10 Portuguese Idioms with the Verb “Ficar”

The Portuguese verb “ficar” is incredibly versatile, typically meaning “get” or “become.” But that’s just the beginning! I’m here to show you 10 common idiomatic expressions with “ficar” to make you sound more natural and even impress your native-speaker friends.

1. Ficar a ver navios → Be left stranded

O Joel perdeu o voo para Paris e ficou a ver navios.
Joel missed his flight to Paris and was left stranded.

2. Ficar a arder → Get ripped off

Emprestamos-lhe dinheiro e nunca mais o vimos. Ficamos a arder.
We lent him money and never saw it again. We got ripped off.

3. Ficar em pulgas → Get super excited (even nervous)

A Rita vai dar o seu primeiro concerto amanhã. Ela está em pulgas.
Rita is giving her first concert tomorrow. She’s super excited.

4. Ficar nas lonas → Go broke

O Joaquim foi despedido e ficou nas lonas.
Joaquim got fired and went broke.

5. Ficar nas horas → Get pissed off

Eu não liguei à Joana para lhe dar os parabéns e ela ficou nas horas.
I didn’t call Joana to say happy birthday to her and she got pissed off.

6. Ficar de mãos a abanar → Be left empty-handed

O governo prometeu uma subida nas pensões mas ficamos todos de mãos a abanar porque eles faltaram ao prometido.
The government promised a rise in pensions but we were all left empty-handed because they failed to deliver.

7. Ficar às aranhas → Be at loss or confused

Ontem a Júlia confrontou-me e eu fiquei às aranhas sem saber o que dizer.
Yesterday, Júlia confronted me, and I was completely at a loss for words.

8. Ficar entalado → Be at loss

Ontem fiquei entalado quando me pediram para fazer um discurso. Não tinha nada preparado.
Yesterday I froze up when I was asked to give a speech. I had nothing prepared.

9. Ficar em águas de bacalhau → Nothing gets done or decided

Acabamos por não decidir nada. Ficou tudo em águas de bacalhau.
We didn’t decide anything at the end. Everything remains open.

10. Ficar-se nas tintas → Showing indifference

Fico-me nas tintas para o que fazes ou dizes.
I don’t give a damn to what you do or say.

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