à toa
Meaning: To drift aimlessly or act without purpose or direction.
Language: Portuguese
Literally: to the whim
Category: Daily Life
Origin: Origin uncertain; the phrase evokes the image of drifting adrift without control or intention.
More idioms — Daily Life
- homem dos sete ofícios — A person who can do many different jobs or possesses many different skills, though often…
- cair em saco roto — Words or advice that fail to reach their intended audience; to be ignored or dismissed.
- ás na manga — A hidden advantage or resource held in reserve to be revealed when needed.
- mandar bala — To pursue something with enthusiasm and vigor.
- encontro às cegas — A romantic meeting between two people who have never met before.
- ao fim e ao cabo — After everything is considered; ultimately; in the final analysis.
More Portuguese idioms
- nem carne nem peixe — Something or someone that does not fit into any clear category and remains ambiguous or u…
- olho da tempestade — A moment of unexpected calm or peace in the middle of chaos or crisis.
- matar cachorro a grito — To be extremely poor or destitute.
- na ponta da língua — To have something in one's mind but be unable to recall or express it completely.
- fazer uma tempestade num copo de água — To make an excessive fuss over something trivial.
- dar um tiro no pé — To harm oneself through one's own actions; to undermine one's own interests.
From our untranslatable words
- Jugaad — A creative, frugal fix — a clever improvised solution that gets things done with whatever…
- Cafuné — The tender act of running your fingers through someone's hair — an intimate gesture of lo…
- Shinrin-yoku — Immersing yourself in the atmosphere of a forest — soaking up its calm through all your s…