casual
¡Pilas!
Pay attention / Be careful / Stay sharp
PEE-lahs
What does it mean?
"¡Pilas!" literally means "batteries!" but in Colombia it means "pay attention!", "be careful!", or "stay sharp!". It's one of the most useful and distinctly Colombian expressions. "Ponte pilas" means "get it together" or "step it up".
How to use it
Use to warn someone to be careful or pay attention. Also used to encourage someone to step up their game.
Example sentences
Pay attention!
¡Pilas!
Be careful with that.
Pilas con eso.
Step it up!
¡Ponte pilas!
Related phrases
More everyday phrases
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