Meaning
To be a spendthrift, unable to hold onto money, spending it quickly.
Cultural Background
In Brazil, the idiom is often used lightheartedly to excuse oneself from social outings that involve spending. It's a way to admit financial lack of control without losing face. In Portugal, you might hear 'gastar como um descosido'. While 'mãos furadas' is understood, the 'unstitched' metaphor is a very common regional alternative. In Luanda, conspicuous consumption is sometimes a social status marker. Being 'mão furada' might be seen as a sign of 'kumbú' (money) abundance, even if it's reckless. The culture of 'morabeza' and sharing can sometimes overlap with the idea of 'mão aberta', but 'mão furada' remains a warning against individual waste.
Use 'Estar com' for temporary guilt
If you just spent too much today, say 'Estou com as mãos furadas'. It sounds less like a permanent character flaw.
Gender Agreement
Always keep 'furadas' feminine. Even if you are a man, your *hands* (as mãos) are feminine.
Meaning
To be a spendthrift, unable to hold onto money, spending it quickly.
Use 'Estar com' for temporary guilt
If you just spent too much today, say 'Estou com as mãos furadas'. It sounds less like a permanent character flaw.
Gender Agreement
Always keep 'furadas' feminine. Even if you are a man, your *hands* (as mãos) are feminine.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Eu não posso ir ao shopping hoje porque eu ________ as mãos furadas.
We use 'estar com' to indicate a temporary state of being a spendthrift.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct option:
'Mão' is feminine, so 'as mãos' and 'furadas' must agree.
Match the person to the description.
Ricardo spends his whole salary on the first day of the month.
Spendthrifts have 'mãos furadas'. The other options mean 'stingy'.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Mão Furada vs. Mão de Vaca
Practice Bank
3 exercisesEu não posso ir ao shopping hoje porque eu ________ as mãos furadas.
We use 'estar com' to indicate a temporary state of being a spendthrift.
Select the correct option:
'Mão' is feminine, so 'as mãos' and 'furadas' must agree.
Ricardo spends his whole salary on the first day of the month.
Spendthrifts have 'mãos furadas'. The other options mean 'stingy'.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsRarely. It is almost exclusively used for financial contexts. For secrets, we say 'língua de trapo' or 'fofoqueiro'.
Both are used. 'Mãos furadas' is more traditional/grammatically standard, while 'mão furada' is very common in Brazil.
Related Phrases
Mão-aberta
similarGenerous
Pão-duro
contrastStingy
Rasgar dinheiro
specialized formTo throw money away
