dar com a língua nos dentes
To spill the beans
Literalmente: To hit the tongue against the teeth
En 15 segundos
- Revealing a secret you were supposed to keep hidden.
- The Portuguese version of 'spilling the beans' or 'snitching'.
- Used for accidental slips or gossiping about others' mistakes.
Significado
This phrase is used when someone accidentally or intentionally reveals a secret they were supposed to keep. It is the Portuguese equivalent of 'spilling the beans' or 'letting the cat out of the bag.'
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Spoiling a surprise party
O João deu com a língua nos dentes e contou sobre a festa surpresa.
João spilled the beans and told her about the surprise party.
Admitting your own mistake
Desculpa, eu acabei dando com a língua nos dentes.
Sorry, I ended up spilling the beans.
A warning to a friend
Vê se não dá com a língua nos dentes, hein!
Don't you dare spill the beans, okay!
Contexto cultural
The expression is deeply rooted in the oral traditions of Lusophone countries, where 'fofoca' (gossip) serves as a social glue. It specifically visualizes the physical lack of restraint, suggesting the tongue is a clumsy tool that betrays the speaker's intentions. While common in both Portugal and Brazil, it is a staple of Brazilian soap operas (telenovelas) where plot twists often hinge on someone 'hitting their tongue against their teeth.'
The 'Slip' Factor
Use this phrase specifically when the secret comes out as a 'slip of the tongue'. If someone is a deliberate snitch, 'dedo-duro' is a better word for the person.
Watch the Tense
Remember that 'dar' is an irregular verb. Make sure you practice 'dei', 'deu', and 'demos' so you don't trip over your own tongue!
En 15 segundos
- Revealing a secret you were supposed to keep hidden.
- The Portuguese version of 'spilling the beans' or 'snitching'.
- Used for accidental slips or gossiping about others' mistakes.
What It Means
Imagine your tongue is a restless prisoner. Suddenly, it escapes and hits your teeth on the way out. That is dar com a língua nos dentes. It describes that exact moment a secret slips out. You didn't mean to say it, but now everyone knows. It is about losing control of your filter. The secret is out, and there is no taking it back.
How To Use It
You use it just like a regular verb phrase. The verb dar (to give/hit) changes based on who spoke. If I told your secret, I would say eu dei com a língua nos dentes. If we both messed up, it is nós demos. It acts as a confession or an accusation. It is punchy, descriptive, and very common in daily life.
When To Use It
Use this when gossip is involved. It is perfect for birthday party spoilers. Use it when a coworker mentions a raise they shouldn't have. It works great when texting friends about a shared secret. If you are apologizing for being a chatterbox, this is your phrase. It adds a bit of color to a boring apology.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in very formal legal settings. Do not use it if someone is testifying in court. It is too colorful for a serious police report. Also, avoid it if the 'secret' is a tragic or heavy event. Using it for a death or a disaster feels insensitive. It is best kept for social blunders and lighthearted secrets.
Cultural Background
Portuguese culture is very social and talkative. Sharing a 'fofoca' (gossip) is a national pastime. This phrase highlights the physical act of speaking too fast. It suggests the tongue moved before the brain could stop it. It has been used for generations across Portugal and Brazil. It reflects a culture that values both secrets and the drama of revealing them.
Common Variations
You might hear abrir o bico (to open the beak). That one is a bit more intentional, like 'snitching.' There is also falar demais (to talk too much). But dar com a língua nos dentes is the most idiomatic. It captures the 'accident' part perfectly. Use it and you will sound like a local immediately.
Notas de uso
This is a neutral-to-informal idiom. It is perfect for social settings but should be avoided in formal writing or professional environments where precision is required.
The 'Slip' Factor
Use this phrase specifically when the secret comes out as a 'slip of the tongue'. If someone is a deliberate snitch, 'dedo-duro' is a better word for the person.
Watch the Tense
Remember that 'dar' is an irregular verb. Make sure you practice 'dei', 'deu', and 'demos' so you don't trip over your own tongue!
Fofoca Culture
In Brazil, 'fofoca' (gossip) isn't always seen as negative; it's often just how news travels. Using this phrase makes you sound very integrated into the social fabric.
Ejemplos
6O João deu com a língua nos dentes e contou sobre a festa surpresa.
João spilled the beans and told her about the surprise party.
A classic use for a ruined surprise.
Desculpa, eu acabei dando com a língua nos dentes.
Sorry, I ended up spilling the beans.
Using the gerund 'dando' makes it feel more like a process.
Vê se não dá com a língua nos dentes, hein!
Don't you dare spill the beans, okay!
A playful but firm warning.
Alguém deu com a língua nos dentes sobre o novo projeto.
Someone spilled the beans about the new project.
Semi-professional but still uses colorful language.
Ela sempre dá com a língua nos dentes, não conte nada pra ela.
She always spills the beans, don't tell her anything.
Describing a person's character trait.
Eu me sinto mal por ter dado com a língua nos dentes.
I feel bad for having spilled the beans.
Expressing regret using the past participle.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct form of the verb 'dar' to complete the sentence.
Eu não queria contar, mas eu ___ com a língua nos dentes.
Since the subject is 'Eu' (I), the past tense of 'dar' must be 'dei'.
Complete the warning using the phrase.
Cuidado para não dar com a ___ nos dentes!
The idiom specifically uses 'língua' (tongue) to represent speaking.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality Scale
Slang like 'abrir o bico'
Ele abriu o bico.
Our phrase: Dar com a língua nos dentes
Você deu com a língua nos dentes!
Standard way to say someone revealed a secret
Ele revelou o segredo.
When to use the phrase
Surprise Parties
Spoiling the guest of honor.
Office Gossip
Leaking news about a promotion.
Family Secrets
Telling a sibling's secret to parents.
Confessions
Admitting you talked too much.
Banco de ejercicios
2 ejerciciosEu não queria contar, mas eu ___ com a língua nos dentes.
Since the subject is 'Eu' (I), the past tense of 'dar' must be 'dei'.
Cuidado para não dar com a ___ nos dentes!
The idiom specifically uses 'língua' (tongue) to represent speaking.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt means to reveal a secret or information that was supposed to be kept private, usually by accident. It is exactly like 'spilling the beans'.
It can be a lighthearted accusation between friends, but if said angrily, it implies the person is untrustworthy. Context and tone are everything.
Only if the atmosphere is relaxed. In a serious board meeting, it is better to say revelar informações confidenciais.
The meaning is identical in both countries. However, Brazilians might use the gerund dando more often than the Portuguese.
Literally, it means 'to hit the tongue against the teeth'. It paints a picture of the tongue moving too fast and hitting the teeth as words escape.
Yes! You can say eu dei com a língua nos dentes to admit you accidentally told someone your own secret.
Extremely common. You will hear it in movies, songs, and daily conversations throughout the Portuguese-speaking world.
A common synonym is abrir o bico, which literally means 'to open the beak' (like a bird).
It follows the standard conjugation of dar. For example: Eu dei, Você deu, Nós demos, Eles deram.
It is more of an informal idiom than pure slang. Most people, including older generations, use and understand it perfectly.
Frases relacionadas
Abrir o bico
To snitch or confess (literally: to open the beak)
Falar demais
To talk too much / have a big mouth
Guardar segredo
To keep a secret (the opposite of our phrase)
Língua de trapo
A person who gossips a lot (literally: rag tongue)
