Meaning
To be full of energy, enthusiasm, and ready for action.
Cultural Background
In Brazil, this phrase is almost synonymous with 'Carnival spirit'. It's used to describe the infectious energy of the crowds. In Portugal, while common, it is often used to describe children's behavior or a busy day at work with a slightly more literal mechanical undertone. In Luanda, you might hear this in the context of 'Kuduro' dance culture, describing dancers with incredible stamina. Used similarly to Portugal, often in family settings to describe energetic relatives during celebrations.
Use with 'Estar'
Always remember this is a temporary state. If you use 'ser', people will understand but it sounds unnatural.
Gender Agreement
Don't change 'corda' to 'cordo' for men. The idiom is a fixed feminine phrase.
Meaning
To be full of energy, enthusiasm, and ready for action.
Use with 'Estar'
Always remember this is a temporary state. If you use 'ser', people will understand but it sounds unnatural.
Gender Agreement
Don't change 'corda' to 'cordo' for men. The idiom is a fixed feminine phrase.
Irony
You can use it ironically for someone who is being annoyingly hyperactive or talking too much.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'estar'.
Hoje eu ______ com a corda toda!
We use 'estou' for 'eu' (I) in temporary states.
Which situation best fits the phrase 'estar com a corda toda'?
A Maria...
The phrase describes high energy and activity.
Complete the dialogue.
Pai: As crianças já foram dormir? Mãe: Não, elas ainda ________________.
If they aren't sleeping, they likely have too much energy.
Match the person to their state.
Match the following:
Coffee usually leads to being 'com a corda toda'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHoje eu ______ com a corda toda!
We use 'estou' for 'eu' (I) in temporary states.
A Maria...
The phrase describes high energy and activity.
Pai: As crianças já foram dormir? Mãe: Não, elas ainda ________________.
If they aren't sleeping, they likely have too much energy.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Coffee usually leads to being 'com a corda toda'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsUsually no. It's almost always used for people, animals, or abstract groups like 'the team' or 'the economy'.
Not at all! It's a very positive and friendly idiom.
You could say 'estar sem corda' (rare) or simply 'estar exausto' or 'estar morto' (slang for tired).
The meaning is identical. In Portugal, you might hear 'estar à corda toda', but 'com a' is universal.
Yes, to show enthusiasm, but keep it slightly more professional: 'Estou com a corda toda para este novo desafio.'
No, 'corda' means rope or string, referring to the spring in a mechanical toy.
No, the idiom is fixed as 'toda' (all/whole).
Yes, many Brazilian songs use it to describe the energy of a party or a person.
Use the imperfect: 'Eu estava com a corda toda'.
It is much more common in spoken Portuguese and informal texting.
Related Phrases
Estar a todo o vapor
synonymTo be at full steam.
Estar a mil
synonymTo be at a thousand.
Estar pilhado
slangTo be charged up (like a battery).
Dar corda a alguém
builds onTo encourage someone to talk or act.
