English-Portuguese and Portuguese-English Dictionary of Idiomatic Expressions (Native Level)

By Author Giljonnys Dias da Silva 

 

This bilingual dictionary is a practical and comprehensive resource designed for native and fluent speakers of English and Portuguese who seek to understand and use idiomatic expressions naturally. It features accurate, culturally relevant translations of idioms from both languages, offering context, usage examples, and nuances that go beyond literal meanings. Whether you're a translator, language learner, or simply passionate about idioms, this guide will help you to speak and write with authenticity and confidence in both English and Portuguese.

 

break the ice

quebrar o gelo

romper o silêncio 

 

hit the nail on the head

acertar em cheio 

ir direto ao ponto

 

let the cat out of the bag

dar com a língua nos dentes

 

spill the beans

revelar o segredo

 

piece of cake

moleza

facinho

 

under the weather

indisposto

meio doente

 

kill two birds with one stone

matar dois coelhos com uma cajadada só

 

bite the bullet

encarar o problema 

engolir o choro

 

cost an arm and a leg

custar os olhos da cara

 

burn the midnight oil

passar a noite em claro

estudar até tarde

trabalhar até tarde

 

cry over spilled milk

chorar pelo leite derramado

 

hit the road

pegar a estrada

cair na estrada

 

pull someone’s leg

pregar uma peça em alguém 

zoar alguém

 

add fuel to the fire

colocar lenha na fogueira

 

get cold feet

amarelar

ficar com medo na última hora

 

be in hot water

estar encrencado

estar em apuros

 

out of the blue

do nada

de repente

 

let sleeping dogs lie

não cutucar a onça com vara curta

 

The complete range of idiomatic expressions of this encyclopedic dictionary is available only through the full edition, which must be purchased from the author.

 

Importance for Fluency

 

Achieving fluency in a language requires more than knowing grammar and vocabulary. It involves grasping the subtleties of how people actually speak, joke, complain, encourage, or criticize in everyday conversation. Idioms are often the “flavor” of a language. A native-level idiomatic dictionary empowers English learners to understand that flavor and use it confidently.

 

Challenges in Idiom Translation

 

One of the biggest hurdles in compiling such a dictionary is the difficulty in identifying truly equivalent expressions. Idioms are often tied to cultural events, historical moments, or shared social experiences. For example, the Portuguese expression “Casa de ferreiro, espeto de pau” literally means “In a blacksmith’s house, a wooden skewer,” which may seem nonsensical without context. The equivalent in English would be “The shoemaker’s son always goes barefoot”, expressing the idea that professionals often neglect their own needs.

 

Another issue is that idioms may evolve over time or fall out of use. Therefore, the dictionary is often updated to reflect current usage, keeping it relevant and useful.

 

In conclusion, the English-Portuguese and Portuguese-English Dictionary of Idiomatic Expressions (Native Level) is more than a simple reference book—it's a cultural guide and a language-learning companion. It helps unlock the rich, colorful, and often humorous world of idiomatic language, providing users with the tools to understand and speak like a native speaker of English. For anyone striving to communicate authentically in either English or Portuguese, this bilingual dictionary is an indispensable resource.

 

Bibliographic References 

 

Swan, M. (2005). Practical English Usage (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.

 

Crystal, D. (2003). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. Cambridge University Press.

 

Seidl, J., & McMordie, W. (1988). English Idioms and How to Use Them (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.

 

Ferreira, A. B. de H. (2010). Novo Dicionário Aurélio da Língua Portuguesa (4th ed.). Editora Positivo.

 

Martins, R. A. (2007). Dicionário de Expressões Idiomáticas: Português-Inglês/Inglês-Português. Disal Editora.

 

Newmark, P. (1988). A Textbook of Translation. Prentice Hall.

 

Nida, E. A., & Taber, C. R. (2003). The Theory and Practice of Translation. Brill Academic Publishers.

 

Mion, M. (2012). Tradução e Expressões Idiomáticas: Equivalência e Criatividade. Contexto.

 

Longman. (2004). Longman Idioms Dictionary. Pearson Education.

 

Almeida, P. A. M. (2009). Dicionário de Expressões Idiomáticas Inglês-Português/Português-Inglês. Editora Campus/Elsevier.