Tirar o cavalo da chuva
Meaning: To give up on an expectation.
Language: Portuguese
Literally: To take the horse out of the rain
Category: Animals
Origin: In 19th-century Brazil a guest's tethered horse left in the rain signaled a long visit, so 'take it out of the rain' meant abandon that hope.
More idioms — Animals
- Pagar mico — To embarrass yourself publicly.
- Как сельдь в бочке (Kak sel'd' v bochke) — Packed together very tightly.
- Вешать всех собак (Veshat' vsekh sobak) — To blame someone for everything.
- 井底之蛙 (Jǐng dǐ zhī wā) — Someone with a narrow, limited worldview.
- 守株待兔 (shǒu zhū dài tù) — Vainly hoping a lucky fluke will repeat itself.
- 塞翁失马 (Sài Wēng shī mǎ) — A blessing in disguise; fortune is unpredictable.
More Portuguese idioms
- 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.
- Dar com os burros n'água — To fail despite all your effort.
- Tirar o pai da forca — Said of something done in frantic urgency.