No te rajes
/noh teh RRAH-hess/
Don't back down, don't give up, or don't chicken out. It’s a phrase of encouragement to persevere or follow through on a commitment.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, 'rajarse' means to split or crack open, like a piece of wood.
In practice, it means 'Don't give up!' or 'Don't back down!'.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
Dijiste que te comerías todo el chile, ¡ahora no te rajes!
B1You said you'd eat the whole chili pepper, don't chicken out now!
Sé que el maratón es difícil, pero ya casi llegamos. ¡No te rajes!
B2I know the marathon is tough, but we're almost there. Don't give up!
Prometió que me ayudaría con la mudanza, espero que no se raje a último momento.
B2He promised he'd help me with the move, I hope he doesn't back out at the last minute.
📜 Origin Story
This expression is deeply rooted in Mexican culture. The verb 'rajar' means 'to split' or 'to crack,' like wood under pressure. The idea is that a person of integrity and courage is solid and whole. Someone who 'se raja' is someone who 'cracks' under pressure, backing out of a promise or showing fear. Therefore, calling someone a 'rajado' (a coward) is a significant insult to their honor, while telling a friend 'no te rajes' is a powerful call to be strong and keep their word.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use It as Encouragement (or a Challenge!)
This is the perfect phrase to shout to a friend who is struggling in a race, studying for a hard test, or facing a tough situation. It's a boost of confidence. You can also use it playfully to hold someone to a dare or a bet they made.
It's All About Honor
Remember the cultural background. At its heart, 'rajarse' is about breaking your word or showing fear. Saying 'no te rajes' appeals to a person's sense of honor, courage, and commitment.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Not for Formal Situations
Mistake: "Using 'No te rajes' with a boss, a professor, or in a formal business meeting."
Correction: This is a very informal, friendly, and direct phrase. In formal contexts where you want to encourage someone, it's better to use 'No se rinda' (Don't give up) or 'Le animo a continuar' (I encourage you to continue).
🌎 Where It's Used
Mexico
A cornerstone of Mexican slang, used constantly and understood by everyone. It's deeply embedded in the culture.
United States
Extremely common in communities with large Mexican-American populations.
Central America
Understood in many countries, but strongly identified as a Mexicanism.
Spain
Not common. In Spain, 'rajarse' can mean 'to snitch' or 'to tell on someone,' so the phrase could be confusing. They would more likely say 'no te eches atrás' (don't back out).
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: No te rajes
Question 1 of 1
Your friend dares you to eat a very spicy taco. As you hesitate, they say, '¡No te rajes!'. What are they telling you?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is calling someone a 'rajado' a serious insult?
It can be, yes. A 'rajado' is a coward or someone who breaks their word. While it can be a lighthearted tease among close friends, using it in a serious context is a strong insult to someone's honor and integrity, particularly within Mexican culture.