15 सेकंड में
- Pretending you don't know what is happening to avoid trouble.
- Commonly used when someone avoids a task or a question.
- A playful way to call out someone's feigned ignorance.
मतलब
This phrase describes someone who acts like they don't know what's happening to avoid trouble or responsibility. It is the art of playing dumb or feigning ignorance when you are actually fully aware of the situation.
मुख्य उदाहरण
3 / 6Calling out a friend who didn't pay the bill
Não adianta dar uma de gato, eu vi que você não pagou sua parte!
It's no use playing dumb, I saw that you didn't pay your share!
A colleague ignoring a difficult task
O chefe perguntou do relatório e ele deu uma de gato.
The boss asked about the report and he played dumb.
Texting a friend who is ignoring a message
Para de dar uma de gato e me responde no WhatsApp!
Stop playing dumb and answer me on WhatsApp!
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
The phrase draws from the behavior of domestic cats, which often act indifferent or 'innocent' after causing chaos. In Brazil, it is part of a larger set of 'dar uma de...' expressions used to compare someone's behavior to a specific character or animal. It captures the social nuance of avoiding conflict through tactical silence.
The 'Dar uma de...' Pattern
You can use 'dar uma de' + [noun] to mean 'acting like'. For example, 'dar uma de esperto' means acting like a know-it-all.
Don't confuse with 'Gato'
In Brazil, calling someone 'um gato' or 'uma gata' means they are very attractive. 'Dar uma de gato' has nothing to do with looks!
15 सेकंड में
- Pretending you don't know what is happening to avoid trouble.
- Commonly used when someone avoids a task or a question.
- A playful way to call out someone's feigned ignorance.
What It Means
Dar uma de gato is all about strategic ignorance. Imagine you forgot to do the dishes. Your partner asks why the sink is full. You look at the dishes with genuine surprise. You are 'giving one of a cat.' It means pretending you are clueless to escape a sticky situation. It is about acting innocent when you are definitely not.
How To Use It
You use this phrase when you catch someone—or yourself—acting oblivious. It functions as a verb phrase in Portuguese. You can say someone deu uma de gato in the past tense. Or you can tell a friend não dê uma de gato as a warning. It is punchy and very common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese. It fits perfectly into casual conversations where someone is being a bit sneaky.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend 'forgets' to pay their share of the bill. Use it at work when a colleague ignores an email they definitely saw. It is great for lighthearted call-outs. If you are texting a group and someone isn't replying to a plan, they might be dando uma de gato. It adds a layer of playfulness to an accusation. It turns a confrontation into a relatable observation.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in very formal legal settings or with your boss during a serious performance review. It is too informal for a court of law. Do not use it if the situation is a tragedy or a serious crime. It carries a tone of 'mischief' rather than 'malice.' If someone is truly grieving or confused, saying they are dando uma de gato would be quite rude. Keep it for the little white lies of life.
Cultural Background
Brazilians love cats for their perceived independence and 'poker face.' A cat can knock over a vase and then sit there looking perfectly calm. This observation birthed the idiom. It reflects the Brazilian 'jeitinho'—finding a way around rules. Sometimes, that 'way' is simply pretending the rules don't exist. It is a testament to the humor used to navigate social friction.
Common Variations
You might also hear dar uma de João sem braço. This is a slightly older but very common synonym. It literally means 'to act like John with no arms' (implying one can't help). Another variation is se fazer de morto (to play dead). Both carry the same energy of feigned helplessness. However, dar uma de gato remains a favorite for its short, snappy rhythm.
इस्तेमाल की जानकारी
This is a quintessential informal Brazilian expression. It's perfect for casual social dynamics but should be swapped for 'fingir desconhecimento' in formal writing.
The 'Dar uma de...' Pattern
You can use 'dar uma de' + [noun] to mean 'acting like'. For example, 'dar uma de esperto' means acting like a know-it-all.
Don't confuse with 'Gato'
In Brazil, calling someone 'um gato' or 'uma gata' means they are very attractive. 'Dar uma de gato' has nothing to do with looks!
The 'João sem braço' alternative
If you want to sound like a local from an older generation, swap 'gato' for 'João sem braço'. It's a classic Brazilian idiom.
उदाहरण
6Não adianta dar uma de gato, eu vi que você não pagou sua parte!
It's no use playing dumb, I saw that you didn't pay your share!
Used here to confront a friend in a direct but informal way.
O chefe perguntou do relatório e ele deu uma de gato.
The boss asked about the report and he played dumb.
Describes a third party avoiding work responsibility.
Para de dar uma de gato e me responde no WhatsApp!
Stop playing dumb and answer me on WhatsApp!
A common way to nudge someone who is 'ghosting' a specific question.
O João deu uma de gato quando perguntei quem comeu o bolo.
João played dumb when I asked who ate the cake.
Used for innocent or funny situations involving kids.
Na hora da cobrança, todo mundo resolveu dar uma de gato.
When it was time to be held accountable, everyone decided to play dumb.
Describes a group dynamic of avoiding blame.
Eu sei que você me ouviu, não precisa dar uma de gato.
I know you heard me, you don't need to play dumb.
A slightly more serious or annoyed tone between partners or close friends.
खुद को परखो
Choose the correct form of the phrase to complete the sentence.
O Marcos viu a bagunça, mas ___ e saiu da sala.
The context implies Marcos saw the mess but pretended not to to avoid cleaning it.
Complete the warning to a friend.
Não ___ comigo, eu sei que você esqueceu meu aniversário!
The imperative form 'não dê' is used to tell someone not to play dumb.
🎉 स्कोर: /2
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Formality Scale of 'Dar uma de gato'
Slang among close friends
Mano, não dá uma de gato!
Everyday talk with colleagues
Ele deu uma de gato na reunião.
Academic or legal writing
Avoid using here.
When to use 'Dar uma de gato'
Unpaid Bills
Friend ignores the check
Missed Deadlines
Colleague ignores the email
Broken Items
Roommate ignores the broken vase
Awkward Questions
Pretending not to hear a question
अभ्यास बैंक
2 अभ्यासO Marcos viu a bagunça, mas ___ e saiu da sala.
The context implies Marcos saw the mess but pretended not to to avoid cleaning it.
Não ___ comigo, eu sei que você esqueceu meu aniversário!
The imperative form 'não dê' is used to tell someone not to play dumb.
🎉 स्कोर: /2
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालIt means to pretend you don't know something to avoid responsibility or trouble. It's like saying Eu não sei de nada when you actually do.
It depends on your tone. Between friends, it's a playful call-out, but to a stranger, it might sound accusatory.
Only if the atmosphere is relaxed. If the meeting is serious or with high-level executives, it's better to avoid it.
Yes, it is very similar to the expression se fazer de morto. Both involve feigning ignorance or inactivity.
It conjugates normally. For example: Eu dei uma de gato, Nós demos uma de gato, or Eles deram uma de gato.
Yes, a huge one! Dar um pulo means to quickly visit a place, while dar uma de gato is about playing dumb.
It is much more common in Brazil. In Portugal, they might use different expressions for playing dumb, like fazer-se de desentendido.
Yes, the phrase stays the same: Ela deu uma de gato. You don't usually change 'gato' to 'gata' in this specific idiom.
A common mistake is thinking it means being sneaky or stealing (like a cat burglar). It specifically refers to the *pretense* of ignorance.
Because cats are famous for doing something wrong and then looking at you with a blank, innocent expression as if nothing happened.
संबंधित मुहावरे
dar uma de João sem braço
se fazer de morto
se fazer de desentendido
dar uma de esperto
