Fixed Expressions Flashcards

Question

Dor de cotovelo

Answer 1

**Meaning:** Jealousy, envy
**Nuance:** Feeling envious of someone else's success or possessions.
**Ex (PT):** Ele tem dor de cotovelo do teu carro novo.
**Ex (EN):** He's jealous of your new car.

Answer 2

**Meaning:** To make things clear, be specific
**Nuance:** To clarify details and leave no room for doubt.
**Ex (PT):** Precisamos de pôr os pontos nos is antes de assinar.
**Ex (EN):** We need to make things clear before signing.

Answer 3

**Meaning:** To call a spade a spade
**Nuance:** To speak directly and honestly, without euphemisms.
**Ex (PT):** Ele é muito direto, é pão, pão, queijo, queijo.
**Ex (EN):** He's very direct, he calls a spade a spade.

Answer 4

**Meaning:** I'm fed up/tired (of)
**Nuance:** Very common way to express frustration or tiredness with something.
**Ex (PT):** Estou farta deste barulho!
**Ex (EN):** I'm fed up with this noise!

Answer 5

**Meaning:** To suck up, flatter excessively
**Nuance:** Trying to win favour through insincere praise.
**Ex (PT):** Ele está sempre a dar graxa ao chefe.
**Ex (EN):** He's always sucking up to the boss.

Answer 6

**Meaning:** To be ripped off, buy something misrepresented
**Nuance:** To be deceived in a transaction.
**Ex (PT):** Acho que comprei gato por lebre com este telemóvel.
**Ex (EN):** I think I was ripped off with this phone.

Answer 7

**Meaning:** I can't sleep a wink
**Nuance:** Common way to say you couldn't sleep.
**Ex (PT):** Estava tão preocupado que não preguei olho.
**Ex (EN):** I was so worried I couldn't sleep a wink.

Answer 8

**Meaning:** To die (can be seen as vulgar/blunt)
**Nuance:** Informal, sometimes crude way to say someone passed away. Use with caution.
**Ex (PT):** O cão velhinho foi com os porcos.
**Ex (EN):** The old dog kicked the bucket.

Answer 9

**Meaning:** To die (similar to 'kick the bucket')
**Nuance:** Informal, somewhat colloquial way to refer to dying. Less harsh than 'ir com os porcos'.
**Ex (PT):** O avô dela bateu as botas no ano passado.
**Ex (EN):** Her grandfather kicked the bucket last year.

Answer 10

**Meaning:** To hit the nail on the head, be spot on
**Nuance:** To be exactly right about something.
**Ex (PT):** O teu comentário acertou na mouche.
**Ex (EN):** Your comment hit the nail on the head.

Answer 11

**Meaning:** To lose one's temper, freak out
**Nuance:** Informal way to say someone got very angry or agitated.
**Ex (PT):** Ele passou-se completamente no trânsito.
**Ex (EN):** He completely freaked out in traffic.

Answer 12

**Meaning:** To have crazy ideas, be a bit nuts
**Nuance:** To have strange thoughts or eccentric ideas. Often said affectionately.
**Ex (PT):** Ele tem uns macaquinhos no sótão, mas é boa pessoa.
**Ex (EN):** He's a bit eccentric, but he's a good person.

Answer 13

**Meaning:** To have a lot of experience
**Nuance:** Colloquial way to say someone is very experienced in a particular field (implies routine).
**Ex (PT):** Ele percebe disto, tem muitos anos a virar frangos.
**Ex (EN):** He knows about this, he has a lot of experience.

Answer 14

**Meaning:** To wander around aimlessly, be lost
**Nuance:** Not having direction or purpose in movement or life.
**Ex (PT):** Passei a tarde a andar à toa pela baixa.
**Ex (EN):** I spent the afternoon wandering aimlessly downtown.

Answer 15

**Meaning:** Not to care at all, couldn't care less
**Nuance:** Strong expression of indifference.
**Ex (PT):** Estou-me nas tintas para o que ele pensa.
**Ex (EN):** I couldn't care less what he thinks.

Answer 16

**Meaning:** To talk nineteen to the dozen, be chatty
**Nuance:** To talk excessively.
**Ex (PT):** Ela fala pelos cotovelos, nunca se cala!
**Ex (EN):** She talks nineteen to the dozen, she never shuts up!

Answer 17

**Meaning:** Forget about it, don't count on it
**Nuance:** Tell someone not to expect something they desire or assume.
**Ex (PT):** Se pensas que te empresto o carro, podes tirar o cavalinho da chuva.
**Ex (EN):** If you think I'll lend you the car, you can forget about it.

Answer 18

**Meaning:** To be on guard, watch out
**Nuance:** To be careful, anticipate trouble.
**Ex (PT):** Com esta chuva, é melhor pôr-se a pau na estrada.
**Ex (EN):** With this rain, it's better to be careful on the road.

Answer 19

**Meaning:** Suspicious, distrustful
**Nuance:** Feeling uneasy or suspicious about something.
**Ex (PT):** Fiquei com a pulga atrás da orelha depois da conversa.
**Ex (EN):** I felt suspicious after the conversation.

Answer 20

**Meaning:** Something obvious trying to be hidden
**Nuance:** When an attempt at concealment is poorly done and obvious.
**Ex (PT):** A desculpa dele foi o gato escondido com o rabo de fora.
**Ex (EN):** His excuse was an obvious lie.

Answer 21

**Meaning:** To have a short fuse, lose temper easily
**Nuance:** Describes someone who gets angry quickly over small things.
**Ex (PT):** Ele ferve em pouca água, tem cuidado.
**Ex (EN):** He has a short fuse, be careful.

Answer 22

**Meaning:** To spill the beans, let a secret out
**Nuance:** To reveal something confidential.
**Ex (PT):** Alguém deu com a língua nos dentes sobre a festa surpresa.
**Ex (EN):** Someone spilled the beans about the surprise party.

Answer 23

**Meaning:** In a tight spot, broke, struggling
**Nuance:** Informal term for being in difficulty, often financial.
**Ex (PT):** Este mês estou à rasca de dinheiro.
**Ex (EN):** This month I'm broke.

Answer 24

**Meaning:** To take a quick look, glance over
**Nuance:** To look at something briefly.
**Ex (PT):** Podes dar uma vista de olhos a este email?
**Ex (EN):** Can you take a quick look at this email?

Answer 25

**Meaning:** To come to a successful conclusion
**Nuance:** When a project or negotiation ends well.
**Ex (PT):** Felizmente, o projeto chegou a bom porto.
**Ex (EN):** Fortunately, the project came to a successful conclusion.

Answer 26

**Meaning:** To be in a desperate situation, under pressure
**Nuance:** Facing severe difficulty or pressure, often financial.
**Ex (PT):** Com tantas dívidas, ele está com a corda ao pescoço.
**Ex (EN):** With so many debts, he's in a desperate situation.

Answer 27

**Meaning:** Something short-lived, fleeting happiness
**Nuance:** Happiness or success that doesn't last long.
**Ex (PT):** A alegria deles foi sol de pouca dura.
**Ex (EN):** Their joy was short-lived.

Answer 28

**Meaning:** To stick one's nose into other people's business
**Nuance:** To meddle or interfere.
**Ex (PT):** Odeio quando ele mete o nariz onde não é chamado.
**Ex (EN):** I hate it when he sticks his nose into other people's business.

Answer 29

**Meaning:** It doesn't bother me either way, I'm indifferent
**Nuance:** Expressing complete indifference.
**Ex (PT):** A opinião dele não me aquece nem me arrefece.
**Ex (EN):** His opinion doesn't bother me either way.

Answer 30

**Meaning:** To admit one is wrong, give in
**Nuance:** To concede a point or yield in an argument.
**Ex (PT):** Ele nunca dá o braço a torcer.
**Ex (EN):** He never admits he's wrong.

Answer 31

**Meaning:** To be wary, skeptical, cautious
**Nuance:** To maintain reservations or distrust about something/someone.
**Ex (PT):** Depois do que aconteceu, fiquei de pé atrás.
**Ex (EN):** After what happened, I became wary.

Answer 32

**Meaning:** Insincere display of sorrow
**Nuance:** Pretended sadness.
**Ex (PT):** Não acredites nela, são lágrimas de crocodilo.
**Ex (EN):** Don't believe her, those are crocodile tears.

Answer 33

**Meaning:** Easily, without any difficulty
**Nuance:** Describing a task that is very easy to do.
**Ex (PT):** Ele resolveu o problema com uma perna às costas.
**Ex (EN):** He solved the problem easily.

Answer 34

**Meaning:** Someone who just follows the crowd, easily influenced
**Nuance:** Describes a person without strong opinions who copies others.
**Ex (PT):** Não sejas Maria vai com as outras, pensa por ti!
**Ex (EN):** Don't be a follower, think for yourself!

Answer 35

**Meaning:** To urinate (polite & slightly humorous euphemism)
**Nuance:** A slightly jocular way to say you need the toilet.
**Ex (PT):** Com licença, preciso de tirar água do joelho.
**Ex (EN):** Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.

Answer 36

**Meaning:** To pass away, die (euphemism)
**Nuance:** A common, gentle euphemism for dying.
**Ex (PT):** O vizinho foi desta para melhor na semana passada.
**Ex (EN):** The neighbour passed away last week.

Answer 37

**Meaning:** To harp on the same subject
**Nuance:** To insistently repeat the same point or argument.
**Ex (PT):** Ele está sempre a bater na mesma tecla.
**Ex (EN):** He's always harping on the same subject.

Answer 38

**Meaning:** Crawling, very drunk
**Nuance:** Can mean literally crawling, but often used informally to mean extremely intoxicated.
**Ex (PT):** Ele bebeu tanto que foi para casa de gatas.
**Ex (EN):** He drank so much he went home crawling (drunk).

Answer 39

**Meaning:** To tread carefully, be very cautious
**Nuance:** To act very cautiously to avoid offending someone or worsening a situation.
**Ex (PT):** Com ela, temos sempre de pisar em ovos.
**Ex (EN):** With her, we always have to tread carefully.

Answer 40

**Meaning:** To trick, deceive, give the runaround
**Nuance:** Informal. To mislead someone or avoid giving a straight answer.
**Ex (PT):** Ele tentou dar-me tanga, mas eu percebi.
**Ex (EN):** He tried to give me the runaround, but I realised.

Answer 41

**Meaning:** Exhausted, worn out
**Nuance:** Feeling extremely tired.
**Ex (PT):** Depois da corrida, estava feito num oito.
**Ex (EN):** After the race, I was exhausted.

Answer 42

**Meaning:** Unbelievable things, strange occurrences
**Nuance:** Extraordinary or bizarre events.
**Ex (PT):** Aconteceram lá umas coisas do arco-da-velha.
**Ex (EN):** Some really strange things happened there.

Answer 43

**Meaning:** To get oneself into trouble
**Nuance:** To involve oneself in difficult or problematic situations.
**Ex (PT):** Não te metas em trabalhos por minha causa.
**Ex (EN):** Don't get into trouble because of me.

Answer 44

**Meaning:** To move on, put the past behind
**Nuance:** To forget about a bad experience and start anew.
**Ex (PT):** É altura de virar a página e seguir em frente.
**Ex (EN):** It's time to move on and look forward.

Answer 45

**Meaning:** In the middle of nowhere, very far away
**Nuance:** Describes a very remote or inaccessible place.
**Ex (PT):** A casa dele fica onde Judas perdeu as botas.
**Ex (EN):** His house is in the middle of nowhere.

Answer 46

**Meaning:** To be daydreaming, head in the clouds
**Nuance:** To be distracted or unrealistic.
**Ex (PT):** Ele anda nas nuvens, não presta atenção.
**Ex (EN):** He's got his head in the clouds, he doesn't pay attention.

Answer 47

**Meaning:** Flustered, running around confusedly
**Nuance:** Describes someone acting disorganized and erratic, often under stress.
**Ex (PT):** Ela andava feita barata tonta a tentar organizar tudo.
**Ex (EN):** She was running around like a headless chicken trying to organise everything.

Answer 48

**Meaning:** To eat a lot, eat one's fill
**Nuance:** To eat heartily and abundantly.
**Ex (PT):** No casamento, comemos que nos fartámos.
**Ex (EN):** At the wedding, we ate our fill.

Answer 49

**Meaning:** To solve a tricky problem, figure something out
**Nuance:** To find the solution to a difficult issue.
**Ex (PT):** Finalmente consegui descalçar a bota com aquele problema.
**Ex (EN):** I finally managed to crack that problem.

Answer 50

**Meaning:** To get told off, reprimanded
**Nuance:** To be scolded for doing something wrong.
**Ex (PT):** Cheguei tarde e levei um puxão de orelhas.
**Ex (EN):** I arrived late and got told off.

Answer 51

**Meaning:** To put up with something unpleasant, bite one's tongue
**Nuance:** To endure insults or situations without complaining.
**Ex (PT):** Tive de engolir muitos sapos naquele emprego.
**Ex (EN):** I had to put up with a lot in that job.

Answer 52

**Meaning:** To be arrogant, full of oneself
**Nuance:** Describes someone who acts self-important or conceited.
**Ex (PT):** Ele age como se tivesse o rei na barriga.
**Ex (EN):** He acts like he's high and mighty.

Answer 53

**Meaning:** To be very expensive
**Nuance:** When something costs more than expected, often surprisingly so.
**Ex (PT):** A reparação do carro saiu-me a brasa.
**Ex (EN):** The car repair was really expensive.

Answer 54

**Meaning:** To pick one's nose (colloquial/childish)
**Nuance:** Direct and somewhat crude, often used when telling children not to do it.
**Ex (PT):** Menino, não estejas a tirar macacos do nariz!
**Ex (EN):** Kid, stop picking your nose!

Answer 55

**Meaning:** Fussy, finicky, full of airs and graces
**Nuance:** Describes someone who is overly particular, demanding, or puts on airs.
**Ex (PT):** Não sejas cheio de nove horas, come o que há.
**Ex (EN):** Don't be so fussy, eat what's available.

Answer 56

**Meaning:** Generous, spendthrift
**Nuance:** Can mean generous, but often implies someone who spends money too freely.
**Ex (PT):** Ele é muito mãos largas, gasta tudo.
**Ex (EN):** He's very generous/a spendthrift, he spends everything.

Answer 57

**Meaning:** To cause a lot of trouble or difficulty
**Nuance:** Describes a person or situation that is very challenging.
**Ex (PT):** Aquele miúdo dá água pela barba.
**Ex (EN):** That kid is a real handful.

Answer 58

**Meaning:** To retaliate, answer back
**Nuance:** To respond to an insult or aggression in kind.
**Ex (PT):** Ele insultou-me, mas eu dei-lhe troco.
**Ex (EN):** He insulted me, but I answered him back.

Answer 59

**Meaning:** To consistently fail or make mistakes
**Nuance:** When someone keeps messing things up.
**Ex (PT):** Hoje não dou uma para a caixa.
**Ex (EN):** Today I can't do anything right.

Answer 60

**Meaning:** Very clever, sharp, astute
**Nuance:** Describes someone intelligent and quick-witted.
**Ex (PT):** Ela é fina como um alho, percebeu logo.
**Ex (EN):** She's sharp as a tack, she understood immediately.

Answer 61

**Meaning:** To make a fool of oneself
**Nuance:** To do something embarrassing in public.
**Ex (PT):** Tropecei e fiz figura de urso à frente de todos.
**Ex (EN):** I tripped and made a fool of myself in front of everyone.

Answer 62

**Meaning:** To vouch strongly for someone/something
**Nuance:** To be absolutely certain of someone's honesty or reliability.
**Ex (PT):** Ponho a mão no fogo pela honestidade dele.
**Ex (EN):** I'd swear by his honesty.

Answer 63

**Meaning:** To try something to see if it works (see what sticks)
**Nuance:** To make suggestions or attempts without much confidence they will succeed.
**Ex (PT):** Ele está só a atirar barro à parede com essas ideias.
**Ex (EN):** He's just throwing ideas out there to see what sticks.

Answer 64

**Meaning:** To waffle, fill time/space with nonsense
**Nuance:** To talk or write irrelevantly just to fill time or pages.
**Ex (PT):** O discurso dele foi só encher chouriços.
**Ex (EN):** His speech was just padding/waffle.

Answer 65

**Meaning:** To shift blame, avoid responsibility
**Nuance:** To deflect criticism or responsibility onto others.
**Ex (PT):** Ele tentou sacudir a água do capote, mas a culpa era dele.
**Ex (EN):** He tried to shift the blame, but it was his fault.

Answer 66

**Meaning:** To work very hard, flat out
**Nuance:** To put a lot of effort into something, especially work.
**Ex (PT):** Tivemos de dar ao litro para acabar a tempo.
**Ex (EN):** We had to work flat out to finish on time.

Answer 67

**Meaning:** To be very scared or anxious
**Nuance:** To be extremely fearful or apprehensive.
**Ex (PT):** Durante a trovoada, andei com o credo na boca.
**Ex (EN):** During the storm, I was scared stiff.

Answer 68

**Meaning:** To have a change of scenery
**Nuance:** To go somewhere different for a break or new perspective.
**Ex (PT):** Preciso de férias para mudar de ares.
**Ex (EN):** I need a holiday for a change of scenery.

Answer 69

**Meaning:** To calm down, pipe down
**Nuance:** Telling someone to be less arrogant or agitated.
**Ex (PT):** Baixa lá a bolinha, não precisas de gritar.
**Ex (EN):** Calm down, you don't need to shout.

Answer 70

**Meaning:** Not be in the mood for something
**Nuance:** Common way to say you don't feel like doing something.
**Ex (PT):** Queria ir sair, mas não estou para aí virada.
**Ex (EN):** I wanted to go out, but I'm not in the mood.

Answer 71

**Meaning:** To treat someone very badly, disrespectfully
**Nuance:** To treat a person with extreme contempt.
**Ex (PT):** O chefe tratava-o abaixo de cão.
**Ex (EN):** The boss treated him like dirt.

Answer 72

**Meaning:** To be filthy rich
**Nuance:** Very common way to say someone has a lot of money.
**Ex (PT):** Dizem que ele está podre de rico.
**Ex (EN):** They say he's filthy rich.

Answer 73

**Meaning:** To give up, back down
**Nuance:** To abandon an attempt or argument, often out of resignation or defeat.
**Ex (PT):** Quando viu que ia perder, meteu a viola em saco.
**Ex (EN):** When he saw he was going to lose, he gave up.

Answer 74

**Meaning:** God forbid! / Knock on wood!
**Nuance:** Said after mentioning something bad, to prevent it happening (superstition).
**Ex (PT):** Se eu tivesse um acidente, salvo seja, não sei o que faria.
**Ex (EN):** If I had an accident, God forbid, I don't know what I'd do.

Answer 75

**Meaning:** To confuse things, mix things up
**Nuance:** To misunderstand or confuse two different concepts or items.
**Ex (PT):** Estás a trocar alhos por bugalhos, isso não tem nada a ver.
**Ex (EN):** You're confusing things, that has nothing to do with it.

Answer 76

**Meaning:** To find a workaround, sort something out (sometimes implies bending rules)
**Nuance:** The famous Portuguese 'jeitinho' - finding a clever, sometimes slightly unorthodox, solution.
**Ex (PT):** Vou ver se consigo dar um jeitinho para resolver isso.
**Ex (EN):** I'll see if I can find a way to sort this out.

Answer 77

**Meaning:** Better late than never
**Nuance:** Exactly the same meaning and usage as in English. Very common.
**Ex (PT):** Chegaste atrasado, mas mais vale tarde do que nunca.
**Ex (EN):** You arrived late, but better late than never.