what does "jugar" mean in context? hint: it doesn't mean play

Question

I'm reading an article about the crime problem in the Province of Buenos Aires (outside the capital of Buenos Aires). This particular paragraph begins by talking about the weapons the criminals have. Then there is this:

"Los policías se la juegan en los lugares más alejados como Virrey del Pino. Esta semana, por ejemplo, un grupo de delincuentes fue sorprendido cuando intentaba realizar una entradera (home invasion). ..."It goes on to say that the police detained them.

Given the context, does jugar have something to do with staking out? Anyway, what does "se la juegan" mean?

Answer 1

take their chances

lol...you type very fast amigo. - 007c5fc1, Aug 23, 2014

haha! That is why I always have typos. I just type whats on my mind at the time. I like your answer. : ) - jphip, Aug 23, 2014

I like this answer - gringojrf, Aug 25, 2014

Answer 2

I would say "risk it (all)"

http://www.spanishdict.com/translate/jugar

1. to risk (arriesgar) also: • jugársela a alguien to play a dirty trick on somebody

exponerse a perder) (en una apuesta consciente) to stake

nos jugamos mucho en esta operación we're staking a lot on this operation

los sindicatos se estan jugando algo más que las reinvindicaciones sobre la reforma del mercado laboralthe trade unions are staking somewhat more than their demands for reform of the labour market

jugárselo todo en algo to stake everything on sth

jugarse el todo por el todo en algo

ambos equipos se lo juegan todo hoy both teams are staking everything on today's match nuestro atleta se lo juega todo en esta última pruebael partido se lo juega todo en estas eleccionesel primer ministro se había jugado el todo por el todo en las expropiaciones

jugársela

conducir más deprisa hubiera sido jugársela to drive any faster would have been too risky;España se la juega ante Italia esta noche Spain is staking everything on their match with Italy tonight durante la transición tras la muerte de Franco el rey se la jugó muchas vecesPresidir la Unión

Europea es más un embolado que un honor. /Hoy, España empieza a jugársela/ jugarse el todo por el todo to take the plunge

See below I hink their "take their chances" is probably even better. :) - bosquederoble, Aug 23, 2014

The fact that these boxes randomly drop some of my letters is about to drive me over the edge: think. I really do know how to type. :( - bosquederoble, Aug 23, 2014

Thanks for your comment to my answer. I could not think of what "la" would stand for. - Jubilado, Aug 23, 2014

No problem, I frequently don't think of something right off the bat either. ;) - bosquederoble, Aug 23, 2014

Answer 3

'Take their chances'

: ) - jphip, Aug 23, 2014

Answer 4

But, before I leave this issue, can someone explain the breakdown of se la juegan. In other words, what does the "la" refer to? And the "se"?

The pronominal transitive verb jugarse means to gamble or to risk and implies a direct object which is why la is put in the expression. "Take their chances" is a good English translation for this context.

See this dictionary entry:

jugar

I suspect the "la" here might be "la vida" - :) - bosquederoble, Aug 23, 2014

once again, thank you. really good, clarifying answers. Learned something new today. - malbecblend, Aug 23, 2014

Answer 5

Ahh, "take their chances," yes, that makes sense in this context. That had not occurred to me. Thanks all. But, before I leave this issue, can someone explain the breakdown of se la juegan. In other words, what does the "la" refer to? And the "se"? Maybe I'd understand it better if I knew how to say "I take my chances" or "you take your chances" etc.