The verb echar besides having several different meanings it is used in a lot of fixed phrases that change its meaning.
Today I am going to teach you some expressions, or Spanish phrases that use the verb “echar”.
So if you are ready, let’s dive in.
Spanish phrases with the verb “echar”
1-echar un vistazo/echar un ojo
To have a look, to look at something in a superficial way, not very in detail.
He encontrado este artículo y quiero que le eches un vistazo para que me des tu opinión- I have found this article and I want you to have a look because I would like your opinion.
2-echar de menos
We can also say extrañar, and it means to miss someone or something.
La cosa que más echo de menos de España además de mi familia es la comida._The thing I miss the most about Spain, as well as my family is the food.
3-Echar a perder
To destroy, to ruin, to spoil.
La sopa estaba buenísima, pero puse demasiada sal y la eche a perder._The soup was very good, but I added too much salt and I ruined it.
4-echar una mano
To help, to give a hand.
Cuando te mudas estoy segura de que pides a tus amigos que te echen una mano. When you move houses I am sure you ask your friends to give you a hand
5-echar una cabezada
To have a small sleep, to have a siesta.
Estoy muy cansada, así que voy a echar una cabezada antes de quedar con mis amigas.-I am very tires, so I am going to have a nap before meeting my friends.
6-echar la culpa.
To blame someone.
Cuando era pequeña y hacía algo mal siempre echaba la culpa a mi hermana.-When I was a kid and I did something wrong I always blamed my sister.
7-echar en cara
To reproach.
Durante su discusión Emilia echó muchas cosas en cara a su novio-During their argument Emiliia reproached a lot of things to her boyfriend.
8-echar a suertes
Cast to luck.
If you are playing a game, it is normal echar a suertes quien es el primero-cast to luck who goes first.
9-echar chispas
To be angry/furious.
Es mejor que no hables hoy con el jefe, ha tenido una reunión y está que echa chispas-It is better if you don’t talk to the boss today, he has had a meeting and he is furious.
10-echar por tierra
Similar to echar a perder.
To wreck.
José quería ser piloto, pero un problema con su vista echó por tierra sus planes-José wanted to be a pilot, but a eyesight problem wrecked his plans.
11-Echar leña al fuego
To add fuel to the fire.
Es mejor que no hables de ese tema, la situación es complicada y es mejor no echar más leña al fuego-It is better if you don’t talk about that subject, the situaction is complicated and it is better not o add fuel to the fire.
12-echar un sermón
To tell someone off, to give them a speech.
Mi madre siempre me echaba sermones cuando no ordenaba mi habitación-My mother used to tell me off when I did not tidy up my room.
Ok, almost there just two more, and in these two we use the verb echar as reflexive.
-echarse atrás
To back off
Teníamos planes para hacer puénting, pero al final me eché atrás-We had plan to do bungee jumping but at the end I backed off.
-echarse encima
It has a few meanings
a)to get closer.
Necesito terminar la tarea para mi proyecto porque la fecha de entrega se me está echando encima-I need to finish my task for my Project because the deadline it is getting closer.
b)To jump on, it can be literally, but most of the times we use it as a figurative thing.
Espero que Marcos no haga un error, o los empleados se le van a echar encima-I hope Marcos does not make a mistake or his employees are going to come down hard on him.
That is it! 12 (+2) expressions that use the verb “echar”.
Remember that you can watch this lesson on video on my YouTube channel, the video is in Spanish, so now you know what the lesson is about it might be a good way to practice your listening skills. Have a look here:
And lastly leave a comment and let me know:
-if you knew these expressions with echar,
-if you know any other expressions with the verb “echar” in Spanish,
And don’t forget to write a comment with a sentence using one of the expressions we have learnt today.
Have a good day and….
I will talk to you next time!
Blanca-x
