In 15 Seconds
- Satisfying a specific craving or long-held desire.
- Commonly used for food, travel, or fun activities.
- Implies you have been wanting this for a while.
Meaning
This phrase means to finally satisfy a craving or desire for something you've been wanting for a long time. It is like 'getting your fix' or finally tasting something you've been dreaming about.
Key Examples
3 of 6Eating sushi after a long time
Finalmente vou tirar a boca desse sushi!
I'm finally going to satisfy my craving for this sushi!
Going to the beach after a busy month
Preciso ir à praia para tirar a boca do mar.
I need to go to the beach to get my fix of the ocean.
Talking to a boss about a vacation (carefully)
Nas férias, vou tirar a boca de viajar.
On my vacation, I'm going to satisfy my travel bug.
Cultural Background
This expression reflects the high value Lusophone cultures place on sensory satisfaction and 'vontade' (will/desire). It is deeply rooted in the social ritual of sharing meals and experiences that fulfill a specific longing.
The 'De' Connection
Always remember to use 'de' after the phrase. If you just say 'Vou tirar a boca', people might ask 'From what?'
Not for Serious Needs
Don't use this for things like 'satisfying my hunger' if you are starving. It's for cravings and treats, not survival!
In 15 Seconds
- Satisfying a specific craving or long-held desire.
- Commonly used for food, travel, or fun activities.
- Implies you have been wanting this for a while.
What It Means
Tirar a boca is all about satisfaction. Imagine you have been thinking about a specific chocolate cake for days. When you finally eat it, you tira a boca. It means you have fulfilled that specific desire. It is not just about eating. It can be about an experience you missed. You are removing the 'itch' or the 'taste' of wanting it. It is a very sensory way to describe relief.
How To Use It
You usually use it with the preposition de or em. Most people say tirar a boca de algo. Use it when you finally get what you wanted. It works best for food, travel, or hobbies. You do not use it for serious life goals. It is for the smaller, delicious cravings of life.
When To Use It
Use it at a restaurant when the food arrives. Use it when you finally visit the beach after winter. It is perfect for texting friends about your weekend plans. If you finally bought that video game, tell your friends you will tirar a boca. It shows you were really looking forward to it. It adds a layer of 'I really needed this' to your sentence.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this in a job interview. It is too casual for professional negotiations. Avoid using it for negative things. You do not tirar a boca of a chore or a bill. It is strictly for things that bring pleasure. Also, do not use it for long-term romantic love. It is more about the 'craving' than the 'commitment'.
Cultural Background
Brazilians love to talk about food and desires. The 'mouth' is the center of many Portuguese idioms. It represents our immediate senses and hungers. This expression likely comes from the idea of a 'lingering taste'. If you want something, you have the 'taste' in your mouth. By doing the thing, you 'take that taste away' by satisfying it. It is a very physical, passionate way to view happiness.
Common Variations
You might hear matar a vontade. This is much more common and means 'to kill the will'. Tirar a boca is a bit more specific to the 'taste' of the desire. In some regions, people say tirar a fissura. That one is much stronger, almost like an addiction. Stick with tirar a boca for a classic, slightly old-school charm.
Usage Notes
This phrase is perfect for casual settings. It carries a sense of relief and indulgence. Avoid in formal writing or when discussing serious topics.
The 'De' Connection
Always remember to use 'de' after the phrase. If you just say 'Vou tirar a boca', people might ask 'From what?'
Not for Serious Needs
Don't use this for things like 'satisfying my hunger' if you are starving. It's for cravings and treats, not survival!
Regional Flavors
In Portugal, you might hear 'tirar o desejo' more often, while 'tirar a boca' is a very cozy, colloquial Brazilian favorite.
Examples
6Finalmente vou tirar a boca desse sushi!
I'm finally going to satisfy my craving for this sushi!
Shows the speaker has been thinking about sushi for a while.
Preciso ir à praia para tirar a boca do mar.
I need to go to the beach to get my fix of the ocean.
Uses the sea as the object of the craving.
Nas férias, vou tirar a boca de viajar.
On my vacation, I'm going to satisfy my travel bug.
Slightly more relaxed but acceptable in a friendly workplace.
Sexta vamos tirar a boca de festa!
Friday we are going to get our party fix!
Very common in social planning via WhatsApp.
Vou pedir esse doce só para tirar a boca.
I'll order this sweet just to satisfy my craving.
Suggests the person doesn't need it, but wants the taste.
Estava com saudades, precisava tirar a boca da sua comida.
I missed it; I needed to satisfy my longing for your food.
Warm and affectionate use.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank to express you are satisfying a pizza craving.
Pedi uma pizza para ___ a boca.
The verb 'tirar' is the specific action used in this idiom to mean satisfying the craving.
Choose the correct preposition to follow the phrase.
Vou tirar a boca ___ chocolate.
In this context, 'de' (or its contractions) is the standard preposition used to link the phrase to the object of desire.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Scale of 'Tirar a boca'
Used among very close friends.
Tirar a fissura
Perfect for friends and family.
Tirar a boca
Safe for most daily interactions.
Matar a vontade
Too casual for this setting.
Satisfazer um desejo
Where to use 'Tirar a boca'
At a Bakery
Tirar a boca de pão de queijo
Travel Planning
Tirar a boca de viajar
After a Diet
Tirar a boca de doce
With Hobbies
Tirar a boca de jogar bola
Practice Bank
2 exercisesPedi uma pizza para ___ a boca.
The verb 'tirar' is the specific action used in this idiom to mean satisfying the craving.
Vou tirar a boca ___ chocolate.
In this context, 'de' (or its contractions) is the standard preposition used to link the phrase to the object of desire.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt means to satisfy a specific craving or a desire for something you haven't had in a while, like tirar a boca de chocolate.
Not exactly. It's about a specific 'will' or 'taste' rather than just needing calories. You tira a boca of something specific you love.
Only if you have a very friendly relationship with your colleagues. In a formal meeting, it's better to say satisfazer um desejo.
It is understood, but more common in Brazil. In Portugal, people might use matar as saudades for experiences or tirar o desejo for food.
The most common alternative is matar a vontade. It is used in almost the exact same way as tirar a boca.
It's a bit weird. If you say tirar a boca de você, it sounds very physical and perhaps too suggestive. Stick to objects or activities.
It's more of an informal idiom than 'heavy' slang. Your grandmother would use it, but a lawyer wouldn't use it in court.
It's a regular '-ar' verb. For example: Eu tiro a boca, Nós tiramos a boca, Eles tiraram a boca.
Mostly, but not always. You can tirar a boca of the cinema, the beach, or even playing a specific sport.
Forgetting the 'a'. Don't say tirar boca, always use the article: tirar a boca.
Related Phrases
Matar a vontade
Tirar o bucho
Ficar com água na boca
Matar a fissura
Tirar a limpo
