Dar com os burros n'água

Meaning: To fail despite all your effort.

Language: Portuguese

Literally: To end up with the donkeys in the water

Category: Animals

Origin: From muleteers whose donkeys, fording a river, were swept away — their whole venture literally going under.

More idioms — Animals

• Считать ворон — To idle and let chances slip by.
• 月とすっぽん — Two things alike at a glance but worlds apart.
• 一箭双雕 — To achieve two things with a single act.
• Att ha en räv bakom örat — To be cunning and sly.
• Mieć węża w kieszeni — To be very stingy.
• تمخض الجبل فولد فأرا — A huge fuss producing a tiny result.

More Portuguese idioms

• Tirar o pai da forca — Said of something done in frantic urgency.
• Chorar de barriga cheia — To complain when you have nothing to complain about.
• volta e meia — Occasionally or now and then.
• fora do armário — To reveal a secret identity or hidden truth, especially regarding sexual orientation or p…
• nada a ver — Nonsense or absurdity; something that makes no sense.
• virar bicho — To become extremely angry or enraged.

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