Meaning
To avoid answering a question directly or to deflect criticism.
Cultural Background
In Spain, football is more than a sport; it's a linguistic treasury. Phrases like 'dar en el clavo' or 'echar balones fuera' are used by everyone from grandmothers to CEOs. While understood, Argentines might also use 'tirar la pelota afuera'. The passion for football there makes this metaphor equally powerful. In Mexico, you might hear 'salirse por la tangente' more often in formal settings, but 'echar balones fuera' is widely recognized thanks to Spanish media influence. In Hispanic business culture, direct 'No' answers are sometimes avoided to maintain harmony. 'Echar balones fuera' is the tactical version of this cultural trait.
Use it in debates
If you are in a Spanish debate club, using this phrase will immediately make you sound like a native speaker who understands rhetorical strategies.
Don't over-pluralize
It's always 'balones' (plural). Saying 'echar un balón fuera' sounds like you are literally playing soccer.
Meaning
To avoid answering a question directly or to deflect criticism.
Use it in debates
If you are in a Spanish debate club, using this phrase will immediately make you sound like a native speaker who understands rhetorical strategies.
Don't over-pluralize
It's always 'balones' (plural). Saying 'echar un balón fuera' sounds like you are literally playing soccer.
Regional variations
In Argentina, 'tirar la pelota afuera' is just as common. If you're in Buenos Aires, try that one!
Test Yourself
Choose the correct meaning of 'echar balones fuera' in this sentence: 'El actor echó balones fuera cuando le preguntaron por su divorcio.'
What did the actor do?
The actor deflected the personal question by shifting the focus to his work.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'echar'.
Si me sigues preguntando eso, voy a ___ balones fuera.
After 'voy a', we need the infinitive form.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: A politician is asked about a corruption scandal and starts talking about the weather.
Talking about the weather to avoid a scandal is a classic case of 'echar balones fuera'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Por qué no hiciste la tarea? B: Es que mi perro se puso enfermo y... A: ¡No ___!
We use the negative imperative (subjunctive form) for 'tú'.
Match the idiom to its synonym.
Match the following:
'Salir por la tangente' is a very close synonym meaning to go off on a tangent.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Direct vs. Evasive
Practice Bank
5 exercisesWhat did the actor do?
The actor deflected the personal question by shifting the focus to his work.
Si me sigues preguntando eso, voy a ___ balones fuera.
After 'voy a', we need the infinitive form.
Situation: A politician is asked about a corruption scandal and starts talking about the weather.
Talking about the weather to avoid a scandal is a classic case of 'echar balones fuera'.
A: ¿Por qué no hiciste la tarea? B: Es que mi perro se puso enfermo y... A: ¡No ___!
We use the negative imperative (subjunctive form) for 'tú'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
'Salir por la tangente' is a very close synonym meaning to go off on a tangent.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt can be. It's a direct accusation of being evasive. Use it with friends or when you're genuinely frustrated, but be careful with superiors.
Yes! You can say 'Perdona, estoy echando balones fuera porque no quiero hablar de eso.' It shows self-awareness.
'Mentir' is to tell a lie. 'Echar balones fuera' is to avoid the question entirely so you don't have to lie or tell the truth.
Yes, though 'tirar la pelota fuera' is a common variation in the Southern Cone (Argentina, Uruguay).
It's better to use 'evadir la cuestión' in academic writing, but it's fine for journalism or opinion pieces.
Usually, but it can also be about avoiding a task or a responsibility.
'Balón' is the specific word for a soccer ball in Spain. 'Pelota' is more general (tennis, etc.).
Not really. It's almost always a critique of someone's behavior.
No, that doesn't exist as an idiom.
Extremely. You will hear it in almost every political interview in Spain.
The present ('siempre echa...') and the infinitive ('deja de echar...') are very common.
Only by the verb 'echar', which is one of the most versatile verbs in Spanish.
Related Phrases
Salir por la tangente
synonymTo go off on a tangent.
Escurrir el bulto
similarTo avoid a responsibility or a chore.
Hacerse el sueco
similarTo pretend not to understand.
Irse por los cerros de Úbeda
similarTo ramble or get off track.
Dar la cara
contrastTo face up to something / take responsibility.
