echar

v.

1 to throw.

echar algo a la basura to throw something in the bin

Ella echa la basura She throws the garbage.

2 to put.

echa esos pantalones a la lavadora put those trousers in the washing machine

3 to pour (añadir) (vino, agua).

échame más zumo, por favor (sal, azúcar) could you pour me some more juice, please?

4 to give (decir) (discurso).

5 to post(postcard, letter).

echar algo al correo to put something in the post, to post something , to mail something (United States)

6 to give off, to emit (humo, vapor, chispas).

está que echa humo (informal figurative) she's fuming

El silenciador echa gases tóxicos The muffler emits toxic gases.

7 to sprout, to shoot (hojas, flores).

Mi mata de café echó hojitas My coffee plant sprouted leaves.

8 to lie (down).

9 to tell (buenaventura).

echar las cartas (a alguien) to read somebody's fortune (in cards)

10 to fire, to turn out, to dismiss.

La empresa echó a los empleados The company fired the employees.

11 to put in, to add in, to pour, to pour in.

Ella le echó agua al balde She put water in the pail.

12 to cast out, to throw out, to ditch, to drop.

María echó al borracho Mary cast out the wino.

13 to blame, to attribute.

Le echó la culpa a Ricardo He attributed the blame to Ricardo.

14 to blurt out.

Nos echó una andanada de insultos He blurted out insults on us.

* * *

echar

► verbo transitivo

1 (lanzar) to throw

■ echar monedas en la fuente to throw coins in the fountain

2 (dejar caer) to put, drop

3 (líquido) to pour; (comida) to give; (sal) to add, put in

4 (carta) to post, US mail

5 (expulsar) to throw out

■ lo han echado del cine he was thrown out of the cinema

6 (despedir de empleo) to sack, dismiss, fire

■ me han echado I've been sacked

7 (brotar, salir - plantas) to sprout; (- dientes) to cut; (- pelo) to grow

8 (decir) to tell

9 (emanar) to give out, give off

■ la caja de fusibles echa chispas sparks are coming out of the fuse box

10 (suponer, calcular) to guess

■ yo le echo 40 I think she's 40

11 (poner, aplicar) to put on, apply

12 (llave) to lock, turn; (cerrojo) to bolt, fasten

■ echa la llave lock the door, lock it

■ echa el cerrojo bolt the door, fasten the bolt

13 (multas, tributos) to give, impose

14 (en naipes) to deal

15 familiar (en el cine, teatro) to show, put on

■ echan una buena película en la tele there's a good film on TV

► verbo intransitivo

1 echar a + inf (empezar) to begin to

■ echó a andar he began to walk

■ echó a correr she ran off

2 echar de + inf (dar)

■ echar de comer to feed

3 echar por (seguir, ir) to take, follow

■ echó por la izquierda he went left

► verbo pronominal echarse

1 (arrojarse) to throw oneself

2 (tenderse) to lie down

■ me voy a echar un rato I'm going to lie down for a bit

3 (ponerse) to put on

4 (novio, novia) to get oneself

5 echarse a + inf (empezar) to begin to

■ se echó a reír he burst out laughing

\

FRASEOLOGÍA

echar a cara o cruz to toss for

echar a un lado to push aside

echar a perder to spoil

echar a suertes to draw lots

echar abajo→ {{link=echar}}echar por tierra

echar algo a suertes figurado to draw lots for something

echar barriga / echar carnes to put on weight

echar cuentas to calculate

echar de menos / echar en falta to miss

■ la echa de menos he misses her

echar el freno to put the brake on

echar en cara to blame

echar la buenaventura to tell somebody's fortune

echar la casa por la ventana figurado to spare no expense, splash out

echar las bases de to lay the foundations for

echar leña al fuego figurado to add fuel to the fire

echar maldiciones to curse

echar mano a algo to reach for something

echar mano de to make use of

echar pelillos a la mar figurado to bury the hatchet

echar por tierra (edificio) to demolish 2 (reputación etc) to ruin

echar un cigarrillo to smoke a cigarette

echar una mano to give a hand

echar una mirada / echar una ojeada to have a look, have a quick look

echar una parrafada to have a chat

echar una partida to play a game

echar una regañina a alguien / echar un sermón a alguien to tell somebody off

echar una siesta to have a siesta

echarse a perder (alimentos) to go bad 2 (personas) to go downhill

echarse a un lado to move to one side

echarse atrás (inclinarse) to lean back 2 (repensárselo) to have second thoughts, get cold feet

echárselas de familiar to claim to be

■ se las echa de valiente he claims to be brave

* * *

verb

1) to throw, throw out

2) fire, dismiss

3) put forth

4) add

5) launch

6) put

•

- echar a perder

- echar de menos
- echarse

* * *

Para las expresiones echar abajo, echar en cara, echar la culpa, echar en falta, echar de menos, echar a perder, echar raíces, echar a suertes, ver la otra entrada.

1. VERBO TRANSITIVO

1) (=tirar) [+ pelota, piedra, dados] to throw; [+ basura] to throw away; [+ ancla, red] to cast; [+ moneda al aire] to toss; [+ mirada] to cast, give; [+ naipe] to deal

échame las llaves — throw me the keys

échalo a la basura — throw it away

¿qué te han echado los Reyes? — ≈ what did you get for Christmas?

- echarlas

2) (=poner) to put

echar carbón a la lumbre — to put coal on the fire

he echado otra manta en la cama — I've put another blanket on the bed

¿te echo mantequilla en el pan? — shall I put some butter on your bread?

échale un poco de azúcar a la mezcla — add a little sugar to the mixture

• tengo que echar [gasolina] — I need to fill up (with petrol)

leña 1)

3) (=verter) to pour

echó un poco de vino en un vaso — he poured some wine into a glass

echar cera en un molde — to pour wax into a mould

4) (=servir) [+ bebida] to pour; [+ comida] to give

échame agua — could you give {o} pour me some water?

¿te echo más whisky? — shall I pour you some more whisky?

no me eches tanto — don't give me so much

• tengo que echar de [comer] a los animales — I have to feed the animals

lo que le echen —

resiste lo que le echen — she can take whatever they throw at her

5) (=dejar salir)

la chimenea echa humo — smoke is coming out of the chimney

¡qué peste echan tus zapatos! — * your shoes stink to high heaven! *

chispa 1., 1), espuma 1), hostia 6), leche 9), peste 3), sangre 1)

6) (=expulsar) [de casa, bar, tienda, club] to throw out; [del trabajo] to fire *, sack *; [de colegio] to expel

cuando protesté me echaron — when I protested they threw me out

me echó de su casa — he threw me out of his house

lo han echado del colegio — he's been expelled from school

la echaron del trabajo — she's been fired {o} sacked *

echar algo de sí — to get rid of sth, throw sth off

7) (=producir) [+ dientes] to cut; [+ hojas] to sprout

está empezando a echar barriga — he's starting to get a bit of a belly {o} paunch

¡vaya mal genio que has echado últimamente! — you've become {o} got really bad-tempered recently!

8) (=cerrar)

echar la llave/el cerrojo — to lock/bolt the door

echar el freno — to brake

echa la persiana — can you draw the blinds?

9) (=mover)

a) [+ parte del cuerpo]

echar la cabeza a un lado — to tilt {o} cock one's head to one side

echar el cuerpo hacia atrás — to lean back

b) (=empujando) to push

echar a algn a un lado — to push sb aside

echar atrás a la multitud — to push the crowd back

10) (=enviar) [+ carta] to post, mail (EEUU)

eché la carta en el buzón — I posted the letter

¿dónde puedo echar esta postal? — where can I post this postcard?

11) (=calcular) to reckon

¿cuántos kilos le echas? — how much do you think {o} reckon she weighs?

¿cuántos años le echas? — how old do you think {o} reckon he is?

échale una hora andando — you can reckon on it taking you an hour if you walk

12) (=dar) [+ discurso] to give, make

echar maldiciones — to curse

echar una reprimenda a algn — to tick sb off, give sb a ticking-off

he ido a que me echen las cartas — I've had my cards read

13) [con sustantivos que implican acciones] [+ trago, partida] to have

¿echamos un café? — shall we have a coffee?

salió al balcón a echar un cigarrillo — he went out onto the balcony for a smoke {o} cigarette

echar una multa a algn — to fine sb, give sb a fine

polvo 5), vistazo

14) [+ tiempo]

hay que echarle muchas horas — it takes a long time

de jóvenes nos echábamos nuestros buenos ratos de charla — we used to spend a lot of time talking when we were younger

esta semana he echado cuatro horas extras — I did four hours overtime this week

15) * [en cine, televisión] to show

echaron un programa sobre Einstein — there was a programme about Einstein on, they showed a programme about Einstein

¿qué echan en el cine? — what's on at the cinema?

16) [+ cimientos] to lay

17) (Zool) [para procrear]

ha echado a su perra con un pastor alemán — he has mated his bitch with a German shepherd

18) Caribe, Cono Sur (=azuzar) [+ animal] to urge on

2.

VERBO INTRANSITIVO (=tirar)

• ¡echa [para] adelante! — lead on!

ahora tienes que echar para adelante y olvidarte del pasado — you need to get on with your life and forget about the past

es un olor que echa para atrás — * it's a smell that really knocks you back *

echa para allá — move up

• echar [por] una calle — to go down a street

echemos por aquí — let's go this way

echar a ({+ infin})

echar a correr — to break into a run, start running

echar a reír — to burst out laughing, start laughing

3.

See:

echarse

* * *

1.

verbo transitivo

Sentido I

1)

a) (lanzar, tirar) to throw

lo eché a la basura — I threw it out o away

echó la moneda al aire — he tossed the coin

echaron el ancla/la red — they cast anchor/their net

echó la cabeza hacia atrás — she threw her head back

le echó los brazos al cuello — she threw her arms around his neck

echar a alguien a perder — to spoil somebody

echar algo a perder — to ruin something

echar de menos algo/a alguien — to miss something/somebody

b) (soltar)

les echaron los perros — they set the dogs on them

c) (Jueg) <carta> to play, put down

echarle las cartas a alguien — to read somebody's cards

2) (expulsar) <persona> (de trabajo) to fire (colloq), to sack (BrE colloq); (de bar, teatro) to throw ... out; (de colegio) to expel

me echó de casa — he threw me out (of the house)

3) <carta> to mail (AmE), to post (BrE)

4)

a) (pasar, correr) <cortinas> to pull, draw

échale (la) llave — lock it

la persiana estaba echada — the blinds were down

¿echaste el cerrojo? — did you bolt the door?

b) (mover)

lo echó para atrás — she pushed (o moved etc) it backward(s)

5) (expeler, despedir) <olor, humo, chispas> to give off

echaba espuma por la boca — he was foaming at the mouth

6) (producir)

a) <hojas> to sprout

ya está echando flores — it's flowering already

b) <dientes> to cut

estás echando barriga — (fam) you're getting a bit of a tummy (colloq)

Sentido II

7)

a) (poner) <leña/carbón> to put; <gasolina> to put in

¿le echas azúcar al café? — do you take sugar in your coffee?

échale valor y díselo — (fam) just pluck up your courage and tell him

b) (servir, dar) to give

¿te echo más salsa? — do you want some more sauce?

echar de comer a los cerdos — to feed the pigs

8)

a) (decir, dirigir) <sermón/discurso> (+ me/te/le etc)

me echó un sermón — (fam) he gave me a real talking-to (colloq)

le echó una maldición — she put a curse on him

b) (fam) (imponer) <condena/multa> (+ me/te/le etc) to give

le echaron una multa — he got a fine, they gave him a fine

me echaron dos años — I got two years (colloq)

9) (fam) (calcular) (+ me/te/le etc)

¿cuántos años me echas? — how old do you think I am?

de aquí a tu casa échale una hora — it's o it takes about an hour from here to your house

10) (Esp fam) (dar, exhibir) <programa/película> to show

¿qué echan en la tele? — what's on TV?

Sentido III

11) <cigarillo/trago> to have

echar una firma — to sign

echar el freno — to put the brake on

me echó una mirada furibunda — she gave me a furious look

echarle la culpa a alguien — to put o lay the blame on somebody

Sentido IV

12)

echar abajo — <edificio> to pull down; <gobierno> to bring down; <proyecto> to destroy; <esperanzas> to dash; <moral> to undermine

echaron la puerta abajo — they broke the door down

2.

echar vi

1) (empezar)

echar a + inf — to start o begin to + inf, start o begin -ing

echó a correr — he started to run o started running

las palomas echaron a volar — the doves flew off

2) (dirigirse)

echó calle abajo — she went off down the street

echa por aquí — go down here

3)

echar para adelante or (fam) p'alante: echa para adelante un poco go forward a little; echa p'alante, que ya llegamos — keep going, we're nearly there

3.

1) echarse v pron

Sentido I

2)

a) (tirarse, arrojarse) to throw oneself

me eché al suelo — I threw myself to the ground

echarse de cabeza al agua — to dive into the water

échate hacia atrás — lean back

la noche se nos echó encima — night fell suddenly

echarse a perder — comida to go bad, go off (BrE); cosecha/proyecto/plan to be ruined

b) (tumbarse, acostarse) to lie down

c) (apartarse, moverse) (+ compl)

se echó a un lado — she moved to one side

échate un poco para allá — move over that way a bit

echarse atrás — to back out

echárselas — (Chi fam)

se las echó — he upped and left (colloq)

echárselas de algo — (fam)

se las echa de culto — he likes to think he's cultured

d) aves to brood

3)

a) (ponerse) to put on

echarse crema — to put cream on

se echó el abrigo por los hombros — she put the coat around her shoulders

b) (Esp fam) <novio/novia>

se ha echado novia — he's found o got himself a girlfriend

c) (Méx fam) (beberse) to drink

4) (expulsar)

echarse un pedo — to fart (colloq)

5) (Méx fam) (romper) to break

echarse a alguien — (Méx fam) to bump somebody off (colloq)

6) (Col fam) (tardar) <horas/días> to take

Sentido II

7) (empezar) echar 1)

* * *

= throw, pour (in/into), toss, sack, give + Nombre + the boot, boot (out), give + Nombre + the sack, send + Nombre + packing, turf out, give off, billow out, spout.

Ex. The point to be made for the novice abstractor is that editors are not ghouls who must be thrown raw meat before a check is issued.

Ex. The water of the stuff poured into the middle of the cylinder through its wire-mesh cover, and was immediately pumped out from one end leaving a film of fibres on the surface.

Ex. Everything being online, the exquisite oaken cabinets housing the card files were tossed.

Ex. The author warns that shortsighted companies that believe all the information they need is on the Web may sack information professionals.

Ex. He was given the boot for being discovered with a camera taking a photo of hula dancers.

Ex. As Hartwick got older, the feds decided he was a major security risk and booted him out of the program.

Ex. Justin pointed out that the government would not compromise and those found protecting illegal immigrants would be given the sack.

Ex. Those who hold this view argued that the state government lacks the political will to send them packing for good.

Ex. You will be disliked and turfed out as a sacrificial goat once your job is done but there will be many others queuing up for your services.

Ex. Once the fronds have given off their spores, they die and can be cut back.

Ex. Nearly everyone has seen a factory's smokestack billowing out black sooty smoke that dirties the air and blackens buildings.

Ex. The weather cleared enough that we could get in to the volcanic islands (still spouting plumes of smoke) by copter in safety.

----

* culpa + echar a + Nombre = blame + lay + at the feet of + Nombre.

* echando hostias = like the clappers.

* echando mecha = like the clappers.

* echar a Alguien de un Lugar = send + Nombre + on + Posesivo + way.

* echar a andar = implement, leg it.

* echar abajo = knock down.

* echar a correr = bolt, make + a bolt for, take off + running, take to + Posesivo + heels, run off.

* echar a la calle = evict, throw + Nombre + out.

* echar Algo por tierra = blow + Nombre + out of the water.

* echar amarras = moor.

* echar anclas = drop + anchor.

* echar a perder = ruin, bungle, bring out + the worst in, cast + a blight on, blight, go off.

* echar a pique = scuttle.

* echar a suerte = draw + lots.

* echar a un lado = push aside.

* echar a volar = take + flight.

* echar brotes = bud, sprout.

* echar chispas = fume, froth at + the mouth.

* echar chispas por los ojos = glower, scowl (at).

* echar coraje = pluck up + courage, gather up + courage.

* echar de menos = miss.

* echar dentro de = throw into.

* echar el ancla = drop + anchor.

* echar el candado = padlock.

* echar en cara = fault.

* echar espuma por la boca = froth at + the mouth.

* echar espumarajos por la boca = froth at + the mouth.

* echar fuera = throw + Nombre + out.

* echar gasolina = pump + gas.

* echar hojas = leaf out.

* echar humo = blow + smoke, fume, steam, smoulder [smolder, -USA], froth at + the mouth.

* echar humo por las orejas = go + berserk, go + postal, work up + a lather.

* echar la bola a rodar = get + the ball rolling, set + the ball rolling, start + the ball rolling.

* echar la culpa = place + blame, fault.

* echarle el ojo a = eye.

* echarle la culpa a = put + the blame on.

* echar leña al fuego = pour + oil on the flames.

* echarle una mano a = bat for, go to + bat for.

* echar los dientes = cut + Posesivo + teeth.

* echar los postigos = shutter.

* echarlo todo a perder = upset + the applecart.

* echarlo todo a rodar = upset + the applecart.

* echarlo todo por tierra = upset + the applecart.

* echar mano a/de = leverage.

* echar mano a los ahorros = dip into + savings.

* echar mano de = fall back on, call into + play.

* echar marcha atrás = do + an about-face, back out, back up.

* echar muchas horas al día = work + long hours.

* echar muchísimo de menos = be sorely missed, be sadly missed.

* echar muchísimo en falta = be sorely missed, be sadly missed.

* echar mucho de menos = be sorely missed, be sadly missed.

* echar mucho en falta = be sorely missed, be sadly missed.

* echar poco a poco = dribble.

* echar por alto = bungle.

* echar por encima = top with.

* echar por la borda = go by + the board, jettison.

* echar por tierra = scupper, blight, cast + a blight on.

* echar por tierra las ilusiones = shatter + Posesivo + hopes.

* echar por tierra los planes de Alguien = spike + Posesivo + guns.

* echar por tierra una idea = crush + idea.

* echar + Posesivo + planes a perder = upset + Posesivo + plans, ruin + Posesivo + plans.

* echar raíces = settle down, root.

* echar sal = salt.

* echar sal en la herida = add + salt to injury, add + salt to the wound, add + insult to injury, rub + salt in the wound.

* echarse = stretch out, lie down.

* echarse a la calle = take to + the road, take to + the streets.

* echarse a la calles = spill (out) into + the streets.

* echarse a temblar con sólo pensar en = shudder at + the thought of.

* echarse atrás = draw back, draw back, chicken out (on/of), back out, get + cold feet, backpedal [back-pedal].

* echarse encima de = bear down on.

* echarse flores = blow + Posesivo + own trumpet.

* écharsele a Uno el día encima = make + hay while the sun shines.

* echarse una cabezada = get + forty winks, get + some shut-eye, snatch + some shut-eye, grab + some shut-eye, snatch + forty winks, grab + forty winks, take + forty winks.

* echarse una cabezadita = get + forty winks, get + some shut-eye, snatch + some shut-eye, grab + some shut-eye, snatch + forty winks, grab + forty winks, take + forty winks.

* echarse una cana al aire = have + a fling.

* echarse una canita al aire = have + a fling.

* echarse una siesta = take + a nap, nap, napping, kip.

* echarse un duelo = duel.

* echarse un pulso = arm wrestling.

* echarse un sueñecito = get + forty winks, get + some shut-eye, snatch + some shut-eye, grab + some shut-eye, snatch + forty winks, grab + forty winks, take + forty winks.

* echarse un trago = tipple.

* echar suertes = draw + lots.

* echar toda la carne en el asador = put + all (of) + Posesivo + eggs in one basket, shoot (for) + the moon, go for + broke.

* echar una bronca = tell + Nombe + off, give + Nombre + a dressing-down, give + Nombre + a telling-off, chew + Nombre + up.

* echar una buena bronca = give + Nombre + a good roasting.

* echar una cana al aire = kick up + Posesivo + heels.

* echar una cana al aire antes de sentar la cabeza = sow + Posesivo + wild oats.

* echar una cana al aire cuando joven = sow + Posesivo + wild oats.

* echar una canica al aire = disport + Reflexivo.

* echar una mano = lend + a (helping) hand, put + Posesivo + shoulder to the wheel, set + Posesivo + shoulder to the wheel, muck in, pitch in.

* echar una mano a Alguien = give + Nombre + a hand.

* echar una meada = take + a leak, have + a leak.

* echar una mirada = take + a look at, take + a peek, peek, have + a look, cast + a glance over, look through, glance at, take + a gander.

* echar una mirada furtiva a = steal + a glance at.

* echar una mirada mortal = look + daggers at.

* echar una ojeada = look through, glance at, peek, take + a peek, take + a look at, take + a gander.

* echar una ojeada a = cast + a glance over.

* echar un cana al aire = one-night stand.

* echar un casquete = fuck, screw, get + laid.

* echar un chorro de = squirt.

* echar un conjuro = cast + a (magic) spell.

* echar un ojo = keep + an eye on, have + a look.

* echar un polvo = fuck, screw, get + laid.

* echar un rapapolvo = tell + Nombe + off, give + Nombre + a dressing-down, give + Nombre + a telling-off, chew + Nombre + up.

* echar un tupido velo sobre = draw + a veil over.

* echar un vistazo = take + a look at, glance at, check out, peek, have + a look, take + a peek, cast + a glance over, look through, browse, peruse, take + a gander.

* echar valor = pluck up + courage, muster (up) + (the) courage, gather up + courage.

* echar vino = pour + wine.

* la suerte estaba echada = the die was cast, the die had been cast.

* la suerte está echada = the die is cast.

* para echar sal en la herida = to add insult to injury, to add salt to injury, to rub salt in the wound.

* planta que echa flores = bloomer.

* salir a echarse un cigarro = go out for + a smoke.

* salir echando leches = bolt, take off, make + a bolt for, dash off, shoot off.

* ser demasiado tarde para echar atrás = reach + the point of no return.

* * *

1.

verbo transitivo

Sentido I

1)

a) (lanzar, tirar) to throw

lo eché a la basura — I threw it out o away

echó la moneda al aire — he tossed the coin

echaron el ancla/la red — they cast anchor/their net

echó la cabeza hacia atrás — she threw her head back

le echó los brazos al cuello — she threw her arms around his neck

echar a alguien a perder — to spoil somebody

echar algo a perder — to ruin something

echar de menos algo/a alguien — to miss something/somebody

b) (soltar)

les echaron los perros — they set the dogs on them

c) (Jueg) <carta> to play, put down

echarle las cartas a alguien — to read somebody's cards

2) (expulsar) <persona> (de trabajo) to fire (colloq), to sack (BrE colloq); (de bar, teatro) to throw ... out; (de colegio) to expel

me echó de casa — he threw me out (of the house)

3) <carta> to mail (AmE), to post (BrE)

4)

a) (pasar, correr) <cortinas> to pull, draw

échale (la) llave — lock it

la persiana estaba echada — the blinds were down

¿echaste el cerrojo? — did you bolt the door?

b) (mover)

lo echó para atrás — she pushed (o moved etc) it backward(s)

5) (expeler, despedir) <olor, humo, chispas> to give off

echaba espuma por la boca — he was foaming at the mouth

6) (producir)

a) <hojas> to sprout

ya está echando flores — it's flowering already

b) <dientes> to cut

estás echando barriga — (fam) you're getting a bit of a tummy (colloq)

Sentido II

7)

a) (poner) <leña/carbón> to put; <gasolina> to put in

¿le echas azúcar al café? — do you take sugar in your coffee?

échale valor y díselo — (fam) just pluck up your courage and tell him

b) (servir, dar) to give

¿te echo más salsa? — do you want some more sauce?

echar de comer a los cerdos — to feed the pigs

8)

a) (decir, dirigir) <sermón/discurso> (+ me/te/le etc)

me echó un sermón — (fam) he gave me a real talking-to (colloq)

le echó una maldición — she put a curse on him

b) (fam) (imponer) <condena/multa> (+ me/te/le etc) to give

le echaron una multa — he got a fine, they gave him a fine

me echaron dos años — I got two years (colloq)

9) (fam) (calcular) (+ me/te/le etc)

¿cuántos años me echas? — how old do you think I am?

de aquí a tu casa échale una hora — it's o it takes about an hour from here to your house

10) (Esp fam) (dar, exhibir) <programa/película> to show

¿qué echan en la tele? — what's on TV?

Sentido III

11) <cigarillo/trago> to have

echar una firma — to sign

echar el freno — to put the brake on

me echó una mirada furibunda — she gave me a furious look

echarle la culpa a alguien — to put o lay the blame on somebody

Sentido IV

12)

echar abajo — <edificio> to pull down; <gobierno> to bring down; <proyecto> to destroy; <esperanzas> to dash; <moral> to undermine

echaron la puerta abajo — they broke the door down

2.

echar vi

1) (empezar)

echar a + inf — to start o begin to + inf, start o begin -ing

echó a correr — he started to run o started running

las palomas echaron a volar — the doves flew off

2) (dirigirse)

echó calle abajo — she went off down the street

echa por aquí — go down here

3)

echar para adelante or (fam) p'alante: echa para adelante un poco go forward a little; echa p'alante, que ya llegamos — keep going, we're nearly there

3.

1) echarse v pron

Sentido I

2)

a) (tirarse, arrojarse) to throw oneself

me eché al suelo — I threw myself to the ground

echarse de cabeza al agua — to dive into the water

échate hacia atrás — lean back

la noche se nos echó encima — night fell suddenly

echarse a perder — comida to go bad, go off (BrE); cosecha/proyecto/plan to be ruined

b) (tumbarse, acostarse) to lie down

c) (apartarse, moverse) (+ compl)

se echó a un lado — she moved to one side

échate un poco para allá — move over that way a bit

echarse atrás — to back out

echárselas — (Chi fam)

se las echó — he upped and left (colloq)

echárselas de algo — (fam)

se las echa de culto — he likes to think he's cultured

d) aves to brood

3)

a) (ponerse) to put on

echarse crema — to put cream on

se echó el abrigo por los hombros — she put the coat around her shoulders

b) (Esp fam) <novio/novia>

se ha echado novia — he's found o got himself a girlfriend

c) (Méx fam) (beberse) to drink

4) (expulsar)

echarse un pedo — to fart (colloq)

5) (Méx fam) (romper) to break

echarse a alguien — (Méx fam) to bump somebody off (colloq)

6) (Col fam) (tardar) <horas/días> to take

Sentido II

7) (empezar) echar 1)

* * *

= throw, pour (in/into), toss, sack, give + Nombre + the boot, boot (out), give + Nombre + the sack, send + Nombre + packing, turf out, give off, billow out, spout.

Ex: The point to be made for the novice abstractor is that editors are not ghouls who must be thrown raw meat before a check is issued.

Ex: The water of the stuff poured into the middle of the cylinder through its wire-mesh cover, and was immediately pumped out from one end leaving a film of fibres on the surface.

Ex: Everything being online, the exquisite oaken cabinets housing the card files were tossed.

Ex: The author warns that shortsighted companies that believe all the information they need is on the Web may sack information professionals.

Ex: He was given the boot for being discovered with a camera taking a photo of hula dancers.

Ex: As Hartwick got older, the feds decided he was a major security risk and booted him out of the program.

Ex: Justin pointed out that the government would not compromise and those found protecting illegal immigrants would be given the sack.

Ex: Those who hold this view argued that the state government lacks the political will to send them packing for good.

Ex: You will be disliked and turfed out as a sacrificial goat once your job is done but there will be many others queuing up for your services.

Ex: Once the fronds have given off their spores, they die and can be cut back.

Ex: Nearly everyone has seen a factory's smokestack billowing out black sooty smoke that dirties the air and blackens buildings.

Ex: The weather cleared enough that we could get in to the volcanic islands (still spouting plumes of smoke) by copter in safety.

* culpa + echar a + Nombre = blame + lay + at the feet of + Nombre.

* echando hostias = like the clappers.

* echando mecha = like the clappers.

* echar a Alguien de un Lugar = send + Nombre + on + Posesivo + way.

* echar a andar = implement, leg it.

* echar abajo = knock down.

* echar a correr = bolt, make + a bolt for, take off + running, take to + Posesivo + heels, run off.

* echar a la calle = evict, throw + Nombre + out.

* echar Algo por tierra = blow + Nombre + out of the water.

* echar amarras = moor.

* echar anclas = drop + anchor.

* echar a perder = ruin, bungle, bring out + the worst in, cast + a blight on, blight, go off.

* echar a pique = scuttle.

* echar a suerte = draw + lots.

* echar a un lado = push aside.

* echar a volar = take + flight.

* echar brotes = bud, sprout.

* echar chispas = fume, froth at + the mouth.

* echar chispas por los ojos = glower, scowl (at).

* echar coraje = pluck up + courage, gather up + courage.

* echar de menos = miss.

* echar dentro de = throw into.

* echar el ancla = drop + anchor.

* echar el candado = padlock.

* echar en cara = fault.

* echar espuma por la boca = froth at + the mouth.

* echar espumarajos por la boca = froth at + the mouth.

* echar fuera = throw + Nombre + out.

* echar gasolina = pump + gas.

* echar hojas = leaf out.

* echar humo = blow + smoke, fume, steam, smoulder [smolder, -USA], froth at + the mouth.

* echar humo por las orejas = go + berserk, go + postal, work up + a lather.

* echar la bola a rodar = get + the ball rolling, set + the ball rolling, start + the ball rolling.

* echar la culpa = place + blame, fault.

* echarle el ojo a = eye.

* echarle la culpa a = put + the blame on.

* echar leña al fuego = pour + oil on the flames.

* echarle una mano a = bat for, go to + bat for.

* echar los dientes = cut + Posesivo + teeth.

* echar los postigos = shutter.

* echarlo todo a perder = upset + the applecart.

* echarlo todo a rodar = upset + the applecart.

* echarlo todo por tierra = upset + the applecart.

* echar mano a/de = leverage.

* echar mano a los ahorros = dip into + savings.

* echar mano de = fall back on, call into + play.

* echar marcha atrás = do + an about-face, back out, back up.

* echar muchas horas al día = work + long hours.

* echar muchísimo de menos = be sorely missed, be sadly missed.

* echar muchísimo en falta = be sorely missed, be sadly missed.

* echar mucho de menos = be sorely missed, be sadly missed.

* echar mucho en falta = be sorely missed, be sadly missed.

* echar poco a poco = dribble.

* echar por alto = bungle.

* echar por encima = top with.

* echar por la borda = go by + the board, jettison.

* echar por tierra = scupper, blight, cast + a blight on.

* echar por tierra las ilusiones = shatter + Posesivo + hopes.

* echar por tierra los planes de Alguien = spike + Posesivo + guns.

* echar por tierra una idea = crush + idea.

* echar + Posesivo + planes a perder = upset + Posesivo + plans, ruin + Posesivo + plans.

* echar raíces = settle down, root.

* echar sal = salt.

* echar sal en la herida = add + salt to injury, add + salt to the wound, add + insult to injury, rub + salt in the wound.

* echarse = stretch out, lie down.

* echarse a la calle = take to + the road, take to + the streets.

* echarse a la calles = spill (out) into + the streets.

* echarse a temblar con sólo pensar en = shudder at + the thought of.

* echarse atrás = draw back, draw back, chicken out (on/of), back out, get + cold feet, backpedal [back-pedal].

* echarse encima de = bear down on.

* echarse flores = blow + Posesivo + own trumpet.

* écharsele a Uno el día encima = make + hay while the sun shines.

* echarse una cabezada = get + forty winks, get + some shut-eye, snatch + some shut-eye, grab + some shut-eye, snatch + forty winks, grab + forty winks, take + forty winks.

* echarse una cabezadita = get + forty winks, get + some shut-eye, snatch + some shut-eye, grab + some shut-eye, snatch + forty winks, grab + forty winks, take + forty winks.

* echarse una cana al aire = have + a fling.

* echarse una canita al aire = have + a fling.

* echarse una siesta = take + a nap, nap, napping, kip.

* echarse un duelo = duel.

* echarse un pulso = arm wrestling.

* echarse un sueñecito = get + forty winks, get + some shut-eye, snatch + some shut-eye, grab + some shut-eye, snatch + forty winks, grab + forty winks, take + forty winks.

* echarse un trago = tipple.

* echar suertes = draw + lots.

* echar toda la carne en el asador = put + all (of) + Posesivo + eggs in one basket, shoot (for) + the moon, go for + broke.

* echar una bronca = tell + Nombe + off, give + Nombre + a dressing-down, give + Nombre + a telling-off, chew + Nombre + up.

* echar una buena bronca = give + Nombre + a good roasting.

* echar una cana al aire = kick up + Posesivo + heels.

* echar una cana al aire antes de sentar la cabeza = sow + Posesivo + wild oats.

* echar una cana al aire cuando joven = sow + Posesivo + wild oats.

* echar una canica al aire = disport + Reflexivo.

* echar una mano = lend + a (helping) hand, put + Posesivo + shoulder to the wheel, set + Posesivo + shoulder to the wheel, muck in, pitch in.

* echar una mano a Alguien = give + Nombre + a hand.

* echar una meada = take + a leak, have + a leak.

* echar una mirada = take + a look at, take + a peek, peek, have + a look, cast + a glance over, look through, glance at, take + a gander.

* echar una mirada furtiva a = steal + a glance at.

* echar una mirada mortal = look + daggers at.

* echar una ojeada = look through, glance at, peek, take + a peek, take + a look at, take + a gander.

* echar una ojeada a = cast + a glance over.

* echar un cana al aire = one-night stand.

* echar un casquete = fuck, screw, get + laid.

* echar un chorro de = squirt.

* echar un conjuro = cast + a (magic) spell.

* echar un ojo = keep + an eye on, have + a look.

* echar un polvo = fuck, screw, get + laid.

* echar un rapapolvo = tell + Nombe + off, give + Nombre + a dressing-down, give + Nombre + a telling-off, chew + Nombre + up.

* echar un tupido velo sobre = draw + a veil over.

* echar un vistazo = take + a look at, glance at, check out, peek, have + a look, take + a peek, cast + a glance over, look through, browse, peruse, take + a gander.

* echar valor = pluck up + courage, muster (up) + (the) courage, gather up + courage.

* echar vino = pour + wine.

* la suerte estaba echada = the die was cast, the die had been cast.

* la suerte está echada = the die is cast.

* para echar sal en la herida = to add insult to injury, to add salt to injury, to rub salt in the wound.

* planta que echa flores = bloomer.

* salir a echarse un cigarro = go out for + a smoke.

* salir echando leches = bolt, take off, make + a bolt for, dash off, shoot off.

* ser demasiado tarde para echar atrás = reach + the point of no return.

* * *

echar [A1 ]

GUIA DE BUSQUEDA

■ echar (verbo transitivo)

Sentido I

A

1 lanzar, tirar

2 soltar

3 Juegos: cartas

B expulsar: persona

C echar: carta

D

1 pasar, correr

2 mover

E despedir: humo

F

1 echar: hojas

2 echar: dientes

Sentido II

A

1 poner

2 servir, dar

B

1 dirigir: sermón, discurso

2 imponer

C calcular

D dar: programa, película

E pasar: tiempo

Sentido III con sustantivos

Sentido IV

A echar abajo

B echar de ver

■ echar (verbo intransitivo)

A empezar

B dirigirse

C echar para adelante

■ echarse (verbo pronominal)

Sentido I

A

1 tirarse, arrojarse

2 tumbarse, acostarse

3 apartarse, moverse

B

1 ponerse

2 echarse novio/novia

3 tragarse

C expulsar

D romper

E tardar

Sentido II echarse a + infinitivo

vt

Sentido I

A

1 (lanzar, tirar) to throw

echó la botella por la ventanilla she threw the bottle out of the window

lo eché a la basura I threw it out o away

echó la moneda al aire he tossed the coin

echó una piedra al agua she threw a stone into the water

échame la pelota throw me the ball, throw the ball to me

echaron el ancla they cast their anchor o dropped anchor

echó la red he cast his net

echó la cabeza hacia atrás she threw her head back

echó la mano a la pistola he grabbed o made a grab for his gun

le echó los brazos al cuello she threw her arms around his neck

echar a algn a perder to spoil sb

echar algo a perder ‹sorpresa/preparativos› to spoil sth, ruin sth

ha luchado tanto y ahora lo echa todo a perder he's fought so hard and now he's throwing it all away

la helada echó a perder la cosecha the frost ruined the harvest

echar de menos algo/a algn to miss sth/sb

¿cuándo lo echaste de menos? when did you miss it o realize it was missing?

te echo mucho de menos I really miss you, I miss you terribly

2

(soltar): les echaron los perros they set the dogs on them

echó el semental a la yegua he put the mare to the stud

3 (Juegos) ‹carta› to play, put down

echarle las cartas a algn to read sb's cards

B (expulsar) ‹persona› (de un trabajo) to fire (colloq), to sack (BrE colloq); (de un bar, teatro) to throw … out; (de un colegio) to expel

me echaron (del trabajo) I was fired, I got the sack (BrE)

me echó de casa he threw o turned me out (of the house)

entre dos camareros lo echaron a la calle two of the waiters threw him out

C ‹carta› to mail (AmE), to post (BrE)

D

1 (pasar, correr) ‹cortinas› to pull, draw

échale la llave lock it

la persiana estaba echada the blinds were down

¿echaste el cerrojo? did you bolt the door?

2

(mover): échalo a un lado push it to one side

lo echó para atrás she pushed ( o moved etc) it backward(s)

E

(expeler, despedir): echaba espuma por la boca he was foaming at the mouth

el motor echa mucho humo there's a lot of smoke coming from the engine

el volcán echaba humo y lava the volcano was belching out smoke and lava

¡qué peste echa esa fábrica! (fam); what a stink that factory gives off! (colloq)

chispa² (↑ chispa (2))

F (producir)

1 ‹hojas› to sprout

la planta ya está echando flores the plant is already flowering

2 ‹dientes› to cut

estás echando barriga (fam); you're getting a bit of a tummy (colloq)

Sentido II

A

1 (poner) to put

le echaste mucha sal a la sopa you put too much salt in the soup

¿cuánto azúcar le echas al café? how many sugars do you take in your coffee?

echa esa camisa a la ropa sucia put that shirt in with the dirty laundry, put that shirt out for the wash

echa más leña al fuego put some more wood on the fire

¿qué te echaron los Reyes? (Esp); ≈ what did Santa bring you?

échale valor y díselo (fam); just pluck up your courage and tell him

2 (servir, dar) to give

échame un poquito de vino can you pour o give me a little wine?

¿te echo más salsa? do you want some more sauce?

tenía que echar de comer a los cerdos he had to feed the pigs

tengo que echarles de comer a los niños (fam hum); I have to feed the children, I have to get the children's dinner ( o lunch etc)

lo que me/le echen (Esp fam): yo, de trabajo, lo que me echen I'll do whatever needs doing (colloq)

éste come lo que le echen he'll eat whatever's put in front of him (colloq)

B

1 (dirigir) ‹sermón/discurso› (+ me/te/le etc):

me echó un sermón por llegar tarde (fam); he gave me a real talking-to for being late (colloq)

nos echó un discurso de dos horas (fam); she gave us a two-hour lecture (colloq)

le echó una maldición she put a curse on him

peste

2 (fam) (imponer) ‹condena/multa› (+ me/te/le etc) to give

le echaron una multa he was fined, they gave him a fine, he got a fine

me echaron dos años I got two years (colloq)

C (fam) (calcular) (+ me/te/le etc):

¿cuántos años me echas? how old do you think I am?

le echo 20 años I'd say he was 20, I'd put him at 20 (colloq)

¿cuánto te costó? — ¿cuánto le echas? how much did it cost you? — how much do you think? o have a guess

de aquí a tu casa échale una media hora it's o it takes about half an hour from here to your house

D (Esp fam) (dar, exhibir) ‹programa/película› to show

¿qué echan en el Imperial? what are they showing at the Imperial?, what's on at the Imperial?

¿qué echan en la tele esta noche? what's on TV tonight?

E (Esp fam) (pasar) ‹tiempo› to spend

echamos un rato agradable con ellos we spent o had a pleasant few hours with them

Sentido III (con sustantivos):

echar un cigarrillo (fam); to have a cigarette

echar una firma (fam); to sign

echar el freno to put the brake on

me echó una mirada furibunda she gave o threw me a furious look

echaron unas manos de póquer they played o had a few hands of poker

cuenta¹ f A 1. (↑ cuenta (1)) , culpa, mirada, partida, siesta, etc

Sentido IV

A

echar abajo ‹edificio› to pull down;

‹gobierno› to bring down; ‹proyecto› to destroy; ‹esperanzas› to dash

nos echó abajo la moral it undermined our morale

echaron la puerta abajo they broke the door down

tierra

B

echar de ver to notice, realize

se echa de ver que está muy triste it's obvious that o you can see that she's not very happy

■ echar

vi

A (empezar) echar A + INF to start o begin to + INF, start o begin -ING

al ver que lo seguían echó a correr when he saw they were following him he started to run o started running o broke into a run

echó a andar sin esperarnos he set off without waiting for us

el motor echó a andar a la primera the engine started (the) first time

las palomas echaron a volar the doves flew off

B

(dirigirse): echó calle abajo she went off down the street

echa por aquí a ver si podemos aparcar go down here to see if we can find a place to park

echaron por la primera calle a la derecha they took the first street on the right

C

echar para adelante or (fam) p'alante: echa para adelante un poco, si no vas a bloquear la salida del garaje go forward a little, or else you'll block the garage exit

echa p'alante y verás cómo te sale bien go for it! everything will turn out all right, you'll see (colloq)

echa p'alante, que ya llegamos keep going, we're nearly there

■ echarse

v pron

Sentido I

A

1 (tirarse, arrojarse) to throw oneself

nos echamos al suelo we threw ourselves to the ground

se echó en sus brazos she threw o flung herself into his arms

se echó de cabeza al agua she dived into the water

échate hacia atrás lean back

la noche se nos echó encima night fell suddenly, it was night before we knew it

echarse a perder «comida» to go bad, go off (BrE);

«proyecto/preparativos» to be ruined

se me echó a perder el televisor my television's broken

era muy bonita pero se ha echado a perder she used to be very pretty but she's lost her looks

desde que se ha juntado con ellos se ha echado a perder since he started hanging out with them he's gone off the rails (colloq)

encima

2 (tumbarse, acostarse) to lie down

se echó en la cama he lay down on the bed

me voy a echar un rato I'm going to lie down for a while, I'm going to have a lie-down (BrE)

3 (apartarse, moverse) (+ compl):

se echó a un lado she moved to one side

me tuve que echar a la cuneta I had to go off the edge of the road

échate para allá y nos podremos sentar todos if you move over that way a bit we can all sit down

echarse atrás to back out

dijo que iba a venir, pero luego se echó atrás she said she was going to come, but then she changed her mind o pulled out o backed out

cuando vieron que iba a ser difícil se echaron atrás when they saw that it was going to be difficult, they got cold feet o backed out

echárselas (Chi fam): el jefe no le quiso pagar más y se las echó the boss didn't want to pay him any more so he upped and left (colloq)

se las echó cerro arriba he went off up the hill

echárselas de algo (fam): se las echa de culto he likes to think he's cultured

se las echa de gran conocedor de vinos he claims to be o makes out he is a bit of a wine connoisseur, he likes to think of himself as o (BrE) he fancies himself as a bit of a wine connoisseur (colloq)

B

1 (ponerse) to put on

échate crema o te quemarás con este sol put some cream on or you'll burn in this sun

se echó el abrigo por los hombros she threw the coat around her shoulders

espalda

2 (fam) ‹novio/novia›

se ha echado novia he's found o got himself a girlfriend

3 (Méx fam) (tragarse) to drink

C (expulsar) ‹pedo›

¿quién se ha echado un pedo? who's let off o farted? (colloq)

D (Méx fam) (romper) to break

echarse a algn al plato (Méx fam); to bump sb off (colloq)

E (Col fam) (tardar) ‹horas/días› to take

Sentido II (empezar) echarse A + INF to start -ING o start to + INF

se echó a llorar he started crying o to cry, he burst into tears

se echaron a reír they started laughing o to laugh, they burst out laughing

se echó a correr cuesta abajo he ran o he set off at a run down the hill

sólo de pensarlo me echo a temblar just thinking about it gives me the shivers (colloq)

* * *

 

echar (conjugate echar) verbo transitivo
1

a) (lanzar, tirar) to throw;

◊ lo eché a la basura I threw it out o away;

echó la moneda al aire he tossed the coin;
echaron el ancla/la red they cast anchor/their net;
echó la cabeza hacia atrás she threw her head back;
echar algo a perder to ruin sth;
echar de menos algo/a algn to miss sth/sb

b)

◊ echar abajo ‹edificio› to pull down;

‹gobierno› to bring down;
‹proyecto› to destroy;
‹esperanzas› to dash;
‹moral› to undermine;
‹puerta/valla› to break … down
2 (expulsar) ‹persona› (de trabajo) to fire (colloq), to sack (BrE colloq);
(de bar, casa) to throw … out;
(de colegio) to expel
3 ‹carta› to mail (AmE), to post (BrE)
4

a) (pasar, correr) ‹cortinas› to pull, draw;

◊ échale (la) llave lock it;

¿echaste el cerrojo? did you bolt the door?

b) (mover):

◊ lo echó para atrás/a un lado she pushed (o moved etc) it backward(s)/to one side

5

a) (expeler, despedir) ‹olor/humo/chispas› to give off

b) (producir) ‹hojas› to sprout;

◊ ya está echando flores it's flowering already

1

a) (poner) ‹leña/carbón› to put;

‹gasolina› to put in;

◊ ¿le echas azúcar al café? do you take sugar in your coffee?

b) (servir, dar) to give;

◊ échame un poco de vino can you give me a little wine?

c) ‹trago› to have

2

a) ‹sermón/discurso› (fam) (+ me/te/le etc) to give;

◊ le echó una maldición she put a curse on him

b) (fam) ‹condena/multa› (+ me/te/le etc) to give;

◊ echarle la culpa a algn to put o lay the blame on sb

3 (fam) (calcular) (+ me/te/le etc):

◊ ¿cuántos años me echas? how old do you think I am?;

de aquí a tu casa échale una hora it's o it takes about an hour from here to your house
4 (Esp fam) (dar, exhibir) ‹programa/película› to show
echarse verbo pronominal
1

a) (tirarse, arrojarse) to throw oneself;

◊ me eché al suelo I threw myself to the ground;

echarse de cabeza al agua to dive into the water;
echarse a perder [comida] to go bad, go off (BrE);

[cosecha/proyecto/plan] to be ruined

b) (tumbarse, acostarse) to lie down

c) (apartarse, moverse) (+ compl):

◊ se echó a un lado she moved to one side;

échate un poco para allá move over that way a bit;
echarse atrás to back out
2

a) (ponerse) ‹crema/bronceador› to put on

b) ‹cigarillo› to have

c) (Esp fam) ‹novio/novia›:

◊ se ha echado novia he's found o got himself a girlfriend

d) (Méx fam) (beberse) to drink

3 (Méx fam) (romper) to break
4 (Col fam) (tardar) ‹horas/días› to take
5 (empezar) echarse a to start o begin to, start o begin;

◊ se echó a correr he started to run o started running;

las palomas se echaron a volar the doves flew off
echar
I verbo transitivo
1 (por el aire) to throw: ¡echa la pelota!, throw us the ball
2 (añadir) to put
(una bebida) to pour
(gasolina) to put petrol (in the car): échale más agua al caldo, put more water in the soup
3 (despedir: humo, olor) to give off: este motor echa chispas, there are sparks coming out of this engine
(del trabajo) to sack, fire
(obligar a salir) to throw out: le echaron del instituto, they expelled him from school
4 (calcular subjetivamente) to reckon: le echó más años, he thought she was older
5 fam (un espectáculo) to show
6 (derribar) echar abajo, (edificio) to demolish
7 (+ sustantivo) figurado échale una ojeada a esto, have a look at this
figurado echarle una mano a alguien, to give sb a hand
8 echar de menos o en falta, to miss ➣ Ver nota en miss
II vi (+ a + infinitivo) (empezar) to begin to: echó a andar, she started to walk
de repente echó a correr, she suddenly started to run
'echar' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
añorar
- balón
- bautizar
- borda
- botar
- bronca
- buenaventura
- cabezada
- campana
- cana
- capote
- cara
- cierre
- correo
- extrañar
- falta
- guante
- jarra
- jarro
- leña
- mano
- mirada
- ojo
- olvidarse
- papilla
- película
- perder
- peste
- polvo
- pulso
- resto
- saco
- salar
- sapo
- siesta
- sortear
- suerte
- tierra
- tirar
- vista
- vistazo
- amarra
- ancla
- barriga
- basura
- brote
- buzón
- calle
- carta
- casa
English:
anchor
- arm wrestle
- belch
- blame
- boot
- boot out
- brake
- browse
- bud
- cast
- catapult
- chase away
- chuck out
- demolish
- dip into
- discharge
- door
- doze
- draw
- evict
- explode
- eye
- fill out
- fire
- forget
- froth
- fuel
- fume
- glance down
- glance round
- hair
- hex
- jettison
- kick out
- lace
- launch
- lay
- lend
- lie down
- lock up
- look
- lot
- mail
- miss
- muck up
- peep
- post
- puff
- pull apart
- put

* * *

echar

♦ vt

1. [tirar] to throw;

[red] to cast;

echar anclas, echar el ancla to drop anchor;

échame el balón throw me the ball;

echar algo a la basura to throw sth in the Br bin o US garbage can;

echar una moneda al aire to toss a coin;

échalo en la cesta de la ropa sucia put it in the dirty-clothes basket;

echar una piedra por la ventana to throw a stone through the window;

echar abajo [edificio] to pull down, to demolish;

[puerta] to break down; [gobierno] to bring down; [proyecto] to ruin

2. [meter, poner] to put;

echa suficiente ropa en la maleta make sure you pack enough clothes in your suitcase;

échalo en el asiento de atrás put it on the back seat;

echa esta camisa a la lavadora put that shirt in the washing machine;

echa una firma en esta postal sign o put your name on this postcard;

Comp

echar leña al fuego to add fuel to the fire;

Comp

Fam

echar el resto: queda sólo una semana, ahora hay que echar el resto there's only a week to go, so from now on we really have to give it our all

3. [carta, postal] to post, US to mail;

¿(me) podrías echar esta carta? could you post o US mail this letter (for me)?;

echó la carta al buzón y siguió caminando he put the letter in the postbox o US mailbox and walked on;

echar algo al correo to put sth in the post, to post sth, US to mail sth

4. [trago, sorbo] to take, to have;

[cigarrillo] to have

5. [vistazo] to take, to have;

le he echado una mirada, pero no me parece interesante I've had a look at it, but I don't think it's very interesting

6. [mover] [parte del cuerpo]

echa la pierna a un lado move your leg aside;

echó la cabeza hacia atrás she threw her head back;

echa los hombros para atrás y saca el pecho put your shoulders back and stick your chest out

7. [añadir] [vino, agua] to pour (a o en into); [sal, azúcar] to add (a o en to);

échame más agua, por favor could you pour me some more water, please?;

no me eches tanta azúcar en el café don't put so much sugar in my coffee

8. [dar] [comida, bebida] to give;

echa alpiste al canario give the canary some birdseed;

hay que echar agua a las plantas we need to water the plants;

Comp

Fam

lo que me/te/le etc[m5]. echen: [m5]Alberto come lo que le echen Alberto will eat whatever you put in front of him;

es un hombre muy paciente, aguanta lo que le eches he's a very patient man, he puts up with anything you can throw at him

9. [decir] [discurso, sermón] to give;

[reprimenda] to dish out; [piropo, cumplido] to pay;

echar una maldición a alguien to put a curse on sb;

Fam

le echaron una bronca por llegar tarde they told her off for arriving late;

me echó en cara que no le hubiera ayudado she reproached me for not helping her

10. [humo, vapor, chispas] to give off, to emit;

la fábrica echa mucho humo a la atmósfera the factory pours out a lot of smoke into the atmosphere;

Comp

Fam

está que echa humo he's fuming;

Comp

Fam

echar pestes o Méx [m5]madres: volvió de vacaciones echando pestes o Méx [m5]madres del lugar she came back from her Br holiday o US vacation cursing the place where she had stayed

11. [hojas, flores] to sprout, to shoot;

[raíces, pelo, barba] to begin to grow; [diente] to cut;

los almendros están echando flores the almond trees are beginning to flower;

está empezando a echar los dientes she's beginning to cut her teeth;

Fam

en los últimos meses ha echado mucha barriga he's developed quite a paunch over the past few months

12. [expulsar]

echar a alguien (de) to throw sb out (of);

le han echado del partido he's been expelled from the party;

le echaron de clase por hablar con un compañero he was thrown o sent out of the class for talking to a friend

13. [despedir]

echar a alguien (de) to fire o sack sb (from);

¡que lo echen! fire him!, sack him!, kick him out!

14. [accionar]

echar la llave/el cerrojo to lock/bolt the door;

echar el freno to brake, to put the brakes on;

Fam Fig

¡echa el freno! ¿estás seguro de que podemos pagarlo? hold your horses, are you sure we can afford it?

15. [acostar] to lie (down);

¿has echado al bebé? have you put the baby to bed?

16. [tiempo]

le he echado dos semanas a este proyecto I've taken two weeks over this project, I've spent two weeks on this project;

echaron dos horas en llegar a Bogotá it took them two hours to get to Bogotá

17. [calcular]

¿cuántos años le echas? how old do you reckon he is?;

siempre me echan años de menos people always think I'm younger than I really am;

échale que de aquí a Málaga haya 600 kilómetros let's say it's about 600 kilometres from here to Malaga

18. [naipe, partida] to play;

te echo una carrera I'll race you;

¿echamos un dominó? shall we have a game of dominoes?

19. [buenaventura] to tell;

echar las cartas a alguien to read sb's fortune [from the cards]

20. [emplear]

le echó muchas ganas al asunto he went about it with a will;

le echan mucha ilusión a todo lo que hacen they put a lot of enthusiasm into everything they do;

échale más brío al pedaleo put a bit more energy into the pedalling;

los ladrones le echaron mucho ingenio the thieves showed a lot of ingenuity

21. Fam [sentencia]

le echaron diez años he got ten years

22. Fam [documento]

tengo que ir a echar una instancia al Ministerio I've got to go and hand in a form at the ministry

23. Esp Fam [en televisión, cine, teatro] to show;

¿qué echan esta noche en la tele? what's on TV o Br telly tonight?;

¿qué echan en el Rialto? what's on o showing at the Rialto?;

echan una película de acción they're showing an action movie

24. Am [animales] to urge on

25. [otras contrucciones]

echar a perder algo [vestido, alimentos, plan] to ruin sth;

[ocasión] to waste sth;

no puedes echar todo a perder, después de tanto esfuerzo you can't just throw it all away after all that effort;

echar algo a cara o cruz to toss (a coin) for sth;

echar algo a suertes to draw lots for sth;

echar de menos to miss;

le echa mucho de menos he misses her a lot;

echo de menos mi casa I miss my house;

Chile

echarlas to run away;

echar algo por tierra to put paid to sth, to ruin sth;

eso echa por tierra todas nuestras esperanzas that dashes all our hopes

♦ vi

1. [encaminarse]

echar por la calle arriba to go o head up the street;

echar por la derecha to go (to the) right

2. [empezar]

echar a andar to set off;

echar a correr to break into a run;

echar a llorar to burst into tears;

echar a reír to burst out laughing;

echar a volar to fly off

♦ See also the pronominal verb echarse

* * *

echar

I v/t

1 (lanzar) throw; de un lugar throw out;

lo han echado del trabajo he’s been fired;

echar abajo pull down, destroy

2 humo give off

3 (poner) put

4 carta mail, Br tb

post

5

:

echar la culpa a alguien blame s.o., put the blame on s.o.;

me echó 40 años he thought I was 40

II v/i

:

echar a start to, begin to;

echar a correr start o begin to run, start running

* * *

echar vt

1) lanzar: to throw, to cast, to hurl

2) expulsar: to throw out, to expel

3) emitir: to emit, give off

4) brotar: to sprout, to put forth

5) despedir: to fire, to dismiss

6) : to put in, to add

7)

echar a perder : to spoil, to ruin

8)

echar de menos : to miss

echan de menos a su madre: they miss their mother

echar vi

1) : to start off

2)

echar a : to begin to

♦ See also the reflexive verb echarse

* * *

echar vb

1. (tirar) to throw [pt. threw; pp. thrown]

échame la pelota throw me the ball

2. (expulsar) to expel [pt. & pp. expelled] / to throw out

lo han echado del colegio he's been expelled from school

nos echó de su casa she threw us out of her house

3. (poner) to put [pt. & pp. put]

¿has echado sal al arroz? have you put any salt in the rice?

4. (dar) to give [pt. gave; pp. given]

me has echado demasiado, no creo que pueda comérmelo you've given me too much I don't think I can eat it all

mi padre me ha echado un sermón my father gave me a lecture

5. (verter) to pour

échame un poco de zumo pour me some juice

6. (emitir) to give out

la chimenea echa mucho humo there's a lot of smoke coming from the chimney

7. (jugar) to play / to have

¿echamos una partida de ajedrez? shall we have a game of chess?

8. (proyectar) to be on

¿qué echan hoy en televisión? what's on television tonight?

9. (calcular) to think [pt. & pp. thought] / to guess

¿cuántos años me echas? how old do you think I am?

te echo 25 años I think you're 25

echar a cara o cruz to toss a coin for it

echar a hacer algo to start doing something

echar de menos to miss

echar el cerrojo to bolt the door

echar una carta al buzón to post a letter

echar una mirada to look