Portuguese Idioms In English

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Nothing is more annoying than translating something word for word and receiving a confused expression in return when learning a new language.

Consider translating the English phrase “it’s raining cats and dogs” into another language. Unless various domestic pets literally fall from the sky, it just doesn’t make sense.

The same can be said for Portuguese idioms.

If you translate the song “Malandro é malandro e mané é mané” literally, it doesn’t mean much: “a trickster is a trickster & a fool is a fool.” However, this phrase is an idiom like in the English language. It goes something like this “winners will be winners, and losers will be losers.” If you know this, the song becomes much more meaningful.

Learning Portuguese idioms will enhance your speech with that extra quality that will make the locals say, “Isso a cara!” (That’s it, man!) with admiration for your Portuguese knowledge, whether you’re a beginner or almost fluent in Portuguese.

How Can I Learn Portuguese Idioms?

An idiom is a collection of words that, when put together, create a new, nonliteral meaning. Idioms, like the English phrase “to beat around the bush,” don’t make much sense when read literally.

Idioms, in other words, are figurative language.

Portuguese idioms, when used correctly, can make you sound like a native.

You’ll hear them all the time, even if you don’t notice them. An idiom may appear out of place to those learning a new language until they learn what it means.

Idioms in Portuguese are a great way to spice up your language studies. It can also be an exciting way to learn new vocabulary that you would not have encountered otherwise.

There are 50 Portuguese idioms on this list, and that is just the tip of the iceberg (you see what we did there?).

So, how do you go about learning them all?

Unfortunately, learning Portuguese idioms requires memorization. Idioms, on the other hand, are usually quite illustrative and entertaining. Try drawing a picture that shows the idiom to help you remember it.

You can begin by learning one Portuguese idiom per week and then applying that idiom in your daily life. You could even write it out in example sentences or consider scenarios in which you might use it.

If you want to learn more idioms, look for a book on Portuguese idioms or look for places where idioms are frequently used, such as blog posts.

Idioms are also taught in more advanced online courses.

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Let’s start learning some Portuguese idioms!

Cara de pau

Literal translation: “wooden face.”

This Brazilian Portuguese idiom means that someone is acting shamelessly.

Do you remember those cat videos where the cat is about to knock something off the table, and the owner yells at the cat to stop? The cat then looks its owner in the eyes and promptly knocks the item off the table. That is an excellent example of cara de pau.

Portuguese Idioms In English 1

É muita areia para o meu caminhão

“This is a lot of sand for my truck,” literally translated.

Perhaps you’ve taken on too much. You work full-time, volunteer on weekends, attend night school and participate in a local sports league, and you just can’t say no.

This idiom refers to situations that are more than you can handle. It has a similar meaning to the English phrase “I’m way over my head.”

Maria vai com as outras

“Maria goes with the others,” the literal translation says.

This is the idiom to use if you want to call someone out for simply following the crowd or being a pack follower.

Uma andorinha não faz verão

“One swallow does not make a summer,” literally translated.

This idiom is also found in English but with a slightly different meaning. In English, it means that one occurrence of something does not imply that it is a trend.

Working together is more efficient than working alone, in Portuguese.

Cair a ficha

“To drop the token” is the literal translation.

Assume your friend is attempting to explain a physics concept, but it is simply not making sense. Finally, you grasp the concept! “Caiu a ficha!” you might say when this happens. (“I understand!”)

In other words, use this Brazilian expression when you have finally grasped something.

Ficar de molho

“To soak” is the literal translation.

You could use this phrase if you despise lying in bed all day. It is used to describe uncomfortable waiting or having to rest despite not wanting to.

You can say you have to ficar de molho if you get sick and have to stay home from work.

Comprar gato por lebre

“to buy a cat thinking it was a rabbit,” literal translation.

While this phrase can mean that you’ve been duped, the Brazilian idiom is typically used when discussing someone being duped in politics.

Sem eira nem beira

“Without land or a roof” is the literal translation.

When someone is without money, they are said to be sem eira nem beira, or destitute.

Ir para o olho da rua

The literal translation is “to go to the street’s eye.”

This idiom refers to being fired from one’s job. Someone can be mandado (sent) pro olho da rua.

Pôr o rabo entre as pernas

“To put one’s tail between one’s legs” is the literal translation.

We’ve all seen it. When a dog is scared, it tucks its tail between its legs. However, as a Portuguese idiom, it means to leave feeling ashamed.

Torcer o nariz

The literal translation is “to wiggle one’s nose.”

This idiom is a quick way to express disagreement with something. In English, it’s equivalent to saying you “turn your nose up” at something.

Ficar a ver navios

The literal translation is “to keep an eye on the ships.”

Ficar a ver navios is a Portuguese idiom that describes when someone waits for something to happen, but it never happens.

Portuguese Idioms In English 2

De noite todos gatos são pardos

“All night, all cats are gray,” the literal translation says.

Because it is difficult to see at night, even a cat with bright orange fur could appear gray, so the idiom is used to express how simple it is to make mistakes.

A carapuça serviu

“The hat fits,” literally translated.

This Portuguese idiom literally means “the hat fits,” which is similar to the English idiom “if the shoe fits.” When someone accidentally exposes themselves as guilty, you use this ironically.

So, if a person lies to you and then says something that outs them, you would say, “Serve-te carapuça?”

Coração de pedra

The literal translation is “stone heart.”

This phrase conjures up a mental image that corresponds to the meaning: it refers to someone who lacks empathy. We’d call it a “heart of ice” in English.

Quem vê cara, não coração

“Those who see faces do not see hearts,” according to the literal translation.

If you’re looking for the Portuguese equivalent of “do not judge a book by the cover,” this is it!

Partir o côco a rir

Literal translation: “to laugh while breaking the coconut.”

If you enjoy telling jokes, this idiom could be used to describe your audience. It refers to someone laughing so hard that they lose control.

Está para nascer um burro

Literally, “a donkey is about to be born.”

We all expect people we know to behave in certain ways. We’re surprised when they don’t.

This idiom refers to a person doing something so unusual that it’s difficult to believe.

Barata tonta

Translation: “dizzy cockroach.”

If you’ve ever seen a cockroach flee because it knows you’re about to smash it, you’ll understand this amusing Portuguese phrase.

It’s used to describe someone who is clumsy or disoriented, much like a cockroach after being smacked for the first time.

Ir com os porcos

“He went with the pigs,” the literal translation.

This is another way of saying that someone passed away or was eliminated. This is especially the case when it is someone you do not like, like a villain in a book. For example, “Ele foi com os porcos” (“he went with the pigs”).

Portuguese Idioms In English 3

Muitos anos a virar frangos

“Many years turning chickens” is the literal translation.

This Portuguese idiom implies that someone is an expert at something because they have spent so much time doing it.

Because chicken is frequently grilled in Portugal, someone who has been grilling chicken for a long period (turning it over on the grill) is an expert.

Pão pão queijo queijo

“bread bread cheese cheese” is the literal translation.

If you’re in a restaurant, make sure you don’t say it too loudly next to the waiter, or they might bring you extra bread and cheese!

In everyday language, however, this phrase means “it is what it is.”

Falar pelos cotovelos

“To speak by the elbows” is the literal translation.

My husband would say I falo pelos cotovelos, which means I talk a lot.

The Brazilian expression is derived from the idea that when you’re speaking with someone and they won’t let you finish your sentence, you touch their elbow to get their attention.

Estar feito ao bife

“To be done to the beef” is the literal translation.

This expression is used when you are faced with a problem that you are unsure how to solve.

Para inglês ver

“So the English can see it,” literally translated.

This idiom arose when Brazilian slave owners were expected to free their slaves after Brazil was recognized by the United Kingdom. Brazil passed legislation stating its intent to follow through, but it did not always do so.

As a result, the phrase “para inglês ver,” or the translation “so the English can see it,” was born. It is used to mean “only for show” or “to brag about.”

Ter macaquinhos na cabeça

Literally, “to have little monkeys inside your head.”

Isn’t the literal translation a strange image? This idiom describes someone who has unusual or illogical ideas.

Estar com pulga atrás da orelha

Literally, “to have a flea behind your ear.”

This idiom conjures up a dreadful mental image that may send shivers up your spine. Use it to indicate that someone is suspicious.

Bicho de sete cabeças

“Seven-headed beast” is the literal translation.

This idiom is used in the same way that the phrase “the very devil” is used in English to refer to a huge complication.

“This situation will deteriorate,” you might say. (This is going to be a challenging situation.) It is a bicho with seven heads.”

Atirar-se de cabeça

Literal translation: “to dive in headfirst.”

We have an idiom in English called “to dive headfirst,” which is an exact translation of the Portuguese idiom. It means to dive headfirst into something without giving it much thought.

Alimentar um burro pão de ló

“To feed the donkey sponge cake” is the literal translation.

Would you squander some delectable sponge cake on a donkey? Maybe if you really cared about that donkey. However, you’d probably prefer to eat the sponge cake yourself.

This amusing Portuguese proverb refers to treating someone well who does not deserve it.

Portuguese Idioms In English 4

Burro velho não aprende línguas

Literally, “an old donkey does not learn languages.”

In other words, a dog cannot be taught new tricks. That is the English translation of this idiom, which implies that people are generally stubborn.

Armar-se em carapau de corrida

The literal translation is “to race like a mackerel.”

Because the mackerel isn’t a particularly interesting fish, the idiom is used to describe someone who thinks he is a big shot but is really a nobody. (I apologize, mackerel!)

Cão que ladra não morde

The literal translation is “a barking dog does not bite.”

Do you know the expression “all bark and no bite?” This is a similar idiom. It is used to describe someone who threatens but is not dangerous.

Amigos, amigos, negócios à parte

“Friends, friends, business aside” is the literal translation.

This is a simple one: don’t mix friendship and business.

Fia-te na Virgem e não corras

“Trust the Virgin and don’t flee” is the literal translation.

The term “Virgin” in this context refers to the Virgin Mary. It implies that you should take action rather than hoping for a miracle.

This European idiom is said ironically as a warning. For example, if someone is in trouble and does nothing, you can tell them this phrase.

Estás a meter água

“You’re letting water in,” the literal translation says.

This is what you would say to someone who is making a fool of themselves.

Pagar o pato

Translation: “to pay for the duck.”

You’re pagando o pato when you take the blame for something that someone else did.

Pelo sim, pelo não

“By the yes, by the no” is the literal translation.

Replace the English phrase “just in case” with this Portuguese idiom.

Não há bela sem senão

“There is no beauty without an if,” the literal translation says.

This is used to argue that there is no such thing as perfection.

If you’re worried about your hair looking bad, this idiom can help you remember that perfect hair is impossible.

Não é a minha praia

“It’s not my beach,” literally translated.

To say, “it is not my thing,” you can use this idiom in this scenario.

Tomara-que-caia

“I hope it falls” is the literal translation.

This is an amusing Brazilian Portuguese phrase. In Portuguese, an “I hope it falls” is a strapless dress/shirt or a tube top.

Descascar o abacaxi

Translation: “peel the pineapple.”

This Portuguese idiom means “to find a solution.”

Can not get past the prickly exterior of pineapple towards the juicy goodness inside? Simply peel it! The issue has been resolved.

Portuguese Idioms In English 5

Enfiar o pé na jaca

The literal translation is “to put your foot in the breadfruit.”

Breadfruit is a very sticky Brazilian fruit. The phrase means, “just do it!”

You can say, “Vou enfiar o pé na jaca hoje!” if you’re on a diet and then meet up with your friends at a rodizio de pizza (for all-you-can-eat pizza restaurant). (“I’m going after it tonight!”)

Tempestade em copo d’agua

Literally, “a hurricane in a cup of water.”

This idiom refers to someone making a big deal out of something that is actually a minor issue. It’s akin to the English expression “a storm in a teacup.”

For example, if your friend is acting overly dramatic, you could say, “Para de fazer uma tempestade em copo d’agua!” (“Stop making such a big deal about nothing!”).

Dá Deus nozes quem não tem dentes

“God gives nuts to those who do not have teeth,” literally translated.

We’ve all met someone who doesn’t take advantage of opportunities that come their way—what a waste! This is the phrase used to describe them.

João sem braço

“John without arms” is the literal translation.

This Portuguese idiom dates back to a time when Portugal was at war. People who lost limbs were excused from fighting. It refers to someone who pretends to be helpless in order to get out of something or to play dumb.

Engolir sapos

“To swallow frogs” is the literal translation.

This idiom translates as “biting one’s tongue.” You could say this to a friend who is about to say something inappropriate.

Tirar o cavalinho da chuva

The literal translation is “to rescue the horse from the rain.”

This is used in place of the English phrase “Don’t count on it!”

The phrase comes from a time when horses were the primary mode of transportation. If they stayed at someone’s house, the host might offer to move their horse out of the rain and into a covered area.

It is now used ironically. Perhaps someone approaches you and boldly declares, “You are going rock climbing with me today,” but you despise rock climbing. “Tirar o cavalinho da chuva!” you might say.

Matar dois coelhos com uma tacada só

The literal translation is “to kill two rabbits with a single shot.”

This idiom is similar to the English idiom, which goes something like this “to kill two birds with one stone,” except that we’re hunting rabbits instead of birds in the Portuguese idiom.

Essentially, it means accomplishing two tasks with a single action, such as washing your dog in the bathtub while also thoroughly cleaning the bathroom.

A galinha do vizinho sempre é mais gorda

“The neighbor’s chicken is always fatter,” literally translated.

This idiom echoes the English idiom, “The grass is always greener on the other side.”

You can say this to a friend as a warning, reminding them to be content with what they have rather than comparing themselves to others.

Final Words

This list of Portuguese idioms may appear daunting, but they can be learned one at a time. Concentrate on one at a time, and you’ll be sounding like a native in no time!