In 15 Seconds
- To admit you were wrong after being stubborn.
- To finally give in to someone else's argument.
- Commonly used in the negative to describe stubborn people.
Meaning
This phrase means to finally admit you were wrong or to give in after being stubborn. It is like saying 'I surrender' or 'You win' during an argument or a tough decision.
Key Examples
3 of 6Admitting a movie was actually good
Eu não queria vir, mas dou o braço a torcer: o filme é ótimo.
I didn't want to come, but I'll admit it: the movie is great.
Talking about a stubborn boss
O chefe nunca dá o braço a torcer, mesmo quando está errado.
The boss never gives in, even when he is wrong.
Texting a friend about a bet
Tá bom, você venceu. Dou o braço a torcer!
Okay, you won. I give in!
Cultural Background
The expression likely originates from traditional wrestling or physical disputes where 'giving one's arm to be twisted' signified a total submission to the opponent. In Lusophone cultures, where social standing and 'being right' can be matters of pride, using this phrase often signals a significant, albeit sometimes reluctant, show of humility.
The Power of 'Não'
You will hear this phrase in the negative 80% of the time. Saying someone 'não dá o braço a torcer' is the standard way to call them stubborn.
Don't get physical
Never use this if someone is actually hurting your arm! It is strictly for metaphorical pride and arguments.
In 15 Seconds
- To admit you were wrong after being stubborn.
- To finally give in to someone else's argument.
- Commonly used in the negative to describe stubborn people.
What It Means
Dar o braço a torcer is all about pride. It describes that moment you stop resisting. You finally accept someone else's point of view. It is the verbal white flag of surrender. Use it when you change your mind. Use it when you admit a mistake. It is about letting go of your stubbornness.
How To Use It
You usually use it with the word não. Most people say não dou o braço a torcer. This means 'I am not backing down.' If you finally agree, you say you deu o braço a torcer. It works just like a regular verb. You can conjugate dar for any person or tense. It is perfect for those 'I told you so' moments.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing opinions or debates. It is great for office meetings about strategy. It works perfectly when arguing with a partner about directions. Use it when a friend finally tries a food they hated. It is common in sports talk too. If a rival team plays well, you might have to dar o braço a torcer.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for physical actions. It has nothing to do with actual wrestling. Avoid it in very tragic or somber situations. It is too idiomatic for a funeral or a crisis. Do not use it for simple permissions. Use it only when there was initial resistance. If you agreed immediately, this phrase does not fit.
Cultural Background
Brazilians and Portuguese people value being firm in their convictions. Stubbornness is often seen as a sign of strength. This phrase likely comes from old wrestling matches. If your arm is twisted, you have lost. Admitting defeat is a big deal in these cultures. It shows a mix of humility and honesty. It is a very human, relatable expression.
Common Variations
You will mostly hear the negative version. Ele é muito teimoso, não dá o braço a torcer. This means he is extremely stubborn. Sometimes people add por nada at the end. This adds extra emphasis to the refusal. You might also hear custar a dar o braço a torcer. This means it took a long time to admit it.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile and fits into almost any conversation that isn't extremely formal (like a legal document) or extremely vulgar. Remember that 'dar' is an irregular verb, so watch your conjugations!
The Power of 'Não'
You will hear this phrase in the negative 80% of the time. Saying someone 'não dá o braço a torcer' is the standard way to call them stubborn.
Don't get physical
Never use this if someone is actually hurting your arm! It is strictly for metaphorical pride and arguments.
The 'Teimoso' Connection
In Portugal and Brazil, being 'teimoso' (stubborn) is a common personality trope. This phrase is the ultimate 'cure' for a 'teimoso'.
Examples
6Eu não queria vir, mas dou o braço a torcer: o filme é ótimo.
I didn't want to come, but I'll admit it: the movie is great.
The speaker is admitting their initial reluctance was wrong.
O chefe nunca dá o braço a torcer, mesmo quando está errado.
The boss never gives in, even when he is wrong.
Used here to describe a personality trait of stubbornness.
Tá bom, você venceu. Dou o braço a torcer!
Okay, you won. I give in!
A casual way to end a friendly dispute via text.
Minha dieta ia bem, mas dei o braço a torcer para aquela pizza.
My diet was going well, but I gave in to that pizza.
Humorously treating a pizza like a persuasive opponent.
Eu fui teimoso, mas agora dou o braço a torcer e peço desculpas.
I was stubborn, but now I'm giving in and apologizing.
Used to show vulnerability and sincerity.
Temos que dar o braço a torcer, o projeto deles funcionou.
We have to admit it, their project actually worked.
A neutral, objective admission of a rival's success.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the sentence about a stubborn friend.
O João é muito teimoso. Ele nunca ___ o braço a torcer.
Since 'O João' is the third person singular (he), the correct conjugation of 'dar' is 'dá'.
Complete the sentence to admit you were wrong about a restaurant.
A comida estava deliciosa. Eu ___ o braço a torcer.
The speaker is talking about themselves ('Eu'), so the past tense 'dei' is appropriate for admitting a past mistake.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of 'Dar o braço a torcer'
Used with friends when arguing about small things like where to eat.
Dá o braço a torcer, a minha ideia é melhor!
Common in news or office settings to describe negotiations.
A empresa não deu o braço a torcer nas negociações.
Acceptable in writing, though slightly idiomatic.
É necessário dar o braço a torcer perante as evidências.
When to use 'Dar o braço a torcer'
Sports
Admitting a rival player is talented.
Relationships
Ending an argument about chores.
Food
Liking a dish you thought you'd hate.
Work
Accepting a colleague's better plan.
Practice Bank
2 exercisesO João é muito teimoso. Ele nunca ___ o braço a torcer.
Since 'O João' is the third person singular (he), the correct conjugation of 'dar' is 'dá'.
A comida estava deliciosa. Eu ___ o braço a torcer.
The speaker is talking about themselves ('Eu'), so the past tense 'dei' is appropriate for admitting a past mistake.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot necessarily. While it means you lost an argument, using it can show you are honest and mature enough to admit mistakes.
Yes! You can use it for something as small as admitting a song is catchy, like Tudo bem, a música é boa, dou o braço a torcer.
No, it is quite neutral. However, telling someone Dê o braço a torcer! can sound a bit pushy or confrontational.
You say Nós demos o braço a torcer. Use this when a group finally agrees with an outside opinion.
Not exactly, but in very informal Brazilian Portuguese, people might just say Arreguei, which is much more 'street' and means 'I chickened out/gave up'.
It might be a bit too informal. Instead, use reconhecer que estava equivocado (recognize I was mistaken).
The opposite is bater o pé, which means to insist on something and refuse to change your mind.
Usually, yes. There needs to be a conflict of ideas or a resistance before you 'give your arm'.
Yes, it is widely understood and used in both Brazil and Portugal, as well as Angola and Mozambique.
No, for physical surrender in a fight, use render-se or entregar-se.
Related Phrases
Bater o pé (To insist/stand one's ground)
Engolir o sapo (To endure something unpleasant without complaining)
Cair na real (To face reality)
Mudar de ideia (To change one's mind)
Reconhecer o erro (To admit the mistake)
