Idioms

Idioms are linguistic elements that enrich the way we express ourselves, making communication more authentic and engaging.

Throughout this article, we’ll explore its origins, specific examples from Portugal, Brazil, England and Germany, as well as its cultural importance.

What are idioms?

Idioms are one of the most fascinating and peculiar aspects of any language. These are phrases or expressions whose meaning cannot be understood simply by interpreting the words they contain literally. They are an integral part of people’s culture and often reflect their history, traditions and way of seeing the world.

Idioms make communication richer and more dynamic, allowing speakers to convey ideas in a more expressive and figurative way. They are used in both formal and informal language, and knowing them can make learning a foreign language easier by making communication more fluid and natural.

Portuguese idioms

Portuguese idioms reflect the country’s culture and history, conveying popular wisdom. Programmes such as Cuidado com a Língua! (RTP) have helped to publicise the richness of the language, explaining it in an accessible way. Initiatives like this promote the preservation of linguistic heritage, ensuring its continuity.

Portuguese expressions

The Portuguese language is rich in idiomatic expressions that are used by speakers on a daily basis. Some of these expressions have historical origins, while others have arisen from popular wisdom. Here are a few examples, that we have translated literally to English so you can have a better idea of the original idiom:

“Ficar a ver navios” or “Looking at ships”- Means to be disappointed or to not achieve what was hoped for. The origin of this expression dates back to the Age of Discovery, when King Sebastião disappeared at the Battle of Alcácer-Quibir. The Portuguese people waited anxiously for his return, watching the horizon for ships that never arrived.

“Meter os pés pelas mãos” or “Fumbling” – Used when someone makes a mistake or gets confused in a situation. The expression originates from the idea of doing something clumsily, as if a person switched the natural movements of their feet and hands, causing confusion and mistakes.

“Ter macaquinhos no sótão” or “Having little monkeys in the attic” – Expresses the idea of someone having strange thoughts or obsessive worries. The origin of this expression comes from the metaphor of the ” sótão” or “attic“ as the mind and the ”macaquinhos” or “little monkeys“ as disturbing thoughts or paranoia that won’t leave the person alone.

“Chorar sobre o leite derramado” or ”Crying over spilt milk“ – It means regretting something that has already happened and cannot be changed. The origin of this expression is unknown, but several sources suggest it came from a peasant story, which says that a young peasant girl was carrying a bucket of milk on her head and, distracted thinking about the things she would buy with the money she would receive from selling the product, she ended up tripping, falling and spilling all the milk on the ground. Seeing the scene, the young woman realised that it would be impractical to mourn a fact that had already happened, since nothing would remedy the situation.

Portuguese slang

Slang is a popular expression used in informal contexts. Many of them have specific meanings and can be difficult for foreigners or even speakers of other variants of Portuguese to understand. Some common Portuguese slang include:

“Estar na boa” or ”Being cool“ – Means being relaxed or calm.
“Ter lata” or “Having the nerve” – Used to describe someone who has a lot of courage or impudence.
“Andar à nora” or “Wandering” – This means being confused or not knowing what to do.
“Estar feito ao bife” or “To be done for” – This means to be in a complicated or dead-end situation.

Brazilian expressions

Although Portugal and Brazil share the same language, some idiomatic expressions are typical of Brazilian Portuguese. Here are some curious examples:

“Pagar mico” or “Pay the piper“ – This means taking the blame for something you didn’t do.
”Fazer vaquinha“ or “Pitch-in” – Refers to pooling money between several people for a common goal.
“Viajar na maionese” or “Travelling in mayonnaise“ – Used when someone is saying nonsensical things or daydreaming.
“Quebrar o galo” or “Winging it“ – Means finding an improvised solution to a problem.

Brazil vs Portugal: 10 different expressions

Although Portuguese is the language spoken in both countries, there are expressions that, despite looking different, have the same meaning. Knowing these variations is fundamental to avoiding misunderstandings and enriching your vocabulary. Here’s a comparative table of 10 curious cases:

Portuguese Expression	Brazilian Expression
Dar o litro (Giving it your all)	Dar o sangue (Giving blood)
Estou feito ao bife (I’m done for)	Estou ferrado (I’m screwed)
Estar com os azeites (Being with the oils)	Estar de cara feia (Having a bad face)
É canja (A piece of cake)	É moleza (It’s a piece of cake)
Acordar com os pés de fora (Waking up with your feet out)	Acordar com o pé esquerdo (Waking up on the wrong foot)
Cair no esquecimento (Falling into oblivion)	Cair no ostracismo (Being ostracised)
Estar nas lonas (Being on the canvas)	Estar quebrado (Being broken)
Fazer figura de urso (Make a bear figure)	Pagar mico (Paying the piper)
Meter os pés pelas mãos (Putting your foot in it)	Dar mancada (Messing around)
Ficar com o coração nas mãos (Hold your heart in your hands)	Ficar com o coração na boca (Heart in your mouth)

English idioms

The English language is also rich in idiomatic expressions, many of which have equivalents in other languages. Some common expressions include:

“Break the ice” – Literally “breaking the ice”, it means starting a conversation and making the atmosphere more relaxed.
“Spill the beans” – It means to reveal a secret.
“Hit the nail on the head” – Expresses the idea of hitting exactly the right spot.
“Bite the bullet” – means to face a difficult or painful situation with courage.

These expressions are often used in informal conversations, in business circles and even in literary texts, making them essential for anyone who wants to master English in a more natural way.

There are several books dedicated to the study of idioms in English. “English Idioms in Use” by Cambridge University Press, for example, offers a practical and varied approach, while the “Oxford Dictionary of Idioms” compiles a wide range of expressions, explaining their origins and everyday uses.

German idioms

German is another language rich in interesting idioms, many of which reflect the culture and mentality of the speakers. Here are some of them:

“Tomaten auf den Augen haben” – It means not realising the obvious.
“Jemandem die Daumen drücken” – Used to wish someone good luck.
“Aus einer Mücke einen Elefanten machen” – It means to have an exaggerated concern/reaction.
“Das ist nicht mein Bier” – Expresses that the person has nothing to do with the problem in question.

As with other languages, many of these expressions cannot be translated literally, requiring a cultural and contextual understanding in order to be used correctly. For example, the German expression “Tomaten auf den Augen haben” literally translated into Portuguese means “having tomatos in your eyes”, which doesn’t make sense.

For those interested in exploring this further, books such as “Langenscheidt Großwörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache” or Dudenverlag’s “Redewendungen und sprichwörtliche Redensarten” help to contextualise each expression, explaining its use and history in detail.

Idioms: main conclusions

It’s important to remember that there are several varieties of Portuguese and that each one has its own particularities. To guarantee Portuguese translations that are faithful to the uniqueness of each country, it is essential to use native translators who understand regional nuances and typical expressions and ensure that the final text is organic and adapted to the target audience.

Idioms are an authentic reflection of a people’s culture and history. Mastering these expressions, whether in your mother tongue or in a foreign language, is essential for effective and natural communication. The correct use of these phrases can make a speech more fluid, expressive and engaging, helping speakers to integrate better into different linguistic and cultural contexts. When learning a new language, it’s always interesting to explore its idioms, as they offer a unique glimpse into the way people think and express themselves.