Idiomatic Expressions - 1/21/25 Flashcards
Ele está sempre a meter o nariz onde não é chamado.
He’s always sticking his nose where he’s not called. (He’s always poking his nose into others’ business.)
Isso é conversa para boi dormir.
That’s talk to make the ox sleep. (That’s nonsense.)
Acordei com os pés de fora hoje.
I woke up with my feet out today. (I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.)
Ele anda a fazer tempestade num copo de água.
He’s making a storm in a glass of water. (He’s making a mountain out of a molehill.)
Estou com a pulga atrás da orelha com essa história.
I have the flea behind my ear with this story. (I’m suspicious about this story.)
Ela está com um grão na asa.
She has a grain on her wing. (She’s tipsy.)
Ele deu o braço a torcer no final da discussão.
He gave his arm to twist at the end of the argument. (He gave in.)
Falar pelos cotovelos é o passatempo preferido dele.
Talking through the elbows is his favorite pastime. (He talks too much.)
Estou a ver navios com esta conta complicada.
I’m seeing ships with this complicated bill. (I’m lost/confused.)
Não adianta chorar sobre leite derramado.
There’s no use crying over spilled milk. (It’s no use crying over spilled milk.)
Ele comeu gato por lebre no mercado.
He ate cat for hare at the market. (He was deceived.)
Vamos ver se ele vai separar o trigo do joio.
Let’s see if he separates the wheat from the chaff. (Let’s see if he discerns the good from the bad.)
Ela está a pôr as mãos no fogo por ele.
She’s putting her hands in the fire for him. (She’s vouching for him.)
Estou entre a espada e a parede com essa decisão.
I’m between the sword and the wall with this decision. (I’m between a rock and a hard place.)
O Pedro saiu a francês da festa ontem à noite.
Pedro left like a Frenchman from the party last night. (Pedro left without saying goodbye.)
Isso é só para inglês ver.
That’s just for the English to see. (That’s just for show.)
Ele está com água pela barba.
He’s got water up to his beard. (He’s in trouble.)
Vamos andar com o coração nas mãos até saber o resultado.
We’ll walk with our hearts in our hands until we know the result. (We’ll be anxious until we know the result.)
Ela é a última bolacha do pacote.
She’s the last cookie in the packet. (She thinks she’s the center of attention.)
Ele partiu a loiça toda na reunião.
He broke all the crockery in the meeting. (He shook things up.)
Quando o gato sai, os ratos fazem a festa.
When the cat leaves, the mice throw a party. (When the cat’s away, the mice will play.)
É melhor não contar com o ovo no cu da galinha.
It’s better not to count on the egg in the chicken’s backside. (Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.)
Andar com a cabeça nas nuvens não vai ajudar.
Walking with your head in the clouds won’t help. (Being absent-minded won’t help.)
Não faças isso, ou vais meter os pés pelas mãos.
Don’t do that, or you’ll put your feet in your hands. (You’ll mess things up.)
Ele está sempre com a faca e o queijo na mão.
He’s always with the knife and cheese in hand. (He’s always in control of the situation.)
Vamos falar sem papas na língua.
Let’s speak without mush in the tongue. (Let’s speak bluntly.)
Essa empresa tem o rei na barriga.
That company has the king in its belly. (That company is arrogant.)
Puxar a brasa à sua sardinha é típico dele.
Pulling the ember to his sardine is typical of him. (He always looks out for himself.)
Ele tem as costas quentes, por isso não se preocupa.
He has warm backs, so he doesn’t worry. (He has someone protecting him.)
Comprar gato por lebre é um risco nesse mercado.
Buying a cat for a hare is a risk in this market. (Being deceived is a risk in this market.)
Vamos meter a mão na massa e começar o projeto.
Let’s put our hands in the dough and start the project. (Let’s get to work.)
O João deu um nó na garganta ao ouvir a notícia.
João got a knot in his throat upon hearing the news. (João was choked up upon hearing the news.)
Ele prometeu mundos e fundos para ganhar votos.
He promised worlds and bottoms to win votes. (He promised the world to win votes.)
Estou com a pulga atrás da orelha com esse acordo.
I’ve got a flea behind my ear with this deal. (I’m suspicious about this deal.)
Não ponha a carroça na frente dos bois.
Don’t put the cart in front of the oxen. (Don’t put the cart before the horse.)
Ele faz tempestade em copo d’água.
He makes a storm in a glass of water. (He makes a mountain out of a molehill.)
Está tudo como água debaixo da ponte.
It’s all like water under the bridge. (It’s all water under the bridge.)
Essa ideia é tiro no pé.
That idea is a shot in the foot. (That idea will backfire.)
Vamos quebrar o galho para terminar isso a tempo.
Let’s break the branch to finish this on time. (Let’s improvise to finish this on time.)
Ele está no olho da rua agora.
He’s in the eye of the street now. (He’s been fired.)
Não podemos deixar a peteca cair.
We can’t let the shuttlecock fall. (We can’t let the ball drop.)
O segredo foi contado em cima da hora.
The secret was told on top of the hour. (The secret was told at the last minute.)
Ele está entre a cruz e a espada.
He’s between the cross and the sword. (He’s between a rock and a hard place.)
Vamos dar um jeitinho nisso.
Let’s give it a little way. (Let’s figure something out.)
A verdade veio à tona no final.
The truth came to the surface in the end. (The truth came to light in the end.)
Ela foi a cereja no topo do bolo na festa.
She was the cherry on top of the cake at the party. (She was the highlight of the party.)
Não adianta colocar panos quentes nessa situação.
It’s no use putting warm cloths on this situation. (It’s no use sugarcoating this situation.)
Ele não tem papas na língua quando fala a verdade.
He doesn’t have mush on his tongue when he speaks the truth. (He doesn’t mince words.)
Vamos andar devagar para não dar um passo maior que a perna.
Let’s walk slowly so we don’t take a step bigger than the leg. (Let’s not bite off more than we can chew.)
Ela ficou a ver navios depois que o projeto foi cancelado.
She was left seeing ships after the project was canceled. (She was left empty-handed.)
Ele é um pau para toda obra.
He’s a stick for every work. (He’s a jack of all trades.)
Não coloque a mão no fogo por ele.
Don’t put your hand in the fire for him. (Don’t vouch for him.)
O projeto foi aprovado em cima da hora.
The project was approved on top of the hour. (The project was approved at the last minute.)
Ele sempre está com um pé atrás em situações de risco.
He’s always with one foot behind in risky situations. (He’s always cautious in risky situations.)
Eles deram um tiro no escuro com essa estratégia.
They took a shot in the dark with this strategy. (They took a wild guess.)
Você pode fazer isso, mas cada um no seu quadrado.
You can do this, but everyone in their square. (Everyone should stick to their role.)
Ela não é flor que se cheire.
She’s not a flower to be smelled. (She’s not someone to be trusted.)
Ele fez o trabalho com as calças na mão.
He did the work with his pants in his hand. (He worked in a rush.)
Precisamos arrumar a casa antes da reunião.
We need to tidy up the house before the meeting. (We need to get organized before the meeting.)
Não adianta bater na mesma tecla.
It’s no use hitting the same key. (It’s no use repeating the same argument.)
Esse projeto é um tiro no escuro.
This project is a shot in the dark. (This project is a gamble.)
Ele é um peixe fora d’água nessa cidade.
He’s a fish out of water in this city. (He feels out of place in this city.)
Aquele jogador tem sangue nos olhos.
That player has blood in his eyes. (That player is highly determined.)
Ela passou a perna em todo mundo na negociação.
She passed the leg on everyone in the negotiation. (She outsmarted everyone in the negotiation.)
Ele está com a faca nos dentes para ganhar.
He’s with the knife in his teeth to win. (He’s determined to win.)
O clima ficou pesado depois da discussão.
The atmosphere became heavy after the argument. (The mood became tense after the argument.)
Não adianta jogar conversa fora agora.
It’s no use throwing conversation away now. (It’s no use wasting time talking now.)
Ele não sabe nadar e está a remar contra a maré.
He doesn’t know how to swim and is rowing against the tide. (He’s going against the odds.)
Estamos todos no mesmo barco com esse problema.
We’re all in the same boat with this problem. (We’re all in this together.)
Não dê murro em ponta de faca.
Don’t punch the tip of a knife. (Don’t waste your efforts on something futile.)
Ele foi com muita sede ao pote e acabou se machucando.
He went with too much thirst to the pot and ended up hurting himself. (He rushed into something and got hurt.)
Ela está no olho do furacão com tantas tarefas.
She’s in the eye of the hurricane with so many tasks. (She’s overwhelmed with so many tasks.)
O chefe sempre corta as asinhas de quem se destaca.
The boss always cuts the wings of those who stand out. (The boss always undermines ambitious employees.)
Ele pegou no sono durante a aula.
He caught sleep during the class. (He dozed off during the class.)
Não coloque todos os ovos na mesma cesta.
Don’t put all the eggs in the same basket. (Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.)
Ela deu com a língua nos dentes e contou o segredo.
She gave with the tongue on the teeth and spilled the secret. (She let the cat out of the bag.)
Ele virou o bicho quando ouviu a notícia.
He turned into the animal when he heard the news. (He lost his temper when he heard the news.)
Não faça tempestade em copo d’água.
Don’t make a storm in a glass of water. (Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.)
Estamos a juntar os cacos depois do incidente.
We’re gathering the shards after the incident. (We’re picking up the pieces after the incident.)
O professor cortou as asas dos alunos desatentos.
The teacher cut the wings of the inattentive students. (The teacher disciplined the inattentive students.)
Ele jogou tudo para o alto e mudou de vida.
He threw everything to the top and changed his life. (He gave everything up and started over.)
Estamos a pisar em ovos com essa situação delicada.
We’re walking on eggs with this delicate situation. (We’re treading carefully with this situation.)
Ele deu a volta por cima depois da crise.
He turned the top over after the crisis. (He bounced back after the crisis.)
O time está com a corda no pescoço no campeonato.
The team has the rope around its neck in the championship. (The team is in a tight spot in the championship.)
Ela quebrou a cabeça tentando resolver o enigma.
She broke her head trying to solve the puzzle. (She racked her brain trying to solve the puzzle.)
Não entre em pânico, estamos no mesmo barco.
Don’t panic; we’re in the same boat. (Don’t panic; we’re in this together.)
Ele virou a casaca quando viu que ia perder.
He turned his coat when he saw he was going to lose. (He changed sides when he saw he was going to lose.)
Estamos a colher os frutos do nosso esforço.
We’re reaping the fruits of our effort. (We’re reaping the rewards of our effort.)
Não conte com o ovo antes de a galinha botar.
Don’t count on the egg before the chicken lays it. (Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.)
Vamos virar a página e começar do zero.
Let’s turn the page and start from zero. (Let’s move on and start fresh.)
Ele está com a cabeça a mil por causa do trabalho.
His head is at a thousand because of work. (He’s overwhelmed with work.)
Não é fácil nadar contra a corrente.
It’s not easy to swim against the current. (It’s not easy to go against the flow.)
Estamos a andar em círculos com essa discussão.
We’re walking in circles with this discussion. (We’re going around in circles with this discussion.)
Ele passou a perna em todos na competição.
He passed the leg on everyone in the competition. (He outsmarted everyone in the competition.)
Não tem jeito, ele vai sempre arrumar sarna para se coçar.
There’s no way, he will always find scabies to scratch. (He’ll always find trouble for himself.)
Depois de tanto esforço, finalmente ele tirou a barriga da miséria.
After so much effort, he finally took his belly out of misery. (He finally had a feast.)
Ela está a dar o pulo do gato para conseguir o emprego.
She’s giving the cat’s jump to get the job. (She’s using a clever trick to get the job.)
Vamos separar as águas antes de tomar uma decisão.
Let’s separate the waters before making a decision. (Let’s clarify things before deciding.)
Ele não tem onde cair morto.
He has nowhere to fall dead. (He’s dirt poor.)
Esse problema é fácil, está na cara.
This problem is easy; it’s on the face. (This problem is obvious.)
Ele trabalha devagar, mas vai comendo pelas beiradas.
He works slowly but eats along the edges. (He achieves his goals little by little.)
Foi direto ao ponto sem rodeios.
He went straight to the point without detours. (He got straight to the point.)
Não adianta tapar o sol com a peneira.
It’s no use covering the sun with a sieve. (It’s no use hiding the obvious.)
A situação é urgente, temos de matar a cobra e mostrar o pau.
The situation is urgent; we have to kill the snake and show the stick. (We have to prove what we’ve done.)
Ele está com a macaca hoje.
He’s with the monkey today. (He’s acting crazy today.)
Cuidado para não dar com os burros n’água.
Be careful not to give the donkeys in the water. (Be careful not to fail.)
Ele passou por um aperto durante a viagem.
He went through a tight spot during the trip. (He faced a difficult situation during the trip.)
Está na hora de virar o disco e mudar de assunto.
It’s time to turn the record and change the subject. (It’s time to move on and talk about something else.)
Ela cortou um dobrado para terminar o trabalho a tempo.
She folded a double to finish the work on time. (She struggled a lot to finish the work on time.)
Ele tem memória de elefante, nunca esquece nada.
He has an elephant’s memory, he never forgets anything. (He has a very good memory.)
Fiquei a ver navios enquanto todos comemoravam.
I was left seeing ships while everyone celebrated. (I was left out while everyone celebrated.)
Ele está batendo na mesma tecla há horas.
He’s hitting the same key for hours. (He’s repeating the same argument for hours.)
Não adianta enfiar o pé na jaca agora.
It’s no use sticking your foot in the jackfruit now. (It’s no use making things worse now.)
Eles deram com a porta na cara dele.
They gave him the door in the face. (They shut him out.)
Ela fez tudo em cima do joelho, sem planejar nada.
She did everything on top of the knee, without planning anything. (She did everything haphazardly.)
Vamos deixar as coisas claras antes de dar o primeiro passo.
Let’s make things clear before taking the first step. (Let’s clarify everything first.)
Ele perdeu a linha e começou a gritar.
He lost the line and started shouting. (He lost control and started shouting.)
A proposta foi aceita, mas não foi nenhuma Brastemp.
The proposal was accepted, but it wasn’t any Brastemp. (The proposal was accepted, but it wasn’t great.)
Não precisa dar murro em ponta de faca.
There’s no need to punch the tip of a knife. (There’s no need to waste effort on something pointless.)
Ele não é nenhum santo, mas tem boas intenções.
He’s no saint, but he has good intentions. (He’s not perfect, but he means well.)
O tempo está fechado, é melhor não sair agora.
The weather is closed; it’s better not to go out now. (The weather is bad; it’s better to stay in.)
Não vá se meter em um beco sem saída.
Don’t get yourself into a dead-end alley. (Don’t get yourself into a hopeless situation.)
Ela ficou boquiaberta com a notícia.
She was open-mouthed with the news. (She was stunned by the news.)
Não conte vantagem antes da hora.
Don’t count your advantage before the time. (Don’t brag too soon.)
A reunião foi um banho de água fria para todos.
The meeting was a cold water bath for everyone. (The meeting was a disappointment for everyone.)
Ele só coloca lenha na fogueira durante as discussões.
He only adds wood to the fire during arguments. (He only makes things worse during arguments.)
Não vamos empurrar com a barriga, precisamos resolver isso agora.
Let’s not push with the belly; we need to solve this now. (Let’s not procrastinate; we need to solve this now.)
O chefe soltou os cachorros na equipe por causa do atraso.
The boss released the dogs on the team because of the delay. (The boss scolded the team because of the delay.)
Ele levou a sério, mas era só uma piada de mau gosto.
He took it seriously, but it was just a bad joke. (He took it seriously, but it was just a prank.)
Estou no escuro sobre o que vai acontecer.
I’m in the dark about what will happen. (I have no idea what will happen.)
Ele chegou com a corda toda para a reunião.
He arrived with the whole rope for the meeting. (He arrived full of energy for the meeting.)
Não adianta bater cabeça, precisamos de uma solução.
It’s no use hitting your head; we need a solution. (It’s no use struggling without a plan.)
Ele quebrou o protocolo e tomou a palavra.
He broke the protocol and took the floor. (He broke the rules and started speaking.)
Vamos colocar os pingos nos is antes de seguir em frente.
Let’s put the dots on the Is before moving forward. (Let’s clarify everything before proceeding.)
Ele está sempre com a cabeça na lua.
He’s always with his head on the moon. (He’s always daydreaming.)
Não podemos deixar o barco correr assim.
We can’t let the boat run like this. (We can’t let things go unchecked.)
Foi um tiro pela culatra e causou mais problemas.
It was a shot by the butt and caused more problems. (It backfired and caused more problems.)
Ela está com o coração apertado de preocupação.
She’s with a tight heart of worry. (She’s deeply worried.)
Ele está em maus lençóis por causa das dívidas.
He’s in bad sheets because of the debts. (He’s in trouble because of the debts.)
Não vamos trocar os pés pelas mãos.
Let’s not swap the feet for the hands. (Let’s not mess things up.)
Ele vendeu gato por lebre no mercado.
He sold a cat for a hare in the market. (He deceived people in the market.)
He’s always sticking his nose where he’s not called. (He’s always poking his nose into others’ business.)
Ele está sempre a meter o nariz onde não é chamado.
That’s talk to make the ox sleep. (That’s nonsense.)
Isso é conversa para boi dormir.
I woke up with my feet out today. (I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.)
Acordei com os pés de fora hoje.
He’s making a storm in a glass of water. (He’s making a mountain out of a molehill.)
Ele anda a fazer tempestade num copo de água.
I have the flea behind my ear with this story. (I’m suspicious about this story.)
Estou com a pulga atrás da orelha com essa história.
She has a grain on her wing. (She’s tipsy.)
Ela está com um grão na asa.
He gave his arm to twist at the end of the argument. (He gave in.)
Ele deu o braço a torcer no final da discussão.
Talking through the elbows is his favorite pastime. (He talks too much.)
Falar pelos cotovelos é o passatempo preferido dele.
I’m seeing ships with this complicated bill. (I’m lost/confused.)
Estou a ver navios com esta conta complicada.
There’s no use crying over spilled milk. (It’s no use crying over spilled milk.)
Não adianta chorar sobre leite derramado.
He ate cat for hare at the market. (He was deceived.)
Ele comeu gato por lebre no mercado.
Let’s see if he separates the wheat from the chaff. (Let’s see if he discerns the good from the bad.)
Vamos ver se ele vai separar o trigo do joio.
She’s putting her hands in the fire for him. (She’s vouching for him.)
Ela está a pôr as mãos no fogo por ele.
I’m between the sword and the wall with this decision. (I’m between a rock and a hard place.)
Estou entre a espada e a parede com essa decisão.
Pedro left like a Frenchman from the party last night. (Pedro left without saying goodbye.)
O Pedro saiu a francês da festa ontem à noite.
That’s just for the English to see. (That’s just for show.)
Isso é só para inglês ver.
He’s got water up to his beard. (He’s in trouble.)
Ele está com água pela barba.
We’ll walk with our hearts in our hands until we know the result. (We’ll be anxious until we know the result.)
Vamos andar com o coração nas mãos até saber o resultado.
She’s the last cookie in the packet. (She thinks she’s the center of attention.)
Ela é a última bolacha do pacote.
He broke all the crockery in the meeting. (He shook things up.)
Ele partiu a loiça toda na reunião.
When the cat leaves, the mice throw a party. (When the cat’s away, the mice will play.)
Quando o gato sai, os ratos fazem a festa.
It’s better not to count on the egg in the chicken’s backside. (Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.)
É melhor não contar com o ovo no cu da galinha.
Walking with your head in the clouds won’t help. (Being absent-minded won’t help.)
Andar com a cabeça nas nuvens não vai ajudar.
Don’t do that, or you’ll put your feet in your hands. (You’ll mess things up.)
Não faças isso, ou vais meter os pés pelas mãos.
He’s always with the knife and cheese in hand. (He’s always in control of the situation.)
Ele está sempre com a faca e o queijo na mão.
Let’s speak without mush in the tongue. (Let’s speak bluntly.)
Vamos falar sem papas na língua.
That company has the king in its belly. (That company is arrogant.)
Essa empresa tem o rei na barriga.
Pulling the ember to his sardine is typical of him. (He always looks out for himself.)
Puxar a brasa à sua sardinha é típico dele.
He has warm backs, so he doesn’t worry. (He has someone protecting him.)
Ele tem as costas quentes, por isso não se preocupa.
Buying a cat for a hare is a risk in this market. (Being deceived is a risk in this market.)
Comprar gato por lebre é um risco nesse mercado.
Let’s put our hands in the dough and start the project. (Let’s get to work.)
Vamos meter a mão na massa e começar o projeto.
João got a knot in his throat upon hearing the news. (João was choked up upon hearing the news.)
O João deu um nó na garganta ao ouvir a notícia.
He promised worlds and bottoms to win votes. (He promised the world to win votes.)
Ele prometeu mundos e fundos para ganhar votos.
I’ve got a flea behind my ear with this deal. (I’m suspicious about this deal.)
Estou com a pulga atrás da orelha com esse acordo.
Don’t put the cart in front of the oxen. (Don’t put the cart before the horse.)
Não ponha a carroça na frente dos bois.
He makes a storm in a glass of water. (He makes a mountain out of a molehill.)
Ele faz tempestade em copo d’água.
It’s all like water under the bridge. (It’s all water under the bridge.)
Está tudo como água debaixo da ponte.
That idea is a shot in the foot. (That idea will backfire.)
Essa ideia é tiro no pé.
Let’s break the branch to finish this on time. (Let’s improvise to finish this on time.)
Vamos quebrar o galho para terminar isso a tempo.
He’s in the eye of the street now. (He’s been fired.)
Ele está no olho da rua agora.
We can’t let the shuttlecock fall. (We can’t let the ball drop.)
Não podemos deixar a peteca cair.
The secret was told on top of the hour. (The secret was told at the last minute.)
O segredo foi contado em cima da hora.
He’s between the cross and the sword. (He’s between a rock and a hard place.)
Ele está entre a cruz e a espada.
Let’s give it a little way. (Let’s figure something out.)
Vamos dar um jeitinho nisso.
The truth came to the surface in the end. (The truth came to light in the end.)
A verdade veio à tona no final.
She was the cherry on top of the cake at the party. (She was the highlight of the party.)
Ela foi a cereja no topo do bolo na festa.
It’s no use putting warm cloths on this situation. (It’s no use sugarcoating this situation.)
Não adianta colocar panos quentes nessa situação.
He doesn’t have mush on his tongue when he speaks the truth. (He doesn’t mince words.)
Ele não tem papas na língua quando fala a verdade.
Let’s walk slowly so we don’t take a step bigger than the leg. (Let’s not bite off more than we can chew.)
Vamos andar devagar para não dar um passo maior que a perna.
She was left seeing ships after the project was canceled. (She was left empty-handed.)
Ela ficou a ver navios depois que o projeto foi cancelado.
He’s a stick for every work. (He’s a jack of all trades.)
Ele é um pau para toda obra.
Don’t put your hand in the fire for him. (Don’t vouch for him.)
Não coloque a mão no fogo por ele.
The project was approved on top of the hour. (The project was approved at the last minute.)
O projeto foi aprovado em cima da hora.
He’s always with one foot behind in risky situations. (He’s always cautious in risky situations.)
Ele sempre está com um pé atrás em situações de risco.
They took a shot in the dark with this strategy. (They took a wild guess.)
Eles deram um tiro no escuro com essa estratégia.
You can do this, but everyone in their square. (Everyone should stick to their role.)
Você pode fazer isso, mas cada um no seu quadrado.
She’s not a flower to be smelled. (She’s not someone to be trusted.)
Ela não é flor que se cheire.
He did the work with his pants in his hand. (He worked in a rush.)
Ele fez o trabalho com as calças na mão.
We need to tidy up the house before the meeting. (We need to get organized before the meeting.)
Precisamos arrumar a casa antes da reunião.
It’s no use hitting the same key. (It’s no use repeating the same argument.)
Não adianta bater na mesma tecla.
This project is a shot in the dark. (This project is a gamble.)
Esse projeto é um tiro no escuro.
He’s a fish out of water in this city. (He feels out of place in this city.)
Ele é um peixe fora d’água nessa cidade.
That player has blood in his eyes. (That player is highly determined.)
Aquele jogador tem sangue nos olhos.
She passed the leg on everyone in the negotiation. (She outsmarted everyone in the negotiation.)
Ela passou a perna em todo mundo na negociação.
He’s with the knife in his teeth to win. (He’s determined to win.)
Ele está com a faca nos dentes para ganhar.
The atmosphere became heavy after the argument. (The mood became tense after the argument.)
O clima ficou pesado depois da discussão.
It’s no use throwing conversation away now. (It’s no use wasting time talking now.)
Não adianta jogar conversa fora agora.
He doesn’t know how to swim and is rowing against the tide. (He’s going against the odds.)
Ele não sabe nadar e está a remar contra a maré.
We’re all in the same boat with this problem. (We’re all in this together.)
Estamos todos no mesmo barco com esse problema.
Don’t punch the tip of a knife. (Don’t waste your efforts on something futile.)
Não dê murro em ponta de faca.
He went with too much thirst to the pot and ended up hurting himself. (He rushed into something and got hurt.)
Ele foi com muita sede ao pote e acabou se machucando.
She’s in the eye of the hurricane with so many tasks. (She’s overwhelmed with so many tasks.)
Ela está no olho do furacão com tantas tarefas.
The boss always cuts the wings of those who stand out. (The boss always undermines ambitious employees.)
O chefe sempre corta as asinhas de quem se destaca.
He caught sleep during the class. (He dozed off during the class.)
Ele pegou no sono durante a aula.
Don’t put all the eggs in the same basket. (Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.)
Não coloque todos os ovos na mesma cesta.
She gave with the tongue on the teeth and spilled the secret. (She let the cat out of the bag.)
Ela deu com a língua nos dentes e contou o segredo.
He turned into the animal when he heard the news. (He lost his temper when he heard the news.)
Ele virou o bicho quando ouviu a notícia.
Don’t make a storm in a glass of water. (Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.)
Não faça tempestade em copo d’água.
We’re gathering the shards after the incident. (We’re picking up the pieces after the incident.)
Estamos a juntar os cacos depois do incidente.
The teacher cut the wings of the inattentive students. (The teacher disciplined the inattentive students.)
O professor cortou as asas dos alunos desatentos.
He threw everything to the top and changed his life. (He gave everything up and started over.)
Ele jogou tudo para o alto e mudou de vida.
We’re walking on eggs with this delicate situation. (We’re treading carefully with this situation.)
Estamos a pisar em ovos com essa situação delicada.
He turned the top over after the crisis. (He bounced back after the crisis.)
Ele deu a volta por cima depois da crise.
The team has the rope around its neck in the championship. (The team is in a tight spot in the championship.)
O time está com a corda no pescoço no campeonato.
She broke her head trying to solve the puzzle. (She racked her brain trying to solve the puzzle.)
Ela quebrou a cabeça tentando resolver o enigma.
Don’t panic; we’re in the same boat. (Don’t panic; we’re in this together.)
Não entre em pânico, estamos no mesmo barco.
He turned his coat when he saw he was going to lose. (He changed sides when he saw he was going to lose.)
Ele virou a casaca quando viu que ia perder.
We’re reaping the fruits of our effort. (We’re reaping the rewards of our effort.)
Estamos a colher os frutos do nosso esforço.
Don’t count on the egg before the chicken lays it. (Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.)
Não conte com o ovo antes de a galinha botar.
Let’s turn the page and start from zero. (Let’s move on and start fresh.)
Vamos virar a página e começar do zero.
His head is at a thousand because of work. (He’s overwhelmed with work.)
Ele está com a cabeça a mil por causa do trabalho.
It’s not easy to swim against the current. (It’s not easy to go against the flow.)
Não é fácil nadar contra a corrente.
We’re walking in circles with this discussion. (We’re going around in circles with this discussion.)
Estamos a andar em círculos com essa discussão.
He passed the leg on everyone in the competition. (He outsmarted everyone in the competition.)
Ele passou a perna em todos na competição.
There’s no way, he will always find scabies to scratch. (He’ll always find trouble for himself.)
Não tem jeito, ele vai sempre arrumar sarna para se coçar.
After so much effort, he finally took his belly out of misery. (He finally had a feast.)
Depois de tanto esforço, finalmente ele tirou a barriga da miséria.
She’s giving the cat’s jump to get the job. (She’s using a clever trick to get the job.)
Ela está a dar o pulo do gato para conseguir o emprego.
Let’s separate the waters before making a decision. (Let’s clarify things before deciding.)
Vamos separar as águas antes de tomar uma decisão.
He has nowhere to fall dead. (He’s dirt poor.)
Ele não tem onde cair morto.
This problem is easy; it’s on the face. (This problem is obvious.)
Esse problema é fácil, está na cara.
He works slowly but eats along the edges. (He achieves his goals little by little.)
Ele trabalha devagar, mas vai comendo pelas beiradas.
He went straight to the point without detours. (He got straight to the point.)
Foi direto ao ponto sem rodeios.
It’s no use covering the sun with a sieve. (It’s no use hiding the obvious.)
Não adianta tapar o sol com a peneira.
The situation is urgent; we have to kill the snake and show the stick. (We have to prove what we’ve done.)
A situação é urgente, temos de matar a cobra e mostrar o pau.
He’s with the monkey today. (He’s acting crazy today.)
Ele está com a macaca hoje.
Be careful not to give the donkeys in the water. (Be careful not to fail.)
Cuidado para não dar com os burros n’água.
He went through a tight spot during the trip. (He faced a difficult situation during the trip.)
Ele passou por um aperto durante a viagem.
It’s time to turn the record and change the subject. (It’s time to move on and talk about something else.)
Está na hora de virar o disco e mudar de assunto.
She folded a double to finish the work on time. (She struggled a lot to finish the work on time.)
Ela cortou um dobrado para terminar o trabalho a tempo.
He has an elephant’s memory, he never forgets anything. (He has a very good memory.)
Ele tem memória de elefante, nunca esquece nada.
I was left seeing ships while everyone celebrated. (I was left out while everyone celebrated.)
Fiquei a ver navios enquanto todos comemoravam.
He’s hitting the same key for hours. (He’s repeating the same argument for hours.)
Ele está batendo na mesma tecla há horas.
It’s no use sticking your foot in the jackfruit now. (It’s no use making things worse now.)
Não adianta enfiar o pé na jaca agora.
They gave him the door in the face. (They shut him out.)
Eles deram com a porta na cara dele.
She did everything on top of the knee, without planning anything. (She did everything haphazardly.)
Ela fez tudo em cima do joelho, sem planejar nada.
Let’s make things clear before taking the first step. (Let’s clarify everything first.)
Vamos deixar as coisas claras antes de dar o primeiro passo.
He lost the line and started shouting. (He lost control and started shouting.)
Ele perdeu a linha e começou a gritar.
The proposal was accepted, but it wasn’t any Brastemp. (The proposal was accepted, but it wasn’t great.)
A proposta foi aceita, mas não foi nenhuma Brastemp.
There’s no need to punch the tip of a knife. (There’s no need to waste effort on something pointless.)
Não precisa dar murro em ponta de faca.
He’s no saint, but he has good intentions. (He’s not perfect, but he means well.)
Ele não é nenhum santo, mas tem boas intenções.
The weather is closed; it’s better not to go out now. (The weather is bad; it’s better to stay in.)
O tempo está fechado, é melhor não sair agora.
Don’t get yourself into a dead-end alley. (Don’t get yourself into a hopeless situation.)
Não vá se meter em um beco sem saída.
She was open-mouthed with the news. (She was stunned by the news.)
Ela ficou boquiaberta com a notícia.
Don’t count your advantage before the time. (Don’t brag too soon.)
Não conte vantagem antes da hora.
The meeting was a cold water bath for everyone. (The meeting was a disappointment for everyone.)
A reunião foi um banho de água fria para todos.
He only adds wood to the fire during arguments. (He only makes things worse during arguments.)
Ele só coloca lenha na fogueira durante as discussões.
Let’s not push with the belly; we need to solve this now. (Let’s not procrastinate; we need to solve this now.)
Não vamos empurrar com a barriga, precisamos resolver isso agora.
The boss released the dogs on the team because of the delay. (The boss scolded the team because of the delay.)
O chefe soltou os cachorros na equipe por causa do atraso.
He took it seriously, but it was just a bad joke. (He took it seriously, but it was just a prank.)
Ele levou a sério, mas era só uma piada de mau gosto.
I’m in the dark about what will happen. (I have no idea what will happen.)
Estou no escuro sobre o que vai acontecer.
He arrived with the whole rope for the meeting. (He arrived full of energy for the meeting.)
Ele chegou com a corda toda para a reunião.
It’s no use hitting your head; we need a solution. (It’s no use struggling without a plan.)
Não adianta bater cabeça, precisamos de uma solução.
He broke the protocol and took the floor. (He broke the rules and started speaking.)
Ele quebrou o protocolo e tomou a palavra.
Let’s put the dots on the Is before moving forward. (Let’s clarify everything before proceeding.)
Vamos colocar os pingos nos is antes de seguir em frente.
He’s always with his head on the moon. (He’s always daydreaming.)
Ele está sempre com a cabeça na lua.
We can’t let the boat run like this. (We can’t let things go unchecked.)
Não podemos deixar o barco correr assim.
It was a shot by the butt and caused more problems. (It backfired and caused more problems.)
Foi um tiro pela culatra e causou mais problemas.
She’s with a tight heart of worry. (She’s deeply worried.)
Ela está com o coração apertado de preocupação.
He’s in bad sheets because of the debts. (He’s in trouble because of the debts.)
Ele está em maus lençóis por causa das dívidas.
Let’s not swap the feet for the hands. (Let’s not mess things up.)
Não vamos trocar os pés pelas mãos.
He sold a cat for a hare in the market. (He deceived people in the market.)
Ele vendeu gato por lebre no mercado.
