IdiomDaily Life
Portuguese
Portuguesemandar bala
Meaning: To pursue something with enthusiasm and vigor.
Literally: To send a bullet
Example: “Queres abrir a tua própria loja? Então manda bala!” — You want to open your own shop? Then go all out!
English equivalent: To go all out
Equivalents in other languages
Swedish: ge järnet Literally: Give the iron
English: go all out
Origin: "Send a bullet": go ahead, fire away. In Brazilian slang mandar bala means doing something with full energy, or giving someone the go-ahead to start. The image is shooting, but the phrase's origin and first use are not documented.
More Portuguese idioms
- 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.
- Diz o roto ao nu: porque não te vestes tu? Said when someone criticizes another for a fault they share.
- Engolir sapos To put up with unpleasant things without complaining.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Quem o feio ama, bonito lhe parece Love makes people see beauty where others don't.
- Santos da casa não fazem milagres People are rarely valued by those closest to them.
- Casa roubada, trancas à porta People take precautions only after the damage is done.
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