Nem que a vaca tussa

Meaning: No way; under no circumstances.

Language: Portuguese

Literally: Not even if the cow coughs

Category: Animals

Origin: A cow coughing on command is so absurd it will never happen — the cheerfully impossible Brazilian way of saying never.

More idioms — Animals

• 亡羊补牢 — It's not too late to act after a setback to prevent further loss.
• Passer du coq à l'âne — To switch topics abruptly and illogically.
• To bury your head in the sand — To refuse to face an obvious danger.
• Die Kuh vom Eis holen — To resolve a precarious situation.
• Eulen nach Athen tragen — To do something utterly pointless.
• Hummeln im Hintern haben — To be unable to sit still.

More Portuguese idioms

• Tirar o cavalo da chuva — To give up on an expectation.
• Pagar mico — To embarrass yourself publicly.
• Procurar pelo em ovo — To nitpick over nothing.
• Ficar a ver navios — To be left disappointed and empty-handed.
• Onde Judas perdeu as botas — In the middle of nowhere; the back of beyond.
• Acertar na mosca — To be exactly right; to hit the bullseye.

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