C1 Idiom Neutral

Deitar tudo a perder

To ruin everything

Significado

To destroy all efforts or progress made, causing failure.

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Contexto cultural

In Portugal, 'deitar' is the standard verb for 'throwing away' (deitar fora). Thus, the idiom feels very literal: you are throwing your efforts into the trash. Brazilians often use 'pôr tudo a perder'. Using 'deitar' can sound a bit more formal or dramatic, like something from a soap opera (telenovela). In Angolan Portuguese, the phrase is used similarly to Portugal, often in the context of social reputation and family honor. The phrase is common in formal education and media, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and not giving up on one's 'caminho' (path).

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Use with 'quase'

It's very common to say 'quase deitei tudo a perder' (I almost ruined everything) to show relief after a close call.

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Reflexive Trap

Don't use 'deitar-se' (reflexive) with this idiom. It's always 'deitar [something] a perder'.

Significado

To destroy all efforts or progress made, causing failure.

🎯

Use with 'quase'

It's very common to say 'quase deitei tudo a perder' (I almost ruined everything) to show relief after a close call.

⚠️

Reflexive Trap

Don't use 'deitar-se' (reflexive) with this idiom. It's always 'deitar [something] a perder'.

Ponte a prueba

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.

Nós trabalhámos meses nesta campanha, por isso não ______ tudo a perder agora com um erro básico.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: deites

The sentence uses the imperative/subjunctive to give a negative command/advice ('não deites').

Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?

Select the correct option:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Ela deitou a sua carreira a perder com o escândalo.

This follows the correct 'deitar [object] a perder' structure.

Match the situation to the phrase.

A team is winning 3-0 but loses focus and the game ends 3-3.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Eles deitaram tudo a perder no fim.

The team ruined their lead and progress.

Fill in the missing line.

A: 'O que aconteceu com o teu namoro?' B: 'Infelizmente, ______.'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: deitei tudo a perder com os meus ciúmes

Jealousy (ciúmes) is a common reason to ruin a relationship.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom. Fill Blank B2

Nós trabalhámos meses nesta campanha, por isso não ______ tudo a perder agora com um erro básico.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: deites

The sentence uses the imperative/subjunctive to give a negative command/advice ('não deites').

Which sentence uses the idiom correctly? Choose B1

Select the correct option:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Ela deitou a sua carreira a perder com o escândalo.

This follows the correct 'deitar [object] a perder' structure.

Match the situation to the phrase. situation_matching A2

A team is winning 3-0 but loses focus and the game ends 3-3.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Eles deitaram tudo a perder no fim.

The team ruined their lead and progress.

Fill in the missing line. dialogue_completion B2

A: 'O que aconteceu com o teu namoro?' B: 'Infelizmente, ______.'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: deitei tudo a perder com os meus ciúmes

Jealousy (ciúmes) is a common reason to ruin a relationship.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

3 preguntas

Yes, but 'pôr tudo a perder' is more common in daily conversation. 'Deitar' sounds slightly more formal or literary in Brazil.

Not really. It implies a significant loss of effort or a major failure. For small things, use 'estragar'.

'Deitar tudo a perder' focuses on the failure/loss, while 'jogar tudo fora' focuses on the waste of something that was still good.

Frases relacionadas

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Pôr tudo a perder

synonym

To put everything to loss.

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Jogar tudo fora

similar

To throw everything away.

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Ir tudo por água abaixo

similar

To go down the drain.

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Dar um tiro no pé

similar

To shoot oneself in the foot.

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