IdiomDaily Life
Portuguese
Portuguesevolta e meia
Meaning: Occasionally or now and then.
Literally: A turn and a half
Example: “Volta e meia encontro o meu antigo professor no mercado.” — Every so often I run into my old teacher at the market.
Origin: "A turn and a half": something that keeps coming round again. The phrase means every so often and is common in Brazil and Portugal; its exact origin is not documented, and it has no particular story behind it.
More Portuguese idioms
- virar bicho To become extremely angry or enraged.
- 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.
- arrastar pela lama to publicly humiliate or damage someone's reputation.
- comprar briga to intentionally provoke a quarrel or confrontation with someone.
- há algo de podre no reino da Dinamarca something is deeply wrong or suspicious, though the truth may be hidden.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Faz o que eu digo, não faças o que eu faço Said, often ironically, of people who give advice they don't follow.
- Cada macaco no seu galho Everyone should stick to their own place and business.
- Quem o feio ama, bonito lhe parece Love makes people see beauty where others don't.
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