In 15 Seconds
- To make a triumphant comeback after a failure.
- Overcoming a major life obstacle or heartbreak.
- Rising above a difficult situation to succeed.
Meaning
This phrase is the ultimate expression for making a comeback. It describes someone who was in a bad situation but managed to overcome it and end up even better than before.
Key Examples
3 of 6Encouraging a friend after a breakup
Eu sei que dói agora, mas você vai dar a volta por cima.
I know it hurts now, but you are going to make a comeback.
Talking about a business recovery
A empresa quase faliu, mas conseguimos dar a volta por cima este ano.
The company almost went bankrupt, but we managed to turn things around this year.
Texting a friend who failed an exam
Relaxa! No próximo semestre você dá a volta por cima.
Relax! Next semester you'll bounce back.
Cultural Background
The expression gained massive popularity through the 1962 Samba 'Volta por Cima' by Paulo Vanzolini. It captures a core Brazilian cultural trait: the 'resiliência' to face economic or personal hardships with a smile. It is often associated with the idea that the best revenge is living well and succeeding.
The 'Samba' Connection
If you want to impress Brazilians, mention the song 'Volta por Cima'. It shows you understand the soul of the phrase.
Don't say 'por baixo'
If you say 'dar a volta por baixo', it means the opposite—failing or being humiliated. Always stay 'por cima'!
In 15 Seconds
- To make a triumphant comeback after a failure.
- Overcoming a major life obstacle or heartbreak.
- Rising above a difficult situation to succeed.
What It Means
Imagine you are knocked down. Instead of staying there, you flip the script. Dar a volta por cima is about resilience. It means overcoming a crisis or a breakup. It is about winning after a major loss. You do not just recover; you thrive. It is the classic 'phoenix rising from the ashes' vibe.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb phrase. You can conjugate dar in any tense. Use it when talking about yourself or others. It sounds active and powerful. It implies effort and a successful result. It is very common in motivational contexts.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend loses their job. Use it after a messy divorce. It works perfectly in sports when a team wins after trailing. You can text it to someone who had a bad day. It fits in business meetings about company turnarounds. It is great for celebrating a personal victory.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for small, trivial things. Do not use it if you just found your lost keys. It is too dramatic for minor inconveniences. Avoid it if the person is still grieving deeply. It might sound dismissive if used too early. Wait until the 'bounce back' phase begins.
Cultural Background
This phrase is deeply rooted in Brazilian Samba culture. A famous song by Paulo Vanzolini made it a national anthem. The lyrics say: 'Recognize the fall, but do not stay down.' It reflects the Brazilian spirit of 'jeitinho' and resilience. It is a point of national pride to always bounce back. Brazilians value the emotional strength this phrase represents.
Common Variations
You might hear people just say ele deu a volta. However, adding por cima adds the 'triumph' element. Sometimes people say superar for a more formal tone. But dar a volta por cima has much more soul. It is the difference between 'recovering' and 'crushing it'.
Usage Notes
The phrase is extremely versatile. While it works in formal settings, its emotional weight makes it perfect for heartfelt conversations and motivational speeches.
The 'Samba' Connection
If you want to impress Brazilians, mention the song 'Volta por Cima'. It shows you understand the soul of the phrase.
Don't say 'por baixo'
If you say 'dar a volta por baixo', it means the opposite—failing or being humiliated. Always stay 'por cima'!
Pronunciation Secret
In casual speech, 'dar a volta' often sounds like 'dá-vórta'. Don't be afraid to blend the words together.
Examples
6Eu sei que dói agora, mas você vai dar a volta por cima.
I know it hurts now, but you are going to make a comeback.
Used here to provide emotional support and hope.
A empresa quase faliu, mas conseguimos dar a volta por cima este ano.
The company almost went bankrupt, but we managed to turn things around this year.
Shows a successful professional recovery.
Relaxa! No próximo semestre você dá a volta por cima.
Relax! Next semester you'll bounce back.
Casual and encouraging via text.
O time estava perdendo, mas deu a volta por cima no segundo tempo.
The team was losing, but they made a comeback in the second half.
Commonly used in sports broadcasting.
Derrubei café na camisa, mas dei a volta por cima com esse casaco novo.
I spilled coffee on my shirt, but I made a comeback with this new jacket.
Using a big expression for a small win for comedic effect.
Muitos aqui enfrentaram desafios, mas todos deram a volta por cima.
Many here faced challenges, but everyone rose above them.
Inspiring a large audience.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the comeback story.
Depois de perder o emprego, o João ___ a volta por cima e abriu seu próprio negócio.
We use the past tense 'deu' because the action of overcoming the situation is completed.
Complete the encouraging phrase.
Não desista! Você ainda vai dar a volta ___.
'Por cima' (over the top) is the essential part of the idiom meaning success.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of 'Dar a volta por cima'
Used with friends after a bad date.
Amiga, dá a volta por cima!
Standard use in news or daily talk.
O ator deu a volta por cima.
In speeches or professional writing.
A instituição deu a volta por cima.
When to use 'Dar a volta por cima'
Career setback
Getting a better job after being fired.
Sports
Winning after a long injury.
Relationships
Finding happiness after a breakup.
Health
Recovering from a serious illness.
Practice Bank
2 exercisesDepois de perder o emprego, o João ___ a volta por cima e abriu seu próprio negócio.
We use the past tense 'deu' because the action of overcoming the situation is completed.
Não desista! Você ainda vai dar a volta ___.
'Por cima' (over the top) is the essential part of the idiom meaning success.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt literally means 'to give the turn over the top'. It visualizes someone doing a full rotation to end up on top of a situation.
Yes, it is neutral enough. You could say A equipe deu a volta por cima to describe a project that was failing but succeeded.
It sounds a bit dramatic for small things. Use it for significant life events to keep the impact of the phrase.
You conjugate the verb dar. For 'we', it is Nós demos a volta por cima (Past) or Nós vamos dar a volta por cima (Future).
People might say lacrou or mitou after a comeback, but dar a volta por cima is the classic, timeless way to say it.
Yes, it is widely understood and used in all Portuguese-speaking countries, though it has a very strong cultural heart in Brazil.
The opposite would be ir de mal a pior (to go from bad to worse) or ficar na pior (to stay in a bad state).
No, it is always a verbal expression. You don't say 'a volta por cima foi boa', you say 'ele deu a volta por cima'.
Not at all. It is a very positive, empowering, and motivational expression.
Sometimes. It can imply that you succeeded despite someone wanting you to fail, but it's mostly about personal growth.
Related Phrases
Superar
To overcome (more formal)
Fênix
Phoenix (often used to describe someone who 'deu a volta por cima')
Levantar a poeira
To shake off the dust (part of the same famous Samba)
Recomeçar
To start over
