Signification
To make a big mistake or blunder, to screw up completely.
Contexte culturel
In Brazil, the 'feira livre' is a weekly tradition. The phrase evokes the specific chaos and informality of these markets. While understood due to Brazilian media, Portuguese natives are more likely to use 'meter a pata' or 'dar uma calinada'. In Luanda, Brazilian slang is very influential. 'Pisar no tomate' is used similarly to describe social errors. In modern Brazilian startups, this phrase is used to humanize mistakes and encourage a 'fail fast' culture.
Use for self-deprecation
It's a great way to admit a mistake without sounding too defensive.
Watch the preposition
Always use 'no', never 'na' or 'pelo'.
Signification
To make a big mistake or blunder, to screw up completely.
Use for self-deprecation
It's a great way to admit a mistake without sounding too defensive.
Watch the preposition
Always use 'no', never 'na' or 'pelo'.
Intensify it
Add 'feio' (ugly) to say you messed up really badly: 'Pisei no tomate feio!'
Regionality
This is very Brazilian. In Portugal, use 'meter a pata'.
Teste-toi
Complete a frase com a forma correta do idioma.
Eu ______ no tomate quando perguntei da idade dela.
The subject is 'Eu', so the verb 'pisar' must be in the first person singular past tense.
Qual situação melhor descreve 'pisar no tomate'?
Situação:
Forgetting a mother's birthday is a classic social/emotional blunder.
Complete o diálogo.
A: 'Mandei o e-mail reclamando do chefe para o próprio chefe!' B: 'Nossa, você ______!'
Sending a complaint to the person you are complaining about is a major blunder.
Associe o erro à expressão.
Dizer algo inconveniente em um funeral.
Socially inappropriate comments are the core of this idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Tomate vs. Bola
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesEu ______ no tomate quando perguntei da idade dela.
The subject is 'Eu', so the verb 'pisar' must be in the first person singular past tense.
Situação:
Forgetting a mother's birthday is a classic social/emotional blunder.
A: 'Mandei o e-mail reclamando do chefe para o próprio chefe!' B: 'Nossa, você ______!'
Sending a complaint to the person you are complaining about is a major blunder.
Dizer algo inconveniente em um funeral.
Socially inappropriate comments are the core of this idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's informal and slightly humorous, but not vulgar.
Only if you have a very relaxed relationship. Otherwise, use 'cometi um erro'.
'Pisar na bola' usually involves letting someone down; 'pisar no tomate' is more about a clumsy gaffe.
It's understood but not native to European Portuguese.
Technically yes, but the singular 'no tomate' is the standard idiomatic form.
Yes, it's a very close equivalent to 'screw up' or 'mess up'.
No, that's too serious. Use it for social or minor work mistakes.
Not at all, it's still very common in daily Brazilian speech.
Eu vou pisar no tomate, você vai pisar no tomate, etc.
Using it in a formal context where it sounds too casual.
Expressions liées
Pisar na bola
synonymTo let someone down.
Dar um fora
similarTo make a social gaffe.
Pisar em ovos
contrastTo be very careful.
Comer bola
similarTo miss a detail.
Meter os pés pelas mãos
builds onTo get confused.
