dar com a cara na porta
To find door closed
بهطور تحتاللفظی: to hit with the face on the door
Use this to humorously describe arriving somewhere only to find you can't get in.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Arriving at a place only to find it is already closed.
- Being rejected or ignored when trying to meet someone.
- A colorful way to describe a failed trip or appointment.
معنی
This phrase describes the frustrating moment when you go somewhere expecting something to be open or available, but you arrive to find it closed or someone refusing to see you. It is that 'oops' moment when your plans hit a literal or metaphorical wall.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Arriving at a closed pharmacy
Fui à farmácia comprar remédio, mas dei com a cara na porta.
I went to the pharmacy to buy medicine, but I found the door closed.
Visiting a friend unannounced
Passei na casa do João, mas dei com a cara na porta; ele viajou.
I stopped by João's house, but he wasn't there; he went on a trip.
A failed business meeting
Tentamos falar com o diretor sem agendar e demos com a cara na porta.
We tried to speak with the director without an appointment and were turned away.
زمینه فرهنگی
The expression highlights the spontaneous 'drop-in' culture common in Lusophone countries. Before smartphones, people often risked traveling across town just to see if a friend was home. It remains popular because it perfectly captures the frustration of modern bureaucracy and unpredictable business hours.
The 'Bater' Alternative
If you want to sound even more energetic, swap `dar` for `bater`. It sounds a bit more punchy and is very common in Brazil.
Don't be too literal
If you actually hit your face on a glass door because you weren't looking, just say `bati na porta`. Using the full idiom might make people think you're talking about the store being closed!
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Arriving at a place only to find it is already closed.
- Being rejected or ignored when trying to meet someone.
- A colorful way to describe a failed trip or appointment.
What It Means
Imagine walking briskly toward a shop, dreaming of a fresh pastry. You reach for the handle, but the door is locked. You almost walk straight into the glass. That is dar com a cara na porta. It describes the physical act of arriving at a closed location. It also covers the emotional sting of being rejected or ignored when you expected a warm welcome.
How To Use It
You use it just like a regular verb. The verb dar (to give/hit) changes based on who experienced the disappointment. If I arrived and it was closed, I say dei com a cara na porta. If we both did, it is demos com a cara na porta. It is very flexible. You can use it for physical places like banks or restaurants. You can also use it for social situations, like trying to visit a friend who isn't home.
When To Use It
Use this when you want to sound like a local sharing a small misfortune. It is perfect for complaining about bureaucracy. Use it when the post office closed five minutes early. Use it when you went to a party but had the wrong address. It adds a touch of drama to your storytelling. It makes your frustration feel more relatable to the listener.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in very tragic or serious situations. If someone is grieving and refuses to see you, this phrase is too lighthearted. It sounds a bit like a comedy of errors. Also, do not use it in high-level legal documents. It is a colorful idiom, not a formal report. If you are fired from a job, saying you deu com a cara na porta might sound too casual for the situation.
Cultural Background
Portuguese culture revolves around social interaction and 'going places.' Brazilians and Portuguese people often drop by without calling first. Because of this spontaneous nature, dar com a cara na porta is a common risk of daily life. It reflects a society where physical presence matters. The phrase has been around for generations. It captures that universal feeling of 'so close, yet so far.'
Common Variations
You might hear bater com a cara na porta. It means the exact same thing. Bater (to hit/knock) emphasizes the impact a bit more. Some people also say dar de cara com a porta. The meaning remains identical. Choose the one that feels most natural to your tongue. They are all equally common in Lisbon or Rio.
نکات کاربردی
The phrase is highly idiomatic and safe for all ages. It sits comfortably in the 'informal' to 'neutral' range. Just remember to conjugate the verb `dar` correctly to match the person who experienced the closure.
The 'Bater' Alternative
If you want to sound even more energetic, swap `dar` for `bater`. It sounds a bit more punchy and is very common in Brazil.
Don't be too literal
If you actually hit your face on a glass door because you weren't looking, just say `bati na porta`. Using the full idiom might make people think you're talking about the store being closed!
The 'Jeitinho' Connection
In Brazil, if you `dar com a cara na porta`, people might suggest a 'jeitinho' (a little way) to get in anyway, like calling the owner's cell phone!
مثالها
6Fui à farmácia comprar remédio, mas dei com a cara na porta.
I went to the pharmacy to buy medicine, but I found the door closed.
A classic use for a business that is shut.
Passei na casa do João, mas dei com a cara na porta; ele viajou.
I stopped by João's house, but he wasn't there; he went on a trip.
Shows the person wasn't home to receive the visitor.
Tentamos falar com o diretor sem agendar e demos com a cara na porta.
We tried to speak with the director without an appointment and were turned away.
Used here for a professional rejection or lack of access.
Não vá ao shopping! O restaurante fechou e demos com a cara na porta.
Don't go to the mall! The restaurant closed and we found the door shut.
Warning a friend about a wasted trip.
Toda vez que tento ser fitness, a academia dá com a cara na minha porta!
Every time I try to be fit, the gym closes its door on me!
A funny way to blame the gym for one's own lack of luck.
Viajei duas horas para o show, mas dei com a cara na porta porque os ingressos esgotaram.
I traveled two hours for the show, but I was turned away because tickets sold out.
Expresses frustration after significant effort.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the correct form of the verb 'dar' for the sentence.
Ontem nós fomos ao banco, mas ___ com a cara na porta.
Since the subject is 'nós' (we), the verb must be conjugated in the first-person plural past tense: 'demos'.
Complete the idiom with the missing word.
Cheguei atrasado na entrevista e dei com a cara na ___.
The full idiom is 'dar com a cara na porta', which literally means hitting your face on the door.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality of 'Dar com a cara na porta'
Too structured for pure slang, but very common.
N/A
Perfect for friends, family, and casual stories.
Dei com a cara na porta ontem.
Acceptable in most daily conversations.
O cliente deu com a cara na porta.
Better to use 'encontrar o estabelecimento fechado'.
N/A
When to use 'Dar com a cara na porta'
Closed Shop
Arriving after closing hours.
Social Rejection
A friend isn't home to open the door.
Bureaucracy
The public office is on strike.
Dating
Being stood up or ignored.
سوالات متداول
10 سوالWhile it's mostly for physical doors, you can use it metaphorically for a website if you're being funny. For example: Tentei acessar o site, mas dei com a cara na porta.
It's not rude, but it is informal. If you have a friendly relationship, it's fine. If the environment is very strict, say estava fechado instead.
There is no real difference in meaning. Bater com a cara na porta is just a slightly more forceful variation.
No, it is an idiom. It describes the situation of being blocked, not a physical injury.
Yes! If you tried to talk to someone and they ignored you or refused to meet, you can say you deu com a cara na porta.
Yes, it is widely understood and used in all Portuguese-speaking countries.
You would say Não quero dar com a cara na porta. This is common when checking opening hours before leaving.
Absolutely. If you show up to buy tickets and they are gone, you deu com a cara na porta.
A formal way to say this is encontrar as portas cerradas or simply não ser atendido.
It's the standard idiom for any situation where access is denied or a place is closed, even if there isn't a literal door involved.
عبارات مرتبط
Ficar a ver navios
To be left disappointed or empty-handed.
Bater com o nariz na porta
A variation meaning to find the door closed (literally: hit your nose).
Perder a viagem
To make a trip for nothing.
Dar com os burros n'água
To fail in an endeavor or have plans go wrong.
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