinera was the heavy-duty canvas traditionally used to make ships' sails.

Because sailcloth had to withstand wind, salt and constant wear, it became associated with toughness and resistance.

Over time, Spanish speakers began using tener tela marinera metaphorically to describe situations requiring unusual strength, effort or attention.

Although the nautical origin is now largely forgotten, the expression remains extremely popular.

The expression is highly flexible.

Depending on the context, it may refer to:

• a difficult task;
• an outrageous action;
• an extraordinary event;
• a surprisingly serious problem.

Native speakers often use it without specifying exactly why something is remarkable, trusting that the listener will understand from the context.

Spanish preserves many everyday expressions that originated at sea.

While most speakers have never handled a sailing ship, they still say:

Tiene tela marinera.

without realising that the expression originally referred to the heavy canvas used for making sails.

The maritime image has survived long after its practical meaning disappeared.

Do not translate the expression literally.

English speakers would never say:

It has sailors' cloth.

Instead, translate the intended meaning:

• That's a big deal.
• That's no small matter.
• That's quite something.
• That's really serious.

The nautical metaphor exists only in Spanish.