Home › Idioms

de tempos em tempos

Meaning: from time to time; occasionally or intermittently.

Language: Portuguese

Literally: of times in times

Category: Daily Life

Origin: The phrase uses repetition of time to evoke intervals occurring at irregular but recurring moments.

More idioms — Daily Life

  • à toa — To drift aimlessly or act without purpose or direction.
  • 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.

More Portuguese idioms

  • nu e cru — To speak with brutal, unvarnished honesty, holding nothing back.
  • 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.
  • ao fim e ao cabo — After everything is considered; ultimately; in the final analysis.

← Back to Idioms

Loading the full interactive collection…