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.
From our proverbs
- When old age is evil, youth can learn no good. — A corrupt elder corrupts the next generation; moral decay flows downward through families…
- An old cat laps as much as a young kitten. — Age doesn't diminish appetite or basic needs; elderly and young require similar sustenanc…
- As the old cock crows so crows the young. — Children naturally imitate their parents' behavior, words, and habits rather than followi…