dar o dito por não dito
To take back what was said
Literalmente: To give the said for not said
En 15 segundos
- Retracting a statement as if it never happened.
- A verbal 'undo' button for promises or opinions.
- Used when changing your mind about something you said.
Significado
This phrase is used when someone says something and then immediately changes their mind or denies they ever said it. It is like hitting an 'undo' button on a statement you just made.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Regretting a dinner invitation
Eu disse que pagava o jantar, mas agora dou o dito por não dito.
I said I'd pay for dinner, but now I'm taking that back.
Correcting a professional error
O relatório está errado, por isso damos o dito por não dito até à revisão.
The report is wrong, so we are retracting what was said until the revision.
Texting after a change of heart
Esquece o que eu mandei antes, dou o dito por não dito!
Forget what I sent before, I'm taking it back!
Contexto cultural
In Portugal, the phrase is often linked to the concept of 'honra' (honor). Breaking a verbal agreement is socially stigmatized, especially in rural areas where 'a palavra' is still considered as good as a contract. In Brazil, while still negative, the phrase is frequently used in political satire and comedy to mock the perceived lack of consistency in public figures. It's a staple of political journalism. In Angolan Portuguese, the phrase is used in formal legal and administrative contexts, often appearing in newspapers to describe shifts in government policy or international relations. In Mozambique, the idiom is part of the standard curriculum for advanced Portuguese learners, emphasizing its importance in understanding formal debates and media discourse.
Use with 'Dar'
Always remember that the verb is 'dar'. If you use 'fazer' or 'dizer', the idiom breaks and sounds unnatural.
Be Careful with Tone
This phrase can sound accusatory. If you say 'Tu deste o dito por não dito', you are essentially calling the person inconsistent or a liar.
En 15 segundos
- Retracting a statement as if it never happened.
- A verbal 'undo' button for promises or opinions.
- Used when changing your mind about something you said.
What It Means
Imagine you promised to pay for dinner. Suddenly, you see the bill is 200 euros. You might want to dar o dito por não dito. It means you are officially retracting a previous statement. You are acting as if those words never left your mouth. It is a verbal eraser for promises, opinions, or even insults.
How To Use It
You use the verb dar followed by the object and the phrase. Most people use it with the verb in the past tense like dei or deu. You can also use it as a proposal: 'Can we just pretend I didn't say that?' becomes Podemos dar o dito por não dito?. It is very flexible and works like a legal clause for your social life.
When To Use It
Use it when you realize you made a mistake. It is perfect for when you gave a wrong opinion about a movie. It is also great for business negotiations when a proposal is withdrawn. Use it when texting a friend after a 'drunk text' moment. It is the ultimate 'my bad' for things you actually voiced aloud.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for physical actions. You cannot dar o dito por não dito if you accidentally broke a vase. It only applies to spoken or written words. Also, avoid using it in very grave situations, like a court of law. It sounds a bit too casual if you are facing serious legal consequences. Don't use it if you are actually lying; it implies a retraction, not a deception.
Cultural Background
Portuguese culture values 'a palavra' (the word). Historically, a man's word was his bond. This expression emerged as a linguistic 'escape hatch.' It acknowledges that humans are impulsive. It is a polite, almost poetic way to admit you were wrong. It carries a sense of humility because you are admitting your previous words were invalid.
Common Variations
You might hear voltar atrás com a palavra. This is a bit more serious and heavy. Another one is retirar o que disse. While retirar is more direct, dar o dito por não dito has a rhythmic, traditional flair. It sounds more sophisticated and culturally 'in the know' when you use the full idiomatic version.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral-to-formal. It is grammatically treated as a standard verbal phrase where 'dar' is the only part that changes for person and tense.
Use with 'Dar'
Always remember that the verb is 'dar'. If you use 'fazer' or 'dizer', the idiom breaks and sounds unnatural.
Be Careful with Tone
This phrase can sound accusatory. If you say 'Tu deste o dito por não dito', you are essentially calling the person inconsistent or a liar.
C1 Nuance
Use this in writing to describe a 'volte-face' or a 'u-turn' in policy. It sounds much more native than simply saying 'mudou de ideia'.
Ejemplos
6Eu disse que pagava o jantar, mas agora dou o dito por não dito.
I said I'd pay for dinner, but now I'm taking that back.
A very common way to back out of a casual promise.
O relatório está errado, por isso damos o dito por não dito até à revisão.
The report is wrong, so we are retracting what was said until the revision.
Used here to freeze a statement in a work context.
Esquece o que eu mandei antes, dou o dito por não dito!
Forget what I sent before, I'm taking it back!
Perfect for correcting a text message sent in haste.
Eu disse que o ginásio era fácil? Dou já o dito por não dito!
Did I say the gym was easy? I take that back right now!
Self-deprecating humor about being wrong.
Não podes simplesmente dar o dito por não dito depois de me insultares!
You can't just take back what you said after insulting me!
Expressing frustration that words have consequences.
A empresa decidiu dar o dito por não dito em relação à proposta inicial.
The company decided to retract the initial proposal.
Shows the phrase can be used in formal business settings.
Ponte a prueba
Conjugate the verb 'dar' correctly in the following sentence (Pretérito Perfeito).
Ontem, o meu chefe prometeu-me um bónus, mas hoje ele ______ o dito por não dito.
The sentence refers to a completed action in the past ('ontem', 'hoje'), so the Pretérito Perfeito 'deu' is required.
Which situation best fits the use of 'dar o dito por não dito'?
Escolha a situação correta:
The idiom is specifically about retracting or denying a previous statement or promise.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
Ana: 'Tu disseste que me emprestavas o carro!' Pedro: 'Pois disse, mas mudei de ideias. ______.'
The correct verb for this idiom is always 'dar'.
Match the register to the sentence.
1. Formal, 2. Informal. A) 'Vais dar o dito por não dito? Que lata!' B) 'A instituição deu o dito por não dito perante a assembleia.'
'Que lata' is informal, while 'perante a assembleia' is formal.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosOntem, o meu chefe prometeu-me um bónus, mas hoje ele ______ o dito por não dito.
The sentence refers to a completed action in the past ('ontem', 'hoje'), so the Pretérito Perfeito 'deu' is required.
Escolha a situação correta:
The idiom is specifically about retracting or denying a previous statement or promise.
Ana: 'Tu disseste que me emprestavas o carro!' Pedro: 'Pois disse, mas mudei de ideias. ______.'
The correct verb for this idiom is always 'dar'.
1. Formal, 2. Informal. A) 'Vais dar o dito por não dito? Que lata!' B) 'A instituição deu o dito por não dito perante a assembleia.'
'Que lata' is informal, while 'perante a assembleia' is formal.
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Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, it is perfectly understood and used in Brazil, although Brazilians might also use 'voltar atrás' or 'roer a corda' in informal situations.
It's better to save it for significant retractions. For small slips, just say 'Enganei-me' or 'Queria dizer...'.
It's neutral. You can use it in a newspaper (formal) or with friends (informal).
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but 'manter a palavra' (to keep one's word) is the conceptual opposite.
No. 'O dito' is a masculine noun here referring to 'the statement'. It never changes gender.
Yes, e.g., 'Ele vai dar o dito por não dito'. It's very common for predictions.
Yes, it can be seen as disrespectful because it implies they are being dishonest or inconsistent.
It literally means 'as unsaid'. You are treating the 'said' thing as if it were 'unsaid'.
No, the phrase is fixed. You must say the whole thing for it to be an idiom.
Yes, it's very common when someone cancels plans at the last minute.
Frases relacionadas
voltar com a palavra atrás
synonymTo go back on one's word.
roer a corda
similarTo back out of a commitment.
cair em contradição
builds onTo contradict oneself.
desdizer-se
synonymTo retract what one said.
