What exactly would "echarle ganas a" mean?

Question

I saw "Les digo que le echen ganas a la escuela para poder tener una carrera porque de otro modo no van a tener nada."

Answer 1

echale ganas = make a good effort

Answer 2

the english equivalent could be "put some weight into it" in the context of someone who is perceived to be slacking off on some task/job/assignment. "No seas flojo. Echala ganas al trabajo."

In general terms a less negative connotation is "to apply onself", as in "you should apply yourself in school" ie "echala ganas a la escuela"

Answer 3

I'm guessing with a bit of help from google translator. "I'm telling them to have the desire for schooling to have a career because otherwise they will not have anything."

Or rather "I tell them to work hard/ do their best in school in order to have a career because otherwise they will not have anything. - Iye, Oct 8, 2009

Answer 4

Keep at it.

Answer 5

yes, the previous answers are right, echarle ganas means that you have to put effort and will into something. In this case, it meant that you have to apply yourself to your school work and then you will have a good career, otherwise you won't have anything.

Answer 6

This is a shot in the dark but I think it might mean they threw in the towel or gave up. I am sure the gurus will weigh in soon.