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The phrases Portuguese speakers actually use
De mal a pior
From bad to worse
A expressão de mal a pior descreve uma situação em que as coisas continuam a piorar progressivamente, seja na saúde, nas finanças, nas relações ou noutras circunstâncias.
Example:
- – Como é que vai a vida? – Vai de mal a pior!
- – How’s life? – It’s going from bad to worse.
Transcript
Esticar a corda.
Keep going
anticipationfuture events
Estar ansioso por
The expression "estar ansioso por" conveys anticipation and excitement, often about something that's going to happen.
mental distractionspaced out
Estar na lua
"Estar na lua" means being distracted or mentally absent. It's used when someone isn't paying attention to what's going on around them.
emotional nuanceemphasis usage
Nem sequer
The expression "nem sequer" emphasizes that not even the bare minimum happened. It adds an emotional weight, often expressing neglect, surprise, or disappointment.
Distant placeRemoteness
No cu de judas
"No cu de Judas" describes a place that is very far away and hard to reach. Vulgar, common in informal spoken Portuguese.
precaution
Pelo sim pelo não
"Pelo sim pelo não" means taking precautions—doing something "just in case" you end up needing it.
fingers crossedgood luck
Fazer figas
The expression "fazer figas" is used to wish someone luck and show support before something uncertain or important, like a test or a big…
