Significado
To admit one's mistake or error, confessing to being wrong or incorrect.
Contexto cultural
In Brazil, the 'palmatória' was a common sight in schools until the mid-20th century. Many older Brazilians still have vivid (and painful) memories of it, which gives the idiom a visceral weight when used by older generations. In Portugal, the phrase is frequently used in political commentary. It is considered a sign of 'elevação' (high character) for a politician to 'dar a mão à palmatória' rather than doubling down on a mistake. Similar to other Lusophone countries, the phrase is used in formal education and legal contexts to denote the admission of a fault. In the 'mundo acadêmico' of Portuguese-speaking universities, this phrase is the gold standard for conceding a point in a thesis defense or a debate.
Use it to sound humble
Using this phrase instead of a simple 'I was wrong' makes you sound more articulate and emotionally intelligent in Portuguese.
Don't forget the Crase
In written exams (like CELPE-Bras), forgetting the accent on 'à palmatória' is a common way to lose points.
Significado
To admit one's mistake or error, confessing to being wrong or incorrect.
Use it to sound humble
Using this phrase instead of a simple 'I was wrong' makes you sound more articulate and emotionally intelligent in Portuguese.
Don't forget the Crase
In written exams (like CELPE-Bras), forgetting the accent on 'à palmatória' is a common way to lose points.
Regional variation
In Portugal, you might hear 'dar a mão à palmatória' more in formal contexts, while in Brazil it's common in both formal and semi-informal settings.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Eu não queria acreditar, mas depois de ver os dados, tive que ___ a mão ___ palmatória.
The verb is 'dar' and the contraction 'à' (a+a) is mandatory.
Which situation best fits the use of 'dar a mão à palmatória'?
Choose the correct context:
The idiom is specifically for admitting you were wrong and someone else was right.
Fill in the missing line in the dialogue.
A: 'Eu te disse que esse filme era chato!' B: 'É, você tinha razão. ________.'
B is admitting A was right, which is the perfect use for this idiom.
🎉 Puntuación: /3
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
3 ejerciciosEu não queria acreditar, mas depois de ver os dados, tive que ___ a mão ___ palmatória.
The verb is 'dar' and the contraction 'à' (a+a) is mandatory.
Choose the correct context:
The idiom is specifically for admitting you were wrong and someone else was right.
A: 'Eu te disse que esse filme era chato!' B: 'É, você tinha razão. ________.'
B is admitting A was right, which is the perfect use for this idiom.
🎉 Puntuación: /3
Preguntas frecuentes
5 preguntasNot at all! It's actually quite polite and shows maturity. It's a way of saying 'I respect the truth more than my own ego.'
You can, but it might sound a bit dramatic. For small things like 'I forgot the salt,' just say 'errei.' Save this for when you were stubborn about something.
It's an old wooden paddle used to hit students' hands. It's no longer used in schools, but the word lives on in this idiom.
Both are used. 'Dar a mão à palmatória' is slightly more common, but 'dar uma mão' is also perfectly acceptable.
Yes, 'Eles deram as mãos à palmatória,' but it's much more common to keep 'mão' in the singular even for multiple people.
Frases relacionadas
Dar o braço a torcer
synonymTo yield or give in.
Cair na real
similarTo face reality.
Reconhecer o erro
synonymTo recognize the mistake.
Bater no peito
contrastTo take pride or responsibility.
