Tomar las de Villadiego
To take the road to Villadiego.
to make a quick getaway; **to make a quick getaway**; **to beat a hasty retreat**; **to make oneself scarce**; **to clear off** (informal); **to run for it**
Tomar las de Villadiego means to leave quickly, usually to escape from an unpleasant, embarrassing or dangerous situation. It often implies departing so suddenly that there is little or no explanation.
Cuando llegó la policía, todos tomaron las de Villadiego.
When the police arrived, everyone beat a hasty retreat.
Después de aquella respuesta, decidió tomar las de Villadiego.
After that answer, he decided to make himself scarce.
En cuanto empezaron las críticas, tomó las de Villadiego.
As soon as the criticism began, she quietly disappeared.
The idiom may refer to physical escape, but it is equally common in situations involving social discomfort.
Someone may tomar las de Villadiego after an awkward conversation, after losing an argument, after being caught doing something wrong or simply because they want to avoid trouble.
The expression often carries a humorous tone. Rather than accusing someone of cowardice, it frequently describes an almost comical retreat.
In journalism and literature, it is also used metaphorically. A politician may tomar las de Villadiego by resigning unexpectedly. Investors may tomar las de Villadiego when markets become unstable.
- runs away from danger
- leaves to avoid responsibility
- disappears after making a mistake
- exits an awkward situation very quickly
- abandons a discussion without explanation
The most widely accepted explanation is connected with the town of Villadiego, in the Spanish province of Burgos.
According to tradition, during the Middle Ages certain persecuted groups—including, according to some versions, Jews seeking protection—could find refuge there under special legal privileges granted by local authorities.
Another theory links the expression to a particular type of cloak supposedly associated with the town, making tomar las de Villadiego equivalent to putting on one's cloak and leaving quickly.
What is certain is that by the Golden Age of Spanish literature, the expression already meant "to leave in a hurry."
Many Spaniards know the expression but have never heard of the town that gave it its name.
This is common with very old idioms: the historical reference gradually disappears while the figurative meaning remains perfectly alive.
Today the expression is often used humorously between friends.
If someone suddenly leaves a party without saying goodbye, another guest may jokingly comment:
"Ha tomado las de Villadiego."
The phrase sounds much more colourful than simply saying "se fue."
This is one of the relatively few Spanish idioms that preserves the name of a real place.
Ironically, millions of Spanish speakers use the expression every year without knowing that Villadiego is an actual town in the province of Burgos—or that its exact connection with the idiom remains something of a historical mystery.
Do not attempt a literal translation.
An English speaker would have no reason to associate Villadiego with leaving quickly.
Instead, choose an equivalent based on the situation.
If the emphasis is escaping danger, to beat a hasty retreat is usually ideal.
If the situation is lighter and more humorous, to make oneself scarce often captures the same tone.
Because the historical reference is unfamiliar even to many Spaniards, learners should simply memorise the figurative meaning without worrying too much about the town itself.
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