passar a mão na cabeça
To let someone off the hook
Wörtlich: To pass the hand on the head
In 15 Sekunden
- Being overly lenient or protective of someone who messed up.
- Ignoring a mistake instead of correcting or punishing it.
- Often used to criticize someone for being a 'pushover'.
Bedeutung
It means to overlook someone's mistakes or be overly lenient when they've done something wrong. It's like giving someone a free pass instead of holding them accountable.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Talking about a spoiled child
A mãe sempre passa a mão na cabeça dele, por isso ele é assim.
His mother always lets him off the hook, that's why he's like this.
Discussing a coworker's mistake
O chefe passou a mão na cabeça do Ricardo de novo.
The boss let Ricardo off the hook again.
Texting a friend about their toxic ex
Amiga, para de passar a mão na cabeça desse cara!
Girl, stop making excuses for this guy!
Kultureller Hintergrund
Highly used in political and social discourse to criticize impunity. Understood, but 'passar a mão pela cabeça' is the preferred regional variation.
Context is key
Only use this when you want to sound critical of someone's leniency.
In 15 Sekunden
- Being overly lenient or protective of someone who messed up.
- Ignoring a mistake instead of correcting or punishing it.
- Often used to criticize someone for being a 'pushover'.
What It Means
Imagine someone does something wrong. Instead of scolding them, you comfort them. You act like nothing happened. This is passar a mão na cabeça. It implies being too soft. It suggests you are enabling bad behavior. It is about protection rather than justice.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb phrase. It usually takes a preposition: passar a mão na cabeça de alguém. You can use it for kids. You can use it for coworkers. Even politicians get this treatment sometimes! It often carries a tone of disapproval from the speaker.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend is being too nice. Maybe their partner is rude. You tell them: "Don't let them off the hook!" Use it when a boss ignores a lazy employee. It fits perfectly in gossip or serious advice. It’s great for venting about unfairness.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for genuine physical affection. If you actually touch someone's head, just say fazer carinho. Avoid it in very strict legal documents. It’s a bit too colorful for a courtroom. Don't use it if you actually agree with the leniency. It almost always sounds like a critique.
Cultural Background
Brazilians are known for being warm and relational. Sometimes, we value people over rules. This is called the jeitinho. Passar a mão na cabeça is the dark side of that. It reflects a culture that struggles with accountability. It’s a very common parental critique in Brazil. Everyone has a grandma who does this!
Common Variations
You might hear alisar a cabeça. It’s less common but means the same. Sometimes people just say não passa a mão. This is a direct command to be firm. It’s a powerful way to demand discipline.
Nutzungshinweise
The phrase is neutral to informal. It is very common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese but should be avoided in formal writing or academic papers.
Context is key
Only use this when you want to sound critical of someone's leniency.
Beispiele
6A mãe sempre passa a mão na cabeça dele, por isso ele é assim.
His mother always lets him off the hook, that's why he's like this.
Classic use regarding parenting and lack of discipline.
O chefe passou a mão na cabeça do Ricardo de novo.
The boss let Ricardo off the hook again.
Used here to express frustration at workplace favoritism.
Amiga, para de passar a mão na cabeça desse cara!
Girl, stop making excuses for this guy!
Very common in dating advice context.
Eu sei que ele rasgou o sofá, mas não aguento, passo a mão na cabeça mesmo.
I know he ripped the sofa, but I can't help it, I spoil him anyway.
Using the idiom playfully regarding a pet.
Se você continuar passando a mão na cabeça dele, ele nunca vai aprender.
If you keep overlooking his actions, he will never learn.
A stern warning about the consequences of leniency.
A justiça não pode passar a mão na cabeça de criminosos.
The justice system cannot be lenient with criminals.
Using the phrase in a broader social/political context.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct idiom.
O professor não deveria ___________ dos alunos que não estudam.
The context implies the teacher shouldn't be overly lenient.
🎉 Ergebnis: /1
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of 'Passar a mão na cabeça'
Too structured for pure slang.
N/A
Perfect for friends, family, and casual venting.
Para de passar a mão na cabeça dele!
Used in news or office talk to describe leniency.
A empresa passou a mão na cabeça do diretor.
Too idiomatic for a legal brief or a wedding speech.
N/A
When to use 'Passar a mão na cabeça'
Parenting
Spoiling a child who broke a window.
Workplace
A boss ignoring a colleague's constant lateness.
Relationships
A friend defending their partner's bad attitude.
Politics
Voters ignoring a candidate's scandals.
Aufgabensammlung
1 AufgabenO professor não deveria ___________ dos alunos que não estudam.
The context implies the teacher shouldn't be overly lenient.
🎉 Ergebnis: /1
Häufig gestellte Fragen
1 FragenYes, if you are complaining about them to a colleague.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Passar pano
synonymTo make excuses for someone.
Dar trela
similarTo encourage bad behavior.
