Echar carrilla
/eh-CHAR kah-RREE-yah/
To tease, poke fun at, or give someone a hard time, usually in a playful but persistent way.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, this could mean 'to throw a small cart or reel'.
In reality, it means to tease someone or give them a hard time in a friendly way.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
Deja de echarme carrilla con mi nuevo corte de pelo, ¡ya sé que está fatal!
B2Stop giving me a hard time about my new haircut, I already know it's terrible!
En mi grupo de amigos, nos encanta echarnos carrilla los unos a los otros.
B2In my group of friends, we love to roast each other.
Le están echando carrilla porque su equipo de fútbol perdió otra vez.
B2They're teasing him because his soccer team lost again.
📜 Origin Story
The exact origin is a bit of a mystery, but a popular theory connects it to horse riding. The word 'carrillo' can mean 'cheek', but it can also refer to a part of a horse's bridle. The action of 'dar carrilla' or 'echar carrilla' might have originally meant to repeatedly tug on the reins to annoy the horse or make it go faster. This idea of persistent, annoying prodding was then applied metaphorically to teasing people with words.
⭐ Usage Tips
Friendly Fire Only
Use 'echar carrilla' for teasing among friends and family. The tone is usually lighthearted and fun. It often implies a more continuous, ongoing 'roast' rather than a single joke.
Read the Room
While it's usually friendly, teasing can sometimes go too far. If the person you're 'echando carrilla' to isn't laughing along, it's a good sign to stop. The goal is shared laughter, not making someone feel bad.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using it in Formal Settings
Mistake: "Telling your boss or a new acquaintance, 'Le voy a echar carrilla'."
Correction: This expression is strictly informal. Using it in a professional or formal context would be seen as disrespectful and unprofessional. Save it for people you know well.
🌎 Where It's Used
Mexico
Extremely common and a key part of informal Mexican Spanish. If you're in Mexico, you'll hear this constantly among friends.
Central America
Understood and used in some countries, but not as widespread as in Mexico.
Spain
Not used. A Spaniard would use expressions like 'meterse con alguien', 'vacilar a alguien', or 'tomar el pelo'.
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: Echar carrilla
Question 1 of 1
If your Mexican friends are 'echándote carrilla', they are most likely...
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'echar carrilla' meaner than 'tomar el pelo'?
Not necessarily meaner, but it can be more persistent. 'Tomar el pelo' is like telling a single fib to 'pull someone's leg'. 'Echar carrilla' is more like an ongoing 'roast' about a funny haircut, a favorite sports team, or a silly mistake. The intent is usually friendly, but the teasing can last longer.