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...
Idioms
The phrases Portuguese speakers actually use
Watch nowEstar em pulgas
B1
making mistakesscrew up
Meter o pé na poça
The expression "meter o pé na poça" means to make a mistake or get yourself into trouble, often by saying or doing...
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...
B1
complicated situationsproblematic moments
Aí é que a porca torce o rabo
The expression "aí é que a porca torce o rabo" refers to the moment when things get complicated. It's used when a...
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...
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...
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...
B1
conflict escalationtension increase
Lançar achas na fogueira
The expression "lançar achas na fogueira" means making an already tense and problematic situation even worse instead of trying to calm things...
B1
contradictionstrong negation
Nem tão pouco mais ou menos
The expression "nem tão pouco mais ou menos" is a strong denial or refutation. It emphasizes that something is absolutely not the...
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...
B1
non-negotiable offer
É pegar ou largar
The term "é pegar ou largar" refers to making a non-negotiable offer.
B1
deep troublefinancial problems
Estar em maus lençóis
The expression "estar em maus lençóis" means being in serious trouble or in a tough, tricky situation.
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.
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.
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...
B1
control situation
Ter a faca e o queijo na mão
The expression "ter a faca e o queijo na mão" means being fully in control of a situation. It implies that the...
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...
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...
