Colloquialisms, sayings, & Slang

Se correr o bicho pega, se ficar o bicho come – If you run the animal/creature will catch you, if you stay [still] the animal/creature will eat you

More or less the Brazilian equivalent of “stuck between a rock and a hard place” or “damned if you do, damned if you don't”. The idea is that either choice is equally bad.

No dia de São Nunca (de tarde) – On the day of Saint Never (in the afternoon)

A way of saying something is never gonna happen. It's usually used as a reply to a question (eg. “So, mom, when am I gonna be allowed to drive your car?”). Brazil is primarily Christian, so this is referring to saint days, which are the days each saint is officially supposed to be celebrated.

Bater ponto - Literally, "to hit the point/dot"

Originally this was a term that meant “to get your time-card punched in” back when you logged in your time at work by getting the time stamped on a paper card. Nowadays it tends to mean “to keep someone informed”, as in letting your parents know where you are if you're going to be out late. (eg. "Lembra de bater ponto se você for atrasar, viu?" - Remember to check in/let me know if you''re going to be late, alright?)