Meaning
To remind someone of past favors or mistakes, usually reproachfully.
Cultural Background
In Spain, 'echar en cara' is often associated with 'el qué dirán' (what people will say) and the preservation of family honor. It is a common trope in Spanish soap operas (culebrones). In Mexico, the phrase is used frequently, but you will also hear 'sacar en cara'. There is a strong cultural emphasis on 'lealtad' (loyalty), so throwing a favor in someone's face is considered particularly 'gacho' (bad/mean). Argentines often use 'sacar en cara' in the context of intense emotional debates. It fits into the 'reproche' culture often discussed in the context of the country's relationship with psychoanalysis. In Colombia, 'echar en cara' is used, but there is also a tendency to use 'cobrar' (to charge/collect) to describe the same feeling of being made to pay for a favor.
Avoid the article
Never say 'echar en LA cara' unless you are literally throwing water or dirt at someone.
Use it with 'lo'
In arguments, 'No me lo eches en cara' is the most natural way to use it, where 'lo' refers to the topic of the argument.
Meaning
To remind someone of past favors or mistakes, usually reproachfully.
Avoid the article
Never say 'echar en LA cara' unless you are literally throwing water or dirt at someone.
Use it with 'lo'
In arguments, 'No me lo eches en cara' is the most natural way to use it, where 'lo' refers to the topic of the argument.
Regional choice
Use 'sacar en cara' if you are in Mexico or Argentina to sound more like a local.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blanks with the correct indirect object pronoun and the verb 'echar'.
Ayer, mi novia ___ (a mí) _______ en cara que no la llamé por su santo.
We need the pronoun 'me' for 'a mí' and the past tense (pretérito indefinido) of 'echar'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct option:
The idiom is 'echar en cara', without an article and with the preposition 'en'.
Complete the dialogue with a logical response using the phrase.
Amigo A: '¡Te presté mi coche hace un mes y ahora no me quieres ayudar!' Amigo B: '¡Oye! ________________________'
This is the most natural way to respond to someone guilt-tripping you with a past favor.
Match the situation to the correct use of the phrase.
Situation: A boss reminds an employee of a mistake from 5 years ago to deny a promotion today.
This perfectly describes reproaching someone for a past mistake.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAyer, mi novia ___ (a mí) _______ en cara que no la llamé por su santo.
We need the pronoun 'me' for 'a mí' and the past tense (pretérito indefinido) of 'echar'.
Select the correct option:
The idiom is 'echar en cara', without an article and with the preposition 'en'.
Amigo A: '¡Te presté mi coche hace un mes y ahora no me quieres ayudar!' Amigo B: '¡Oye! ________________________'
This is the most natural way to respond to someone guilt-tripping you with a past favor.
Situation: A boss reminds an employee of a mistake from 5 years ago to deny a promotion today.
This perfectly describes reproaching someone for a past mistake.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsSí, generalmente se considera una actitud negativa o manipuladora.
Solo si tienes mucha confianza y la situación es muy tensa; de lo contrario, usa 'reprochar'.
Ninguna en significado; 'sacar' es más común en Latinoamérica y 'echar' en España.
Casi nunca. Siempre implica un reproche o un intento de hacer sentir culpable a alguien.
To throw it in someone's face.
Siempre un pronombre de objeto indirecto (me, te, le, nos, os, les).
No, incluso si el favor fue bueno, el acto de 'echarlo en cara' es malo.
Muchísimo, especialmente en boleros y música de despecho.
Sí, es la forma perfecta para reclamarle a alguien su actitud.
El reproche.
En ambos, pero es muy común en el pretérito indefinido para referirse a una discusión específica.
No, es una expresión idiomática estándar, pero informal.
Sí, pero debes decir 'Le eché en cara a Juan...'
Reprochar o recriminar.
Related Phrases
Sacar en cara
synonymTo throw in someone's face (Latin America).
Reprochar
synonymTo reproach.
Dar la cara
contrastTo take responsibility.
Tener mucha cara
similarTo be cheeky or shameless.
Caérsele la cara de vergüenza
similarTo be deeply ashamed.
