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brincar com fogo

Meaning: to engage in a risky or dangerous behavior; to put oneself in harm's way.

Language: Portuguese

Literally: to play with fire

Category: The Absurd

Origin: Origin uncertain; the phrase pictures the literal danger of handling fire carelessly, extending to any reckless action.

More idioms — The Absurd

  • er met een jantje-van-leiden van afmaken — to perform a task carelessly, half-heartedly, or in a slipshod manner.
  • bij de duivel te biecht gaan — to seek counsel or confide in someone who is untrustworthy, dangerous, or morally corrupt.
  • van lotje getikt — To be crazy or eccentric; to be not quite sane.
  • in de wind slaan — To deliberately ignore or disregard something.
  • uit zijn plaat gaan — To lose control of oneself or go crazy.
  • sitta med skägget i brevlådan — Be in a pickle or difficult predicament.

More Portuguese idioms

  • de tempos em tempos — from time to time; occasionally or intermittently.
  • nu e cru — To speak with brutal, unvarnished honesty, holding nothing back.
  • à toa — To drift aimlessly or act without purpose or direction.
  • nem carne nem peixe — Something or someone that does not fit into any clear category and remains ambiguous or u…
  • homem dos sete ofícios — A person who can do many different jobs or possesses many different skills, though often…
  • olho da tempestade — A moment of unexpected calm or peace in the middle of chaos or crisis.

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