IdiomAnimals
Portuguese
Portuguesevirar bicho
Meaning: To become extremely angry or enraged.
Literally: To turn animal
Example: “Quando viu o carro riscado, o meu pai virou bicho.” — When he saw the scratched car, my father flew off the handle.
English equivalent: To fly off the handle
Equivalents in other languages
French: Sortir de ses gonds Literally: To come off its hinges
Spanish: perder los estribos Literally: To lose the stirrups
English: fly off the handle- French: Prendre la mouche Literally: To take the fly
Origin: Bicho is any animal, often a wild one, and turning into one is losing all human self-control in a rage. The phrase is colloquial Brazilian Portuguese with no particular story or documented first use.
More Portuguese idioms
- unha e carne Extremely close or inseparable; bound together in an intimate connection.
- morde e assopra To hurt someone and then soothe them; to alternate harshness and kindness.
- fugir como o diabo foge da cruz To avoid something or someone at all costs.
- falar com as paredes To speak to someone who does not listen or respond; to waste one's words.
- carta branca complete freedom to act without restrictions or needing approval.
- de vez em nunca very rarely; almost never.
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