puxar a brasa para sua sardinha
To look out for number one
حرفيًا: To pull the embers toward your sardine
Use this to describe someone (including yourself) who is biased or acting out of self-interest.
في 15 ثانية
- Acting in one's own self-interest or showing personal bias.
- Manipulating a situation to favor your own goals.
- Derived from moving grill coals to cook your fish faster.
المعنى
Imagine you're at a barbecue and you move the hot coals closer to your own fish to cook it faster. This phrase describes someone who manipulates a situation to favor their own interests or benefit.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6At a business meeting
O gerente sempre puxa a brasa para a sua sardinha na hora do bônus.
The manager always looks out for number one when it's bonus time.
Talking about a sports commentator
Claro que ele disse que foi pênalti, ele está puxando a brasa para a sua sardinha!
Of course he said it was a penalty, he's biased toward his own team!
A friend recommending their own shop
Você só diz que essa loja é boa porque quer puxar a brasa para a sua sardinha.
You only say this shop is good because you're looking out for your own interests.
خلفية ثقافية
The expression originates from the Mediterranean tradition of grilling sardines over charcoal. Since sardines are small and cook quickly, controlling the 'brasa' (hot coals) is essential for a perfect meal. It highlights the competitive nature of communal resources in Iberian and Lusophone history.
Use it to soften a boast
Start a sentence with 'Não querendo puxar a brasa para a minha sardinha...' before saying something great about yourself. It makes you sound less arrogant.
Watch the tone
If you say this about someone else, it implies they are being slightly unfair or selfish. Use it carefully in professional settings.
في 15 ثانية
- Acting in one's own self-interest or showing personal bias.
- Manipulating a situation to favor your own goals.
- Derived from moving grill coals to cook your fish faster.
What It Means
Think of a group barbecue. Everyone is grilling their own sardinha. You decide to move the hot brasa (embers) away from others. You want your fish to cook first. It is about being self-serving. It means prioritizing your own interests. Sometimes it is subtle. Other times it is quite obvious. You are steering the conversation or situation to your advantage.
How To Use It
You use this when someone is biased. Use it when a friend recommends a specific brand they happen to sell. Or when a colleague praises a project they led. It works as a verb phrase. You can say someone is puxando a brasa. It fits perfectly when you spot a hidden agenda. It is a colorful way to call out a conflict of interest.
When To Use It
Use it in casual debates. It is great for office politics. Use it when a salesperson is being too pushy. It works well when discussing sports or politics. If a commentator favors their home team, they are puxando a brasa. It is perfect for lighthearted call-outs with friends. You can even use it on yourself. It shows you are aware of your own bias.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in very formal legal documents. Do not use it if someone is genuinely being altruistic. It implies a level of selfishness. If a situation is life-or-death, it might sound too flippant. Do not use it if you want to be extremely polite to a superior. It can sound a bit accusatory if the tone is wrong. Keep it for situations where a little ego is expected.
Cultural Background
Portugal and Brazil love their grilled sardines. This is a staple of summer festivals. Grilling is a social event. But space on the grill is limited. The heat isn't always even. The phrase comes from the literal act of managing the fire. It reflects a culture that values cleverness and looking out for one's own. It is a very old, traditional expression.
Common Variations
Sometimes people just say puxar a brasa. The sardinha is implied. In some regions, you might hear cada um puxa a brasa para a sua sardinha. This means 'everyone looks out for themselves'. It is a cynical but realistic view of the world. You might also see it used in newspaper headlines about budget allocations. It is a versatile classic.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The phrase is primarily informal to neutral. It is highly effective in conversational Portuguese to point out bias without being overly aggressive.
Use it to soften a boast
Start a sentence with 'Não querendo puxar a brasa para a minha sardinha...' before saying something great about yourself. It makes you sound less arrogant.
Watch the tone
If you say this about someone else, it implies they are being slightly unfair or selfish. Use it carefully in professional settings.
The Sardine Factor
In Portugal, sardines are the queen of the grill. Using any other fish in this phrase would make people look at you funny!
أمثلة
6O gerente sempre puxa a brasa para a sua sardinha na hora do bônus.
The manager always looks out for number one when it's bonus time.
Used here to describe professional selfishness.
Claro que ele disse que foi pênalti, ele está puxando a brasa para a sua sardinha!
Of course he said it was a penalty, he's biased toward his own team!
Highlights bias in sports.
Você só diz que essa loja é boa porque quer puxar a brasa para a sua sardinha.
You only say this shop is good because you're looking out for your own interests.
Calling out a friend's hidden motive.
O João quer ir naquele restaurante só pra puxar a brasa pra sardinha dele.
João only wants to go to that restaurant to serve his own interests.
Informal observation of a friend's preference.
Não quero puxar a brasa para a minha sardinha, mas o meu bolo é o melhor.
I don't want to blow my own trumpet, but my cake is the best.
A polite way to brag while acknowledging the bias.
É triste ver todos puxando a brasa para a sua sardinha agora.
It's sad to see everyone looking out for themselves now.
Used in a more serious, disappointed tone.
اختبر نفسك
Complete the sentence to describe someone being biased.
O vendedor está tentando ___ a brasa para a sua sardinha.
The verb `puxar` (to pull) is the only correct verb for this idiom.
Which object belongs at the end of this idiom?
Ele sempre puxa a brasa para a sua ___.
The idiom specifically uses `sardinha` (sardine) because of its cultural history with grilling.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality and Context
Talking to friends or family about preferences.
Puxando a brasa pro meu lado...
Discussing a colleague's behavior or a news event.
Ele puxou a brasa para a sua sardinha.
Rarely used, might be seen as too colloquial.
O deputado puxou a brasa para sua sardinha.
When to Spot the 'Sardinha'
Sales
Pitching your own product
Sports
Referees favoring a team
Family
Choosing a holiday spot
Politics
Allocating local funds
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةYes, it is widely understood and used in both countries, though it is perhaps even more iconic in Portugal due to the sardine culture.
Probably not. It's a bit too informal and implies a level of bias that might not sound professional in that setting.
The closest equivalents are 'to look out for number one' or 'to feather one's own nest'.
Not necessarily. It can be used playfully between friends to acknowledge that everyone has their own preferences.
No, the idiom is fixed with sardinha. Changing the fish or meat will make it lose its idiomatic meaning.
You conjugate the verb puxar normally. For example: eu puxo, eles puxam, nós puxamos.
It's more of an informal idiom than 'slang'. It's been around for a long time and is understood by all generations.
Yes, you can say a company or a team is puxando a brasa para a sua sardinha to mean they are acting in their collective interest.
The phrase won't work without it. Brasa (embers/coals) is essential to the imagery of the grill.
People sometimes just say puxar para o seu lado, which means 'to pull to your side', but it's less colorful.
عبارات ذات صلة
Puxar o saco (To suck up to someone)
Farinha pouca, meu pirão primeiro (When resources are low, I come first)
Ver o seu lado (To see one's own side/interest)
Advogar em causa própria (To advocate for one's own cause)
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