Idioms

The phrases Portuguese speakers actually use

Status
Estar em pulgas
B1
anticipationanxiety

Estar em pulgas

The expression "estar em pulgas" describes someone who is restless, anxious, or excited, often unable to stay still. It conveys a sense...

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À rasca
B1
financial struggleimprovisation

À rasca

The expression "estar à rasca" (or "à rasquinha") is used when someone is in a tough spot, like when they’re out of...

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Na boa
B1
casual approvaleasy confidence

Na boa

The expression "na boa" is a casual way to say that everything's fine and there are no problems or obstacles. Depending on...

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Chutar para canto
B1
avoidanceproblem-solving

Chutar para canto

The expression "chutar para canto" means to deliberately avoid dealing with something or to ignore it on purpose. It's often used when...

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Sem pés nem cabeça
B1
illogical ideasnonsense meaning

Sem pés nem cabeça

The expression "sem pés nem cabeça" is used to describe something that doesn't make sense, is illogical, incoherent, or absurd. It's used...

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É capaz
B1
casual speechexpressing possibility

É capaz

The phrase "é capaz" is used to casually suggest that something is possible. It implies that something might be true, especially when...

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Desde que
B1
conditional usage

Desde que

"Desde que" can indicate the beginning of something, or it can set a condition. The meaning depends on the context.

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Por falar nisso
B1
conversation startertopic transition

Por falar nisso

"Por falar em" is used to bring up something related to the current topic or even to transition to a different subject.

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É canja
B1
easy task

É canja

The phrase "é canja" is a casual way of saying that something is very easy. It suggests that the task requires little...

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Feito a martelo
B1
hasty workpoor quality

Feito a martelo

The expression "feito a martelo" suggests that something was done in a hurry and carelessly. It implies poor quality and a lack...

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Xixi cama
B1
bedtime humorchildish speech

Xixi cama

The expression "xixi cama" refers to the way children talk and is used humorously by adults to signal that it's time to...

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