In Spanish “punto” is generally defined as dot, spot, speckle, point in time or a location. However, it is also used in a variety of idiomatic expressions. Don’t confuse the word “punto” word with “punta” which is a tip or point of an object.

Also don’t mix up the terms above with “puto” or “puta”. In Costa Rica the former is a promiscuous male and the latter is a “whore.” But in Mexico “puto” refers to a male homosexual.

Expressions with punto:
A la hora en punto – sharp or on the dot (time). José llegó a las seis en punto. Joe came at six on the dot.
Dos puntos – colon
Estar a punto de – to be at the point of. La sopa está a punto de hervir. The soup is at the point of boiling.
Ganar puntos – to earn points (literally of figuratively)
Hasta cierto punto – up to a certain point. Me gusta hasta cierto punto. I like it up to a point.
Hasta tal punto que – to the extent that. El niño me molestaba hasta tal punto que no tuve más remedio que regañarle. The child bothered me to the extent that I had no other choice but to scold him.
Poner los puntos sobre las ies – to dot the I’s and cross the t’s or get things straight or clear.
Por puntos – by points. El examen es por puntos. The test is by points.
Punto de vista – point of view or opinion
Punto débil or flaco – a person’s weak point.
Punto y aparte – new paragraph
Punto y coma – semicolon
Puntos – stitches in clothing or sutures
Puntos a su favor –points in your favor (literally and figuratively)
Puntos en su contra – points against you (literally and figuratively)
Puntos suspensivos – a series of dots or suspension points….

Tiquismo (Costa Rican expressions):
El talón de Aquiles – Achilles tendon or weak point. It is a synonym for punto débil or punto flaco above.
Ese no es el punto – That’s not the point
Estar en punto muerto – a deadlock or stalemate. Las negociaciones están en punto muerto – There is a stalemate in the talks.
Ser punto y aparte – to not agree or oppose. Estar en contra de is a synonym.