fugir como o diabo foge da cruz
Meaning: To flee or escape with great speed and urgency.
Language: Portuguese
Literally: to flee like the devil flees from the cross
Category: Daily Life
Origin: The phrase draws on Christian imagery of the devil recoiling from sacred objects, suggesting panic-stricken, desperate flight.
More idioms — Daily Life
- falar com as paredes — To speak to someone who does not listen or respond; to waste one's words.
- carta branca — complete freedom to act without restrictions or needing approval.
- de vez em nunca — very rarely; almost never.
- cuspir no prato que comeu — to betray or show ingratitude toward someone who has helped you.
- a fio — uninterruptedly or continuously without stopping.
- comprar briga — to intentionally provoke a quarrel or confrontation with someone.
More Portuguese idioms
- arrastar pela lama — to publicly humiliate or damage someone's reputation.
- sem tamanho — enormous, immensely large.
- há algo de podre no reino da Dinamarca — something is deeply wrong or suspicious, though the truth may be hidden.
- nascer em berço de ouro — to be born into wealth and privilege; to come from a rich family.
- colocar o carro à frente dos bois — To have the wrong priorities or do things in the wrong order.
- ombro a ombro — On equal terms, standing together as peers.
From our compliments & insults
- Cabeça de alho chocho — A forgetful scatterbrain whose thoughts won't stay put.
- Você é um amor — You're a sweetheart — warm, caring, and impossible not to like.
- Você tem muita garra — You have fierce, relentless determination — you claw your way through any obstacle.