IdiomDaily Life
Portuguese
Portuguesehomem dos sete ofícios
Meaning: A person who can do many different jobs or possesses many different skills, though often without mastery in any one.
Literally: Man of the seven trades
Example: “O meu tio é homem dos sete ofícios: canalizador, pintor e cozinheiro.” — My uncle is a jack of all trades: plumber, painter and cook.
English equivalent: Jack of all trades
Equivalents in other languages
English: jack of all trades
Origin: Ofício is a trade or craft, and seven is the traditional number for "many" in Portuguese sayings. A man of seven trades can turn his hand to anything, often with the hint that he masters none, like English "jack of all trades." No particular story lies behind it.
More Portuguese idioms
- olho da tempestade The center of a crisis or controversy; the thick of it.
- matar cachorro a grito To be extremely poor or destitute.
- na ponta da língua Known by heart and ready to say; also, almost but not quite remembered.
- 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.
- Matar dois coelhos com uma cajadada só To get two benefits from a single effort.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Quem não tem cão caça com gato If you don't have the ideal means, you make do with what you have.
- Quando um não quer, dois não brigam A quarrel needs two willing sides; one person can always refuse it.
- Quem não arrisca não petisca If you don't take risks, you won't gain anything.
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