echar mano de
/et͡ʃaɾ mano de/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for dipping into is echar mano de.
echar mano de is used when someone utilizes a specific resource, tool or supply to solve a problem or complete a task.
How does it change in a sentence?
echar mano de is an idiomatic verbal expression that functions as a single unit meaning to use or resort to a resource.
How do you pronounce it?
/etʃaɾ mano de/
Did you know?
- While echar mano de means to use a resource, the word mano is also used as a slang clipping of hermano to mean 'brother' or 'mate'.
- The verb echar is a distant relative of the English words 'jet' and 'jut', as both stem from the same ancestral roots describing throwing or protruding.
- The verb echar is used in dozens of Spanish idioms that have nothing to do with throwing, such as echar de menos for missing someone.
Examples in context
- Le ruego que no use una porción excesiva de los recursos disponibles para el proyecto.I kindly request that you don't dip excessively into the resources available for the project.
- ¿Quién metió mano en mis caramelos sin permiso?Who dipped into my candies without permission?
- Tuve que echar mano de mis ahorros.I had to dip into my savings.
- Podemos echar mano de la reserva de emergencia.We can dip into the emergency reserve.
- Él decidió echar mano de sus contactos.He decided to dip into his contacts.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are discussing a budget shortfall at work.
- SofíaNo tenemos presupuesto para este proyecto.We don't have a budget for this project.
- DanielPodríamos echar mano de los fondos del año pasado.We could dip into last year's funds.
- SofíaEs una buena idea, Daniel.That is a good idea, Daniel.
- DanielVoy a preparar un informe ahora mismo.I will prepare a report right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, echar, mano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
