How to Say “Gold or Lead” in Spanish

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plata o plomo
/plata o plomo/from spelling rules
The phrase plata o plomo is the Spanish way to say "gold or lead".
An ultimatum used to demand a bribe in exchange for not killing the person.

What does it mean word for word?

The word plomo literally means the metal lead.

How do you pronounce it?

/plata o plomo/

Did you know?

  • The word plomo is a direct descendant of the Latin 'plumbum'. This is the same root used in the English word 'plumber', because early plumbers worked with lead pipes.
  • The metal lead, plomo, was historically mined in Almería, a region in Andalusia.

Examples in context

  • Tienes que elegir: plata o plomo.
    You have to choose: silver or lead.
  • La decisión es simple: plata o plomo.
    The decision is simple: silver or lead.
  • Solo te doy una oportunidad, plata o plomo.
    I am only giving you one chance, silver or lead.

Example conversation

A corrupt official is threatened by a criminal.

  1. Elena

    Javier, acepta el dinero o habrá consecuencias.
    Javier, accept the money or there will be consequences.
  2. Javier

    No puedo aceptar un soborno, Elena.
    I cannot accept a bribe, Elena.
  3. Elena

    Entonces es simple: plata o plomo.
    Then it is simple: silver or lead.
  4. Javier

    Está bien, acepto el dinero.
    All right, I accept the money.

Sources

  • IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
  • Word origins: Wiktionary entries o, plata, plata o plomo, plomo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Lindsey Miriam
Lindsey MiriamHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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