Like a mouse to cheese: people who circle the offer, angle for favors, and rarely refill the favor bank. Mind what you hand out.

God makes them, then they find each other: street shorthand for birds of a feather, often with a skeptical wink.

Packed tighter than sardines in a tin: Venezuelan shorthand for no room left to move.

No seas jala bolas. A blunt Venezuelan warning against bootlicking and curry favor games.

Se juntaron los mochos pa’ rascarse! When the usual suspects meet, the shared vice is the plan.

Vas a ver al diablo bailando en tanga. When it goes spectacularly wrong, you brace for the total circus.

Con más hambre que un piojo en un peluche. When you’re starving, you reach for an absurd image to say it.

Te va a pisar una rueda de tomate. A warning for a minor, absurd mishap, or a quiet gotcha when your trick gets spotted.

Ecolecúa! A Venezuelan aha moment, when the reveal lands and it finally clicks.

Más prendido que tabaco de brujo. When you’re on fire, you are buzzing with a heat that will not quit.