dejarlo todo

/deˈxaɾlo ˈtoðo/◆idiom

to abandon everything

Decidió dejarlo todo y mudarse a las montañas.

He decided to abandon everything and move to the mountains.

◆ What It Really Means

To make a radical, often impulsive decision to abandon one's current life, responsibilities, or social ties in pursuit of freedom, escape, or a new beginning. The phrase conveys a sense of urgency and emotional weight, implying that the speaker is leaving behind something significant.

¶ Literal Meaning

To leave it all behind

Literal Breakdown

dejarto leave (physically)+loit (the situation)+todoeverything (all possessions/responsibilities)

◇ Mental Image

Imagine packing a single suitcase and walking away from a house filled with all your belongings, relationships, and obligations—symbolizing a complete break from the past.

◈ When to Use

After a burnout at work, someone might say, 'Voy a dejarlo todo y viajar por un año' (I'm going to drop everything and travel for a year). This implies quitting the job, leaving their home, and starting a new chapter without a clear plan.

◉ Cultural Note

The phrase reflects a cultural tendency in Spanish-speaking societies to romanticize drastic life changes, especially in literature and media. It’s often associated with themes of freedom, rebellion, or existential crisis, as seen in works like 'La vida es sueño' by Calderón de la Barca.

informal

To completely abandon one's responsibilities, commitments, or lifestyle, often to pursue a new path or escape a situation.

Tras años de estrés, dejólo todo y se fue de viaje.

After years of stress, he dropped everything and went on a trip.

No aguanto más este trabajo, voy a dejarlo todo.

I can't stand this job anymore; I'm going to quit everything.

Often implies a radical decision to change one's life, sometimes impulsively. Can carry a sense of liberation or desperation.

Collocations

dejarlo todo porto drop everything forestar dispuesto a dejarlo todoto be willing to drop everything

Synonyms

abandonar todo renunciar a todo irse de todo

Antonyms

seguir adelante perseverar mantenerse firme

Related Phrases

dejar plantadophrasal verb

to stand someone up

dejar en pazphrasal verb

to leave alone

dejar caerphrasal verb

to drop (a hint or object)

Pro Tip

Context Matters

This phrase is almost always figurative. Literally, it would mean to physically leave behind all your belongings, but in practice, it refers to abandoning responsibilities, habits, or social roles. Avoid using it for minor decisions.

Gold Rule

Idiom vs. Literal Meaning

Never interpret 'dejarlo todo' literally. It’s not about leaving objects behind but about making a life-altering decision to walk away from commitments, jobs, or relationships.

Word Origin

The phrase combines the verb 'dejar' (to leave/abandon) with the pronoun 'lo' (it) and 'todo' (everything). The idiomatic meaning emerged from the literal sense of physically leaving behind all possessions or obligations, evolving into a metaphor for complete detachment from one's former life.

Usage Notes

Commonly used in personal contexts to describe drastic life changes, such as quitting a job, ending relationships, or moving abroad. Less formal than 'abandonar todo' but more vivid. Often implies a sense of urgency or emotional decision.

Word Breakdown

dejar

to leave/abandon

verb

it (direct object pronoun)

pronoun

todo

everything

pronoun

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