Today we are going to take a look at some expressions that Brazilians use in day-to-day conversation that use the word mão (hand).

1. Estar com a faca e o queijo na mão – literally to have the knife and cheese in your hands

Have the power to do something or have the power over something or someone.

Exemplo: Agora que Jorge é senador ele está coma faca e o queijo na mão para mudar as coisas. – Now that Jorge is the senator, he has the power to change things.

 

2. Estar/ficar com uma mão na frente e a outra atrás. – literally with one hand at the front and other at the back.

Not to have any money left.

Exemplo: Fred gastou todo o salário desde mês, agora está com uma mão na frente e outra atrás. – Fred has spent all his month’s salary, now he is penniless.

 

3. Mão na roda – literally hand on the wheel.

Something that makes life easier, something useful.

Exemplo: Com este aplicativo novo eu posso olhar mapas sem precisar de internet, é uma mão na roda. – With this app I can look at maps without the need for internet, it’s very useful.

 

4. Deixar (alguém) na mão – literally leave someone in hand.

Not to help someone when they expect you to or have something not working when you need it.

Exemplo: Eu pedi para Marina me ajudar com as crianças, ela disse que sim, mas me deixou na mão. – I asked Marina to help me with the children. She said yes, but then left me to do it myself.

Exemplo 2: O carro de Marcos parou de funcionar quando ele estava indo para o trabalho, o carro sempre deixa Marcos na mão quando ele precisa. – Marcos’s car stoped working on his way to work. His car never works when he needs it to.

 

5. Lavar as mãos – wash the hands

Not to get involved.

Exemplo: Eu te disse para não fazer isso, agora eu lavo as minhas mãos. – I told you not to do this, now I’m not getting involved.

 

6. Abrir mão (de algo) – literally open hand of something.

Give up something you didn’t want to give up.

Exemplo: Ricardo teve que abrir mão de seu emprego para cuidar dos filhos. – Ricardo had to give up his job to take care of his children.