estar com a corda no pescoço

Meaning: Be in serious financial or personal trouble with no easy escape.

Language: Portuguese

Literally: to be with the rope around the neck

Category: Body & Senses

Origin: References historical execution by hanging, evoking desperation and imminent danger.

More idioms — Body & Senses

wear your heart on your sleeve — to display emotions openly; to be transparent about feelings.
have the wool pulled over your eyes — to be deceived or fooled.
lower your guard — to relax defenses; to become vulnerable.
fit as a fiddle — in excellent physical condition; healthy.
keep your chin up — to remain optimistic; to stay courageous during difficulty.
pitter-patter of little feet — the sound of children running; anticipation of having babies.

meter os pés pelas mãos — Make a clumsy mistake or bungle something badly through carelessness.
estar com água na boca — Feel eager anticipation or desire, especially for food or something pleasant.
Viajar na maionese — To talk nonsense or drift off into your own dream world.
Chutar o balde — To stop caring and let everything go — unlike the English, nobody dies.
Enfiar o pé na jaca — To overdo it wildly, especially with food or drink.
Pisar na bola — To mess up or let someone down.

Loading the full interactive collection…