In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe finishing, destroying, or exhausting something completely.
- Always pair it with the preposition 'de' (dar cabo de).
- Great for food, chores, or things that break down.
Meaning
This phrase is your go-to for when something is finished, destroyed, or totally worn out. It is like saying you 'did away with' something or 'wrecked' it, whether that's a plate of food or your old pair of shoes.
Key Examples
3 of 6Eating a big meal
Vou dar cabo desta pizza sozinho!
I'm going to finish off this pizza by myself!
Talking about a broken phone
O meu filho deu cabo do meu telemóvel.
My son wrecked my phone.
Professional frustration
Este relatório vai dar cabo de mim.
This report is going to be the end of me.
Cultural Background
The expression has deep roots in nautical terminology, where 'cabo' refers to the end of a rope or a geographical cape. It evolved from a literal maritime task to a common way to describe finishing or destroying something in daily life. It is particularly popular in European Portuguese but widely understood everywhere.
The 'De' Rule
Always remember the 'de'. You don't just 'dar cabo' something; you 'dar cabo DE' something. It's the glue that makes the phrase work!
Careful with People
If you say 'vou dar cabo de ti', it sounds like a threat from a movie villain. Use it for tasks and objects unless you're joking with a very close friend.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to describe finishing, destroying, or exhausting something completely.
- Always pair it with the preposition 'de' (dar cabo de).
- Great for food, chores, or things that break down.
What It Means
Dar cabo essentially means to bring something to its final conclusion. Think of it as 'finishing off' a task or 'ending' the life of an object. If you eat the last slice of pizza, you deu cabo of it. If you work so hard your phone battery dies, you deu cabo of the battery. It carries a sense of completion that is often quite decisive.
How To Use It
You usually follow the phrase with the preposition de. So, it becomes dar cabo de something. It is a very versatile verb phrase. You can use it for physical objects, tasks, or even abstract concepts like 'patience.' It is punchy and effective. Just remember to conjugate the verb dar according to who is doing the 'finishing.'
When To Use It
Use it when you want to sound natural and expressive. At a restaurant, tell your friends you will dar cabo of that dessert. When cleaning your house, you are dando cabo of the mess. It works perfectly when you are frustrated too. If your computer crashes, you might feel like dar cabo of it (metaphorically, we hope!). It adds a bit of flavor that a simple 'finish' doesn't have.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this in extremely formal legal documents or high-level academic papers. It is a bit too colorful for a contract. Also, be careful using it with people. Saying you want to dar cabo of someone can sound quite aggressive or even threatening. It implies 'getting rid of' them. Stick to objects, food, and tasks to stay on the safe side of social norms.
Cultural Background
The word cabo comes from the Latin 'caput,' meaning head or end. In Portuguese maritime history, a cabo is also a cable or a cape (like Cabo da Boa Esperança). To 'give end' to the rope meant you reached the very tip. It reflects the Portuguese soul of navigating things to their absolute conclusion. It is a phrase that has survived centuries because it is so satisfying to say.
Common Variations
In Portugal, you might hear dar cabo da cabeça which means to drive someone crazy. In Brazil, people might use acabar com more frequently in casual speech. However, dar cabo remains a classic across the Lusophone world. You might also hear dar cabo do juízo, which is a funny way to say someone is making you lose your mind. It is all about that finality!
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral-to-informal. It is highly versatile but requires the preposition 'de'. In the past tense, 'dar' becomes 'dei', 'deste', 'deu', etc.
The 'De' Rule
Always remember the 'de'. You don't just 'dar cabo' something; you 'dar cabo DE' something. It's the glue that makes the phrase work!
Careful with People
If you say 'vou dar cabo de ti', it sounds like a threat from a movie villain. Use it for tasks and objects unless you're joking with a very close friend.
The 'Juízo' Variation
If a Portuguese person says you are 'dando cabo do juízo' them, it means you're testing their sanity. It's a very common 'mom' phrase!
Examples
6Vou dar cabo desta pizza sozinho!
I'm going to finish off this pizza by myself!
Shows enthusiasm for finishing food.
O meu filho deu cabo do meu telemóvel.
My son wrecked my phone.
Used here to mean 'destroyed' or 'broke'.
Este relatório vai dar cabo de mim.
This report is going to be the end of me.
Expresses that a task is exhausting or overwhelming.
Já dei cabo das limpezas!
I've already finished off the cleaning!
Informal way to say a task is done.
O barulho dos vizinhos dá cabo do meu juízo.
The neighbors' noise is driving me crazy.
A common idiom meaning to lose one's mind/patience.
Esta situação deu cabo da nossa amizade.
This situation ruined our friendship.
Refers to the end of a relationship or bond.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence to say you finished the cake.
Eu ___ cabo do bolo todo.
The phrase is 'dar cabo', and 'dei' is the past tense of 'dar' for 'I'.
Choose the correct preposition to follow 'dar cabo'.
Ela deu cabo ___ sapatos novos na caminhada.
'Dar cabo' always requires the preposition 'de' (or its contractions like 'do', 'da').
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
How formal is 'Dar Cabo'?
Too common for street slang.
N/A
Perfect for friends and family.
Dei cabo do chocolate!
Safe for most daily interactions.
O trabalho deu cabo de mim.
Use 'concluir' or 'terminar' instead.
Concluímos o projeto.
Where to use 'Dar Cabo'
At the Table
Finishing a delicious meal.
At Work
Finishing a pile of documents.
Home Repairs
When you accidentally break a vase.
Gym/Sports
Being exhausted after a workout.
Practice Bank
2 exercisesEu ___ cabo do bolo todo.
The phrase is 'dar cabo', and 'dei' is the past tense of 'dar' for 'I'.
Ela deu cabo ___ sapatos novos na caminhada.
'Dar cabo' always requires the preposition 'de' (or its contractions like 'do', 'da').
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot at all! While it can mean to break something, it often just means to finish something completely, like dar cabo do trabalho (finishing work).
It's a bit too casual for an interview. Better to use concluir or finalizar to sound more professional.
It is very common in both, but you will hear it constantly in Portugal. Brazilians often use acabar com as an alternative.
You can say Eu dei cabo da tarefa. It sounds like you really tackled it and got it done.
It means to annoy someone or make them think too much. For example: Este problema dá-me cabo da cabeça.
No, it's not rude. It's just informal and expressive. It's perfectly fine for daily life with people you know.
Yes! You can say O GPS deu cabo da bateria do telemóvel (The GPS drained/finished the phone battery).
There isn't a direct opposite phrase, but começar (to start) or criar (to create) would be the logical opposites.
Not really. For 'killing time', Portuguese uses matar o tempo. Dar cabo implies more of an ending or destruction.
It's more of a colloquial expression (collocation) than pure slang. Most age groups use it comfortably.
Related Phrases
acabar com
to end / to put a stop to
dar cabo do juízo
to drive someone crazy
fazer num instante
to do something in a flash
deitar a perder
to spoil or ruin something
