Forget about translating every word literally! Portuguese is full of idiomatic gems, and the verb “dar” (to give) might just be the king of them all. It pops up everywhere! Here are 10 essential idioms with “dar” that will take your Portuguese to the next level.

1. Dar jeito → Come in handy.

Estou tão cansado! Agora dava-me jeito uma cama aqui no escritório.
I’m so tired! Now a bed here in the office would come in handy.

2. Dar a volta (a alguém) → Convince, persuade

– Achas que consegues dar a volta ao Carlos para ir ao jantar?
– Não sei, mas vou tentar.
– Do you think you could persuade Carlos to go to the dinner?
– I don’t know, but I’ll try.

3. Dar o nó → Get married

O Gabriel e a Teresa vão dar o nó em novembro.
Gabriel and Teresa are getting married in November.

4. Dar-se bem* → Get on well

O Henrique e o Pedro dão-se muito bem.
Henrique and Pedro get on very well.

* “Dar-se mal” has the opposite meaning.

5. Dar o braço a torcer → Yield, give in

Desta vez não tens razão. Anda lá, dá o braço a torcer.
This time you’re mistaken. Come on, you have to give me that.

6. Dar a cara → Show one’s face

Foste tu que organizaste a festa e convidaste a pessoas. Agora tens que dar a cara.
You’re the one who organized the party and invited all the people. Now you have to show your face.

7. Dar à graxa → Suck up to

Para de me dar à graxa!
Stop sucking up to me!

8. Dar certo* → Work out well

– Achas que o nosso plano vai dar certo?
– Claro que sim.
– Do you think our plan will work?
– Of course, it will.

* “Dar errado” has the opposite meaning.

9. Dar à sola → Flee, run away

Eles começaram a ameaçar-me e eu tive que dar à sola.
They started threatening me and I had to run away.

10. Dar em maluco→ Go crazy

Português! Eu dou em maluco com tantos verbos e conjugações.
Portuguese! I go crazy with so many verbs and conjugations.

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