Example: Cuando no sabe la respuesta, siempre echa balones fuera.
Definition
"Echar balones fuera" is a Spanish expression used to describe the action of avoiding a direct answer or responsibility by diverting attention to something else, often to evade a difficult question or situation.
Translations
to dodge the issue
de vraag ontwijken
desviar l'atenció
éluder la question
ausweichen
Etymology
The phrase "echar balones fuera" literally means 'to throw balls outside' and originates from sports, particularly football (soccer), where kicking the ball out of play can stop the game or delay action. Did you know? It metaphorically evolved to describe people who dodge issues by 'kicking the ball away' from themselves.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Echar balones fuera" appears in the Vocaplus list "Spanish - General - Modismos y refranes - (C1) - parte 1", containing 120 commonly used expressions.
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to dodge the issue