15秒了解
- Used when someone is about to be fired or kicked out.
- Metaphor for having your bags packed because you are leaving.
- Common in gossip, sports talk, and workplace venting.
意思
It means someone is about to be fired, kicked out, or is facing inevitable failure. Imagine someone has already packed their bags because they know their time is up.
关键例句
3 / 6Gossiping about a colleague
O chefe descobriu o erro dele; ele está de malas aviadas.
The boss found his mistake; he's done for.
Discussing a failing sports coach
Depois desta derrota, o treinador está de malas aviadas.
After this defeat, the coach is as good as gone.
Texting a friend about a breakup
Acho que o meu namorado está de malas aviadas.
I think my boyfriend is about to be kicked out.
文化背景
The phrase stems from the old practice of 'aviar' (preparing) luggage for long sea or land voyages. In Portuguese culture, the idea of 'the bags are ready' signifies a point of no return. It has evolved from a literal travel preparation to a metaphor for inevitable dismissal or social exit.
The Brazil Variation
If you are in Brazil, swap `aviadas` for `prontas`. Brazilians will understand `aviadas`, but `malas prontas` is their daily bread.
Don't be too literal
If you tell someone at the airport they are `de malas aviadas`, they might think you mean they are getting fired, not that their flight is ready!
15秒了解
- Used when someone is about to be fired or kicked out.
- Metaphor for having your bags packed because you are leaving.
- Common in gossip, sports talk, and workplace venting.
What It Means
Estar de malas aviadas is a colorful way to say someone is finished. It implies a situation is beyond saving. You use it when a person's departure is imminent. This isn't just about travel. It's about losing a job or a relationship. It carries a sense of 'the end is near.'
How To Use It
Use the verb estar to describe the current state. You can apply it to yourself or others. It works perfectly for professional or personal disasters. If your boss is furious, you might be de malas aviadas. If a football coach loses every game, he is de malas aviadas. It sounds more descriptive than just saying 'fired.'
When To Use It
Use it when the outcome is certain. It fits perfectly in office gossip. Use it when discussing a failing project. It’s great for dramatic storytelling with friends. Use it when someone has messed up big time. It adds a bit of flair to a bad situation.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for actual happy vacations. It sounds too ominous for a holiday. Avoid it in very formal legal documents. Don't use it if there is still hope. It implies the 'bags' are already packed. Using it too early might seem pessimistic.
Cultural Background
In Portugal, aviar means to prepare or finish something. Historically, it relates to preparing goods for a journey. It reflects a culture that values metaphors of departure. It shows a blunt, yet poetic, way of facing failure. It’s a very common 'street' expression across the country.
Common Variations
You might hear ter as malas aviadas. Both estar and ter work fine here. Some people just say está aviado for 'he's done for.' In Brazil, you might hear estar de malas prontas. The meaning remains exactly the same. It’s a versatile phrase across the Lusophone world.
使用说明
The phrase is highly idiomatic and relies on the metaphorical 'suitcase.' Avoid using it in situations where literal travel is being discussed to prevent confusion.
The Brazil Variation
If you are in Brazil, swap `aviadas` for `prontas`. Brazilians will understand `aviadas`, but `malas prontas` is their daily bread.
Don't be too literal
If you tell someone at the airport they are `de malas aviadas`, they might think you mean they are getting fired, not that their flight is ready!
The 'Aviado' Secret
The word `aviado` on its own can mean 'in a rush' or 'served' (in a shop). But with `malas`, it always means 'doomed'.
例句
6O chefe descobriu o erro dele; ele está de malas aviadas.
The boss found his mistake; he's done for.
Implies the colleague will likely be fired.
Depois desta derrota, o treinador está de malas aviadas.
After this defeat, the coach is as good as gone.
Very common in Portuguese sports media.
Acho que o meu namorado está de malas aviadas.
I think my boyfriend is about to be kicked out.
A humorous way to say a breakup is coming.
Se não melhorares os teus resultados, estás de malas aviadas.
If you don't improve your results, you're finished here.
Used as a serious warning of consequences.
Aquela loja não tem clientes; estão de malas aviadas.
That shop has no customers; they are going out of business.
Refers to the business closing down permanently.
Fiz asneira no relatório, estou de malas aviadas!
I messed up the report, I'm toast!
Expressing personal worry about job security.
自我测试
Choose the correct verb to complete the idiom.
O João não trabalha nada, ele ___ de malas aviadas.
The idiom uses the verb `estar` to describe the current state of being 'done for'.
Complete the phrase with the correct noun.
Se o projeto falhar, estamos de ___ aviadas.
The word `malas` (suitcases/bags) is the fixed noun used in this idiom.
🎉 得分： /2
视觉学习工具
Formality Scale of 'Estar de malas aviadas'
Too descriptive for pure slang.
N/A
Perfect for friends and office gossip.
Ele está de malas aviadas!
Acceptable in casual business talk.
O projeto está de malas aviadas.
Too idiomatic for official letters.
N/A
When to pack the (metaphorical) bags
Workplace
After a huge mistake.
Sports
A coach losing many games.
Relationships
Before a certain breakup.
Politics
A minister about to resign.
练习题库
2 练习O João não trabalha nada, ele ___ de malas aviadas.
The idiom uses the verb `estar` to describe the current state of being 'done for'.
Se o projeto falhar, estamos de ___ aviadas.
The word `malas` (suitcases/bags) is the fixed noun used in this idiom.
🎉 得分： /2
常见问题
10 个问题No, it is almost always metaphorical. It means you are about to leave a situation because you failed or were forced out, like Ele está de malas aviadas da empresa.
It’s not a swear word, but it is blunt. It’s like saying someone is 'toast' or 'history' in English.
Yes! If you think you're going to be fired, you can say Estou de malas aviadas to express your worry.
It means to dispatch, prepare, or settle. In this context, it means the bags are fully prepared for a forced departure.
Yes, but estar de malas prontas is much more common in Brazil. Both versions are understood everywhere.
Rarely. It almost always carries a negative connotation of being 'done for' rather than 'ready for an adventure'.
It is informal to neutral. You'll hear it on the news regarding politics, but you wouldn't use it in a legal contract.
If talking about multiple people, use estão de malas aviadas. The phrase stays mostly the same.
Yes, estar por um fio (to be hanging by a thread) is similar, but malas aviadas implies the end is even closer.
Usually, it's for people or organizations. You wouldn't say your phone is de malas aviadas if the battery is dying; you'd say it's a dar as últimas.
相关表达
Estar por um fio
To be hanging by a thread
Dar o fora
To get out / To leave quickly
Ir desta para melhor
To pass away (literally: to go from this to better)
Pôr as malas à porta
To kick someone out (literally: to put the bags at the door)
