estar com a pulga atrás da orelha
To be suspicious
بهطور تحتاللفظی: to be with the flea behind the ear
Use this when your intuition tells you something is hidden or untrue, but you lack proof.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Feeling suspicious or having a gut doubt.
- Used when something feels 'fishy' or 'off'.
- Common in casual conversations and storytelling.
معنی
It means you have a nagging suspicion or a gut feeling that something isn't quite right. It is that mental itch you get when you sense someone is lying or hiding something from you.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Reacting to a weird text message
Ele me mandou uma mensagem estranha e eu fiquei com a pulga atrás da orelha.
He sent me a strange message and I got suspicious.
Discussing a business deal that seems too good
Esse preço está muito baixo; estou com a pulga atrás da orelha.
This price is too low; I'm smelling a rat.
A friend acting secretive
A Maria está escondendo algo, estou com uma pulga atrás da orelha.
Maria is hiding something, I've got a nagging doubt.
زمینه فرهنگی
The phrase dates back to old European folk wisdom where physical sensations were tied to premonitions. In Brazil, it is deeply linked to the concept of 'desconfiança', a cultural tendency to be wary of things that appear too perfect or easy.
The Silent Version
In Brazil, you can just tap the back of your ear with your index finger. People will know exactly what you mean without you saying a word.
Don't pluralize it
Even if you have many doubts, it is always 'a pulga' (singular). Saying 'pulgas' makes it sound like you actually have a hygiene problem!
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Feeling suspicious or having a gut doubt.
- Used when something feels 'fishy' or 'off'.
- Common in casual conversations and storytelling.
What It Means
Imagine a tiny flea jumping around behind your ear. It is annoying, right? You cannot see it, but you definitely feel it. That is exactly what this idiom describes. It is that persistent, itchy feeling of doubt. You are not 100% sure something is wrong. However, your intuition is screaming at you to pay attention. It is the Portuguese equivalent of saying 'I smell a rat' or 'something is fishy.'
How To Use It
You use the verb estar (to be) to describe the state. You can also use ficar (to become) if something just happened to trigger your doubt. For example, if a friend cancels plans with a weak excuse, you fica with the flea behind your ear. It is very flexible. You can use it about people, deals, or strange noises in your car. Just remember to conjugate the verb to match who is feeling suspicious.
When To Use It
Use it when you feel a lack of trust. It is perfect for office gossip or when a deal seems too good to be true. Use it when texting a friend about a shady Tinder date. It works well at a restaurant if the bill seems suspiciously high. It is a great way to express skepticism without being overly aggressive. You are just admitting you have a 'feeling.'
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this in a high-level legal deposition. It is a bit too colorful for a courtroom. Avoid it if you are actually talking about hygiene or real insects. If you are 100% certain someone is guilty, this might feel too weak. This phrase is for the 'maybe' stage of suspicion. Also, do not use it to describe physical pain behind your ear.
Cultural Background
Brazilians and Portuguese people value intuition and 'malícia' (street smarts). Being 'esperto' (clever) means noticing the flea early. The phrase has been around for centuries in the Lusophone world. It likely comes from the literal discomfort of a parasite. If you couldn't see the pest, you had to trust your senses to know it was there. It reflects a culture that prizes reading between the lines.
Common Variations
You might hear deixar alguém com a pulga atrás da orelha. This means to make someone else suspicious. If you give a vague answer, you are 'leaving' them with the flea. Sometimes people just point to their ear and wink. This silent gesture carries the same weight as the full sentence. It is a classic piece of body language in Brazil.
نکات کاربردی
This is a neutral-to-informal idiom. It is perfect for conversations with friends, family, and colleagues you know well, but avoid it in strictly academic or legal writing.
The Silent Version
In Brazil, you can just tap the back of your ear with your index finger. People will know exactly what you mean without you saying a word.
Don't pluralize it
Even if you have many doubts, it is always 'a pulga' (singular). Saying 'pulgas' makes it sound like you actually have a hygiene problem!
The 'Flea' vs 'Rat'
While English speakers 'smell a rat', Portuguese speakers 'feel a flea'. The Portuguese version is more about an internal sensation than an external smell.
مثالها
6Ele me mandou uma mensagem estranha e eu fiquei com a pulga atrás da orelha.
He sent me a strange message and I got suspicious.
Using 'ficar' shows the change in state after the event.
Esse preço está muito baixo; estou com a pulga atrás da orelha.
This price is too low; I'm smelling a rat.
Expresses skepticism about a financial offer.
A Maria está escondendo algo, estou com uma pulga atrás da orelha.
Maria is hiding something, I've got a nagging doubt.
Focuses on personal intuition regarding a friend.
Almoço grátis? Ih, já estou com a pulga atrás da orelha!
Free lunch? Uh oh, I'm already suspicious!
The 'Ih' adds a humorous, skeptical tone.
Você está muito bonzinho hoje... estou com a pulga atrás da orelha.
You're being too nice today... I'm suspicious.
Used when someone's behavior changes unexpectedly.
Gente, essa história não bate. Tô com a pulga atrás da orelha.
Guys, this story doesn't add up. I'm suspicious.
'Tô' is the short, spoken form of 'estou'.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the correct verb to say you 'became' suspicious after hearing a lie.
Depois daquela mentira, eu ___ com a pulga atrás da orelha.
'Ficar' is used to indicate a change in state or becoming something.
Complete the idiom with the correct animal.
Estou com a ___ atrás da orelha.
The idiom specifically uses 'pulga' (flea).
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality Spectrum
Slangy shortcuts like 'Tô com a pulga...'
Tô com a pulga!
Standard use in daily conversation.
Estou com a pulga atrás da orelha.
Better to use 'desconfiado' or 'suspeito'.
Sinto-me desconfiado.
When to use the Flea
Shady Salesman
The car is too cheap.
Secretive Partner
Hiding the phone screen.
Office Rumors
Sudden private meetings.
Strange Noises
Hearing steps in the attic.
سوالات متداول
10 سوالYes, it is widely used in both Brazil and Portugal. The meaning and wording remain identical across the Atlantic.
It depends on your relationship. In a relaxed office, it's fine, but in a formal report, use estou desconfiado instead.
Not necessarily. It is more about doubt and intuition than fear. You are questioning the truth, not hiding from a threat.
Estou means you are currently in that state of doubt. Fiquei means something specific happened that made you start doubting.
No, the idiom is strictly singular: atrás da orelha. Using the plural sounds unnatural.
Yes, you can use the verb suspeitar or the adjective desconfiado. For example: Estou desconfiado desta situação.
Usually no. It almost always carries a negative or cautious connotation regarding a potential lie or trick.
Just say minha orelha está coçando. If you use the 'pulga' phrase, people will assume you are being metaphorical.
Absolutely! It shows you understand native imagery and makes your Portuguese sound much more natural and 'alive'.
Yes! You can say Ele está com a pulga atrás da orelha to describe your friend's suspicion.
عبارات مرتبط
Cheirar mal
To smell bad / To seem fishy
Pôr as barbas de molho
To be on one's guard / To be cautious
Nariz de cera
Something fake or a weak excuse
Gato escaldado tem medo de água fria
Once bitten, twice shy
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