We’re going to continue our discussion of idiomatic expressions, using this humor site as a source. The idea is to show the dangers of translating word for word instead of understanding the actual meaning behind the expressions.
1. Ela é cheia de nove horas. She’s full of nine o’clock.
This expression means a person is always giving excuses for everything. For example:
Eu fico pedindo ela para sair comigo, mas ela sempre tem uma desculpa. Ela é cheia de nova horas.
I keep asking her out, but she always has an excuse.
2. Tá pensando que isso é a casa da mãe Joana? Do you think this is mother Joann’s house?
This means, do you think you can do whatever you want? You ask this to a person who seems to think they can have their way with everything. For example:
Pai, vou jantar com meus amigos e depois vamos para o bar. Dad, I’m going to have dinner with my friends and after that we’re going to the bar.
Tá pensando que isso é a casa da mãe Joana?
The next two expressions have the same meaning.
3. A vaca foi para o brejo. The cow went to the swamp.
4. Já era. It already was.
These expressions mean “it’s over” or “it’s too late now.” For example:
Ele precisa falar com a professora, mas ela já saiu de férias. He needs to talk to the teacher, but she already went on vacation.
A vaca foi para o brejo.
Queria pular de asa-delta no Rio, mas vou embora amanhã. I wanted to go hang gliding in Rio, but I’m leaving tomorrow.
Já era.
