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homem dos sete ofícios

Meaning: A person who can do many different jobs or possesses many different skills, though often without mastery in any one.

Language: Portuguese

Literally: man of the seven trades

Category: Daily Life

Origin: The number seven historically represented completeness or abundance; the phrase pictures someone versed in numerous crafts rather than specialized in one.

More idioms — Daily Life

  • 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.
  • ao fim e ao cabo — After everything is considered; ultimately; in the final analysis.
  • sujo falando do mal lavado — Hypocritical criticism from someone guilty of the same fault being criticized.

More Portuguese idioms

  • 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.
  • fazer uma tempestade num copo de água — To make an excessive fuss over something trivial.
  • dar um tiro no pé — To harm oneself through one's own actions; to undermine one's own interests.
  • pôr os pontos nos is — To clarify a matter by spelling out details explicitly.

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