In 15 Seconds
- Deliberately ignoring a mistake or a minor rule violation.
- Acting like you didn't see something you actually noticed.
- A social tool used to avoid unnecessary conflict or tension.
Meaning
It means choosing to ignore something wrong or improper that you definitely noticed. You see it happening, but you act like you didn't see a thing.
Key Examples
3 of 6A mother seeing her kid eat chocolate before dinner
Minha mãe fez vista grossa quando me viu comendo doce.
My mom turned a blind eye when she saw me eating candy.
A boss ignoring a late employee
O chefe fez vista grossa para o meu atraso hoje.
The boss turned a blind eye to my lateness today.
Texting a friend about a secret
Eu vi o que você fez, mas vou fazer vista grossa!
I saw what you did, but I'll turn a blind eye!
Cultural Background
Linked to 'O Jeitinho', where rules are seen as flexible suggestions. Fazer vista grossa is often a social favor. Used frequently in bureaucratic contexts to describe when officials don't follow the letter of the law. Can be associated with 'gasosa' (small bribes), where an official ignores an infraction after receiving a gift. Often used to describe 'toxic' environments where management ignores harassment or small thefts.
Preposition Choice
Use 'para' for a more modern, Brazilian feel, and 'a' for a more formal or European feel.
Don't use 'olho'
Never say 'fazer olho grosso'. It's a common mistake that sounds very strange to natives.
In 15 Seconds
- Deliberately ignoring a mistake or a minor rule violation.
- Acting like you didn't see something you actually noticed.
- A social tool used to avoid unnecessary conflict or tension.
What It Means
Imagine you see your friend sneak an extra cookie. You lock eyes, but you look away and whistle. That is fazer vista grossa. It is the art of intentional blindness. You aren't actually blind. You are just pretending the 'image' in your mind is too 'thick' or blurry to understand. It is a conscious choice to avoid conflict or trouble.
How To Use It
You use it like a regular verb phrase. The verb fazer changes based on who is doing the ignoring. If I ignore it, eu faço vista grossa. If we all ignore it, nós fazemos vista grossa. It usually follows the pattern: [Person] + [fazer] + vista grossa + [para/com] + [the thing being ignored]. It is simple, punchy, and very common in daily speech.
When To Use It
Use it when someone breaks a minor rule. Maybe a security guard lets you into a concert late. Perhaps a teacher ignores a student whispering. It works perfectly at work when a boss ignores a small mistake. Use it with friends when someone says something slightly embarrassing. It is the perfect 'get out of jail free' card for social awkwardness.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for serious crimes or accidents. If you see a bank robbery, you don't fazer vista grossa; you call the police! Also, avoid it if you truly didn't see something. This phrase implies you are fully aware of the situation. If you were just distracted, use não vi. Using it for big tragedies can make you sound heartless.
Cultural Background
Brazilians are known for being flexible with rules, a concept often called 'o jeitinho'. Fazer vista grossa is the engine that makes this flexibility work. It reflects a culture that values social harmony over strict, cold rules. It is about being 'gente fina' (a good person) by not making a fuss over small things. It has been a staple of the language for centuries.
Common Variations
You might hear fechar os olhos (to close the eyes). This is almost identical but feels a bit more poetic. Some people say fingir que não viu (pretend you didn't see). However, fazer vista grossa sounds more idiomatic and 'native'. It carries a weight of 'I saw it, but I'm being cool about it' that other phrases lack.
Usage Notes
The phrase is very versatile and fits almost any social situation. Just remember that it requires an object—you are always turning a blind eye *to* something (`para algo`).
Preposition Choice
Use 'para' for a more modern, Brazilian feel, and 'a' for a more formal or European feel.
Don't use 'olho'
Never say 'fazer olho grosso'. It's a common mistake that sounds very strange to natives.
Conjugation Trick
If you struggle with 'fazer', use 'fechar os olhos'—it's easier to conjugate and means the same thing!
Social Context
In Brazil, calling someone 'certinho' (someone who never makes vista grossa) can sometimes be a mild insult, implying they are too rigid.
Examples
6Minha mãe fez vista grossa quando me viu comendo doce.
My mom turned a blind eye when she saw me eating candy.
Shows a parent being lenient.
O chefe fez vista grossa para o meu atraso hoje.
The boss turned a blind eye to my lateness today.
Professional context where a rule is bent.
Eu vi o que você fez, mas vou fazer vista grossa!
I saw what you did, but I'll turn a blind eye!
Playful and conspiratorial between friends.
O segurança fez vista grossa e me deixou entrar com água.
The guard turned a blind eye and let me enter with water.
Common real-world scenario with minor rules.
As autoridades não podem fazer vista grossa para esse problema.
The authorities cannot turn a blind eye to this problem.
A more serious, formal tone regarding responsibility.
Fiz vista grossa para a sua dança horrível na festa.
I turned a blind eye to your terrible dancing at the party.
Using the phrase to tease a friend.
Test Yourself
Complete a frase com a forma correta do verbo 'fazer'.
Ontem, o guarda _______ vista grossa para a minha multa.
Como a ação aconteceu 'ontem', usamos o pretérito perfeito 'fez'.
Qual é o significado de 'fazer vista grossa'?
A expressão significa...
A expressão é figurativa e refere-se a ignorar intencionalmente uma falha.
Em qual destas situações é MAIS provável alguém fazer vista grossa?
Escolha a situação:
Vista grossa é geralmente usada para faltas menores ou situações sociais onde a flexibilidade é possível.
Complete o diálogo.
A: 'Você viu que ele não pagou o café?' B: 'Vi, mas ele está sem dinheiro, então eu _______.'
Esta é a forma canônica da expressão em português.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Vista Grossa vs. Passar Pano
Common Situations
Authority
- • Police
- • Teachers
- • Bosses
Social
- • Friends
- • Neighbors
- • Partners
Practice Bank
4 exercisesOntem, o guarda _______ vista grossa para a minha multa.
Como a ação aconteceu 'ontem', usamos o pretérito perfeito 'fez'.
A expressão significa...
A expressão é figurativa e refere-se a ignorar intencionalmente uma falha.
Escolha a situação:
Vista grossa é geralmente usada para faltas menores ou situações sociais onde a flexibilidade é possível.
A: 'Você viu que ele não pagou o café?' B: 'Vi, mas ele está sem dinheiro, então eu _______.'
Esta é a forma canônica da expressão em português.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot necessarily. It can be a sign of kindness or flexibility in minor social situations.
Yes, you can say 'Eu fiz vista grossa para o meu próprio erro' (I ignored my own mistake).
'Vista grossa' is just ignoring. 'Passar pano' is actively defending the person who did wrong.
Yes, it is perfectly common and understood in all Portuguese-speaking countries.
Use 'negligenciar' or 'omitir-se'.
No, that doesn't exist. The opposite is 'fazer vista miúda', but it's very rare.
Usually, you use 'para' + the thing you are ignoring.
No, it's an idiom. It's appropriate for neutral and formal settings.
No, for sounds use 'fazer ouvidos moucos'.
It refers to a 'coarse' or non-detailed inspection.
Related Phrases
fechar os olhos
synonymTo close one's eyes to something.
passar pano
similarTo defend or make excuses for someone.
olho gordo
contrastThe evil eye / envy.
dar um desconto
similarTo give someone a break.
fazer ouvidos moucos
similarTo turn a deaf ear.
