English Expressions in Portuguese

One challenge of learning Portuguese, or any language, is that you can’t simply translate literally. Each language has its own conventions for how to word different concepts. This is known as idiomatic language.
In this Learning Note, we’re focusing mostly on how to translate English “phrasal verbs” into Portuguese. (If you’re looking for other types of idioms, check out Idioms 1 and Idioms 2). Phrasal verbs refer to an expression consisting of a verb plus a preposition, adverb, or both. The combination of the words creates a meaning that is different from that of the verb itself. In Portuguese, this classification doesn’t exist. We do have similar types of expressions, in which adding a preposition changes the meaning of the verb, but there’s just no name for it in Portuguese.
Below you’ll find a long alphabetical list of many common English phrasal verbs, as well as a few other common expressions, so that you can see and hear how to express the same idea in European Portuguese.

A

Ask (someone) out

She asked him out on a date.
To ask someone out is convidar alguém para sairto ask someone out from the verb convidarto invite Slow audio Play audio Verb
Ela convidou-o para sairShe asked him out on a date

B

Back down

He backed down from the argument.
To back down can be translated into a few verbs in Portuguese: desistirto give up Slow audio Play audio Verb , recuarto back up, recede, pull back , cederto give in, yield, compromise, cede
Ele desistiu da discussãoHe backed down from the argument
Não vou cederI won't back down

Boil down to

It all boils down to one thing: respect.
This phrase essentially means to simplify or summarize something, or to get to the essence of or reason for something. As such, in Portuguese we use the verb resumirto summarize plus the preposition a.
Resume-se tudo a uma coisaIt all boils down to one thing

Bring (something) up

I was afraid to bring it up in case you got mad.
If you bring something up, that means you mention it or talk about it, so we can use falarto talk Slow audio Play audio Verb in Portuguese. One of the prepositions em, sobre, or de will be attached to it, as well.
Estava com receio de falar nissoI was afraid to bring it up (talk about that)
We can also use: tocar no assuntoto touch on the subject

Break up (relationship)

The couple broke up last week.
If we’re using break up in the context of a relationship, the most precise translation is the reflexive verb [definir inline separar-se/to separate, split up]. However, you could also use terminarto finish Slow audio Play audio Verb or acabarto end Slow audio Play audio Verb , with the latter being the more informal version.
O casal separou-se na semana passadaThe couple broke up last week
Eles acabaram na semana passadaThey broke up last week

Break up (fight)

We tried to break up the fight.
Of course, we can also say to break up in the context of a fight, or when trying to separate a person from another. Here again, we can use terminarto finish Slow audio Play audio Verb   or acabarto end Slow audio Play audio Verb , which are usually coupled with the preposition com.
Tentámos acabar com a lutaWe tried to break up the fight

Bump into / Run into

I ran into Maria on the way to the bank.
Sometimes when we say we ran into or bumped into someone, we don’t mean it literally, we mean that we met by chance. These expressions translate to the Portuguese cruzar comto bump into, to cross paths with or encontrarto find, meet, come across Slow audio Play audio Verb . The former is more in line with the English meaning.
Cruzei-me com a Maria a caminho do bancoI crossed paths with Maria on the way to the bank
Encontrei a Maria a caminho do bancoI ran into (met) Maria on the way to the bank

C

Catch up to/with (distance)

I had to walk faster to catch up with my friend.
In the context of the first sentence, if we’re walking behind someone and we say we’ll catch up with them, this translates to alcançarreach Slow audio Play audio Verb or acompanharaccompany Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Tive que caminhar mais depressa para alcançar o meu amigoI had to walk faster to catch up with my friend

Catch up with (meet up with)

I’ll catch up with you later.
However, it’s possible to use the same term if we mean we’ll get together with someone later. Here, in Portuguese, we’d use ter commeet with .
Vou ter com vocês mais tardeI'll catch up with you(pl.) later

Catch up (conversation)

We need to catch up soon!
In English, we use catch up to mean getting the latest news about what’s going on in someone’s life. In Portuguese, there’s a fairly common expression that conveys that exact meaning: pôr a conversa em diato catch up, to get the conversation up to date
Temos de pôr a conversa em dia!We have to catch up!

Cheat on (someone)

His girlfriend cheated on him with another man.
This is a rather simple one. To cheat on someone is trairto cheat, betray that someone.
A namorada dele traiu-o com outro homemHis girlfriend cheated on him with another man

Cheer up (someone)

He was sad, so I cheered him up by taking him to see his favorite movie.
To cheer up someone is animarto animate, cheer up . It’s not uncommon to simply state Anima-te!Cheer up! (sing.,inf.,imp.) to someone, when we see them upset or sad.
Ele estava triste, por isso levei-o a ver o filme favorito dele para o animarHe was sad, so I took him to see his favorite movie to cheer him up
Isto vai-te animar!This will cheer you up!

Chicken out

I was going to go skydiving, but then I chickened out.
To chicken out is an informal way of saying ‘to not do something because you «got scared»’.  In Portuguese, we could use the verb acobardarto cower, shy away from, chicken out or the expression ter medoto get scared, to have fear .
Eu ia saltar de páraquedas, mas acobardei-meI was going to go skydiving, but then I chickened out
Eu ia saltar de páraquedas, mas depois tive medoI was going to go skydiving, but then I got scared

Come apart

These shoes are so old that they’re coming apart.
When we want to say something is so damaged or worn out that it is coming apart, we can use the verbs desfazerto undo, tear Slow audio Play audio Verb or desmancharto dismantle .
Este sapatos estão tão velhos que se estão a desfazerThese shoes are so old that they're coming apart

Get in / Come in

He got in the car and drove away.
Both these phrasal verbs essentially mean «to enter», so in Portuguese you can simply use entrarto enter Slow audio Play audio Verb
Ele entrou no carro e foi-se emboraHe got in the cart and left
Entra!Come in!, Get in!, Enter!
It’s also possible to use the reflexive verb meter-seto put (oneself), although this is more informal and more commonly used with getting in vehicles.
Eu meti-me no carro e fui emboraI got in the car and left

Come over

Do you want to come over later?
Whenever you want to ask someone to come over, you can use the expressions vir até cáto come here or vir aquito come here .
Queres vir até cá logo?Do you want to come over later?
The preposition até is optional and you can use either aqui or cá.
Queres vir aqui logo?Do you want to come over later?
It’s also possible to use the verb aparecerto appear, show up Slow audio Play audio Verb or irto go Slow audio Play audio Verb , if you’re not at the place you’re inviting the other person over to.
Queres aparecer lá em casa amanhã?Do you want to come over to my house tomorrow?

Come up with

He always comes up with some excuse.
«To come up with something» is to think of/about or find something, usually ideas, excuses, solutions, etc. As such, we can use the expression pensar emto think about (or of) Slow audio Play audio or the verb arranjarto arrange, get, set up, fix
Consegues pensar em algo?Can you come up with something?
Ele arranja sempre uma desculpa qualquerHe always comes up with some excuse

Cool down (temperature)

We are waiting for the soup to cool down.
Literally, «cool down» translates to arrefecerto cool down .
Estamos à espera que a sopa arrefeçaWe're waiting for the soup to cool down

Cool down (relax)

If you mean ‘cool down’ in the sense of relax or calm down, in that case, we’d go with the verb acalmar-seto calm (oneself) down
Deixa-a acalmar-seLet her cool down

Come along (progress)

The construction is coming along well.
In Portuguese, you can use one of these verbs: avançarto advance, move on, proceed Slow audio Play audio Verb or progredirto progress .
A construção está a progredir bemThe construction is progressing well
You can also use the expression correr bemgo well, turn out well Slow audio Play audio .
A construção está a correr bemThe construction is coming along nicely

Count on

I can always count on you to help me.
The expression for «count on» in Portuguese is contar comto count on, fall back on, factor in
Eu posso sempre contar contigo para me ajudaresI can always count on you(sing.,inf.) to help me

Cross off / Cross out

He crossed it off the list.
Another simple one, «cross off» translates to riscarto cross(out) , scratch .
Ele riscou-o da listaHe crossed it off the list

D

Dress up

We are getting dressed up to go to the party.
When we dress up, we’re dressing ourselves better or fancier than usual. In Portuguese, it’s common to use the verb arranjarto arrange, fix as a synonym for dressing elegantly. It’s also not rare to hear the verb aprumarto straighten up .
Estamo-nos a arranjar para ir à festaWe are getting dressed up to go to the party
Ele está-se a aprumarHe's dressing up

Drop off

I can drop you off at school on the way to work.
If you want to talk about taking something/someone with us and dropping it/them off somewhere, we use the verb deixarto leave (something) Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Eu posso deixar-te na escola a caminho do trabalhoI can drop you(sing.,inf.) off at school on the way to work
Quer que deixe as suas malas nalgum lado?Do you want me to drop off your(sing.,formal) bags somewhere?

E

End up / Turn out

I thought it would be boring, but it ended up being really fun.
With this one, the Portuguese version is pretty straightforward. We use the expression acabar porto end up.
Eu pensei que ia ser chato, mas acabou por ser bem divertidoI thought it would be boring, but it ended up being really fun
Vai acabar por correr bemIt will turn out well, It will end up going well

F

Fall behind

If you don’t study harder, you’re going to fall behind in your classes.
To «fall behind» can be taken both literally or metaphorically, but in either case, the Portuguese translation is the same: ficar para trásto fall behind .
Se não estudares mais, vais ficar para trás nas tuas aulasIf you(sing.,inf.) don't study harder, you're going to fall behind in your classes
Corre mais depressa, para não ficares para trásRun faster, so you(sing.,inf.) don't fall behind

Fall through

The deal fell through the day before we were supposed to sign the paperwork.
The best translation for «fall through» is the somewhat colloquial expression cair por terra . If you want to keep things a little more formal, you could use the verbs falharto fail, mess up, falter or fracassarto fail .
O negócio caiu por terra no dia anterior à assinatura dos papéisThe deal fell through the day before we were supposed to sign the paperwork
As negociações de paz fracassaramThe peace talks failed

Figure out

I can’t figure out how to use this keyboard.
The best translation is the verb perceberunderstand, realize, figure out Slow audio Play audio Verb , but entenderto understand Slow audio Play audio Verb can also be used.
Não consigo perceber como se usa este tecladoI can't figure out how to use this keyboard
When the meaning of «figure out» has more to do with «discovering» something, we use the verb descobrirto discover Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Estou a tentar descobrir qual é o problemaI'm trying to figure out what the problem is

Fill (someone) in

You’ll never believe what happened! I’ll fill you in on the details.
When you fill someone in, you’re telling them what happened. There are two common expressions in Portuguese that we can use to express this: pôr a parto fill in, catch up, update and pôr ao correnteto keep (someone) informed, update .
Eu vou te pôr a par dos detalhesI'll fill you(sing.,inf.) in on the details
Eu vou te pôr ao correnteI'll keep you informed (about what's going on)

Find out

We’ll find out what happened later.
The simplest way of saying «find out» in Portuguese is to use the verb descobrirto discover Slow audio Play audio Verb , but there’s also this expression: ficar a saberto learn, find out .
Vamos descobrir o que aconteceu mais tardeWe'll find out what happened later
Ficámos a saber que o Pedro teve um acidente de carroWe learned that Pedro had a car accident

Flip out / Freak out

My brother freaked out when I told him I had dented his car.
In Portuguese, when someone «freaks out», we usually go with the reflexive verb passar-seto freak out, go nuts
O meu irmão passou-se quando eu lhe disse que lhe tinha amolgado o carroMy brother freaked out when I told him I had dented his car
If we mean «freaking out» as in «panicking», then the translation should be entrar em pânicopanic, enter into a (state of) panic .
Ok, estou em entrar em pânicoOk, I'm panicking

Follow up (business)

We’re just following up on some leads.
If it’s about contacting someone again to get more information or check-in with them, you could simply use falarto talk Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Falaremos convosco na próxima segunda-feiraWe'll talk with you(pl.) next Monday
If its more about keeping track of or investigating the status of a project, for example, you could go with seguirto follow Slow audio Play audio Verb
Estamos apenas a seguir algumas pistasWe're just following up on some leads

Follow up (medical)

He’s being followed up by his doctors.
Other possible meaning is the medical one, in which case we use acompanharto accompany, join, follow, keep up with Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Ele está a ser acompanhado pelos médicos deleHe's being followed up by his doctors

G

Give up

This is too difficult. I give up!
Here’s a simple one! This translates to the verb desistirto give up Slow audio Play audio Verb
Isto é demasiado difícil. Desisto!This is too difficult. I give up!

Get along (people)

We used to be friends, but now we don’t get along.
In Portuguese, we usually go with dar-se bemto get along (well) . Similarly as in English, where you can use «get along well» or just «get along», in Portuguese, you can use «dar-se bem» or just the reflexive verb dar-segive, although that one’s bit more informal.
Nós éramos amigos, mas agora não nos damos bemWe used to be friends, but now we don't get along
Eu estou-me a dar bem com a nova equipaI'm getting along well with the new team

Get away with

I won’t let him get away with murder.
If we’re talking about escaping conviction or punishment, then an informal option issafar-seto get away with, get by, make it through , while more formal options would be sair impuneto get away with it, to leave unpunished or ficar impuneto get away with it, to remain unpunished .
Não o vou deixar safar-se com homicídioI won't let him get away with murder
Ele saiu impuneHe got away with it

Get back to

I’ll get back to you next week, when I have an answer.
There are two possible translations in Portuguese, one more formal than the other. Entrar em contactTo get in contact is the formal one, while voltar a falarto speak again, to get back to can be used in any setting.
Eu entro em contacto consigo na próxima semana, quando tiver uma respostaI'll get back to you next week, when I have an answer
Eu já volto a falar consigoI'll get back to you(sing., formal) in a moment

Get (something) over with

I want to do my presentation first because I’m nervous and I want to get it over with.
Generally, the appropriate translation here is acabar comto stop, put an end to .
Quero fazer a minha apresentação primeiro porque estou nervoso e quero acabar com istoI want to do my presentation first because I'm nervous and I want to get it over with.
It’s also possible to add adverbs such as lá or já , which emphasize the need to get it over with:
Acaba lá com isso e vem ter conoscoGet it over with and come meet us
However, if we’re in some sort of hurry or the situation is more time sensitive, we can go with the verb despacharto hurry, speed up, do quickly, dispatch
Só preciso de despachar istoI just need to get this over with

Get over (something)

You broke up 2 years ago. You need to get over it.
The most direct translation to «get over it» is the verb superarto overcome, surpass, go beyond . Or you can use the verb esquecerto forget Slow audio Play audio Verb , which is more in line with forgetting or letting something go.
Vocês terminaram há 2 anos. Tens de superar isso!You broke up 2 years ago. You have to get over it!
Vocês terminaram há 2 anos. Esquece isso!

Give in

I will not give in to your demands.
We usually give in to demands or to pressure, so the best translation here is the verb cederto give in, yield, compromise, cede
Não vou ceder às tuas exigênciasI will not give in to your demands

Give out

That store is giving out free samples.
This one is pretty much the same as «to offer», so in Portuguese we use oferecerto offer, give Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Aquela loja está a oferecer amostras grátisThat store is giving out free samples

Go along with

I’ll go along with whatever you decide.
This means to conform with or agree to. In a context like the example given, you can use alinharto align, conform Slow audio Play audio Verb , along with the preposition com or em.
Eu alinho com aquilo que decidiremI'll go along with whatever you decide
Ele alinhava sempre nessas coisas!He always went along with those things!
If you mean go along with in the literal sense, just use ir comto go with .
Eu vou contigoI'll go with you(sing.,inf.)

Go for

I’m going for a walk
If you want to talk about going for (or taking) a walk, a ride, a run, etc., you can use phrases such as:
dar uma voltato go for a walk, to take a ride
Vamos dar uma voltaLet's go for a walk
dar um passeioto go for a walk
dar uma corridato go for a run
If you want to say Go for it! there are a few possibilities. If you mean «take a chance», use the verb arriscarto risk, take a chance Slow audio Play audio Verb or just irto go Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Vai!Go (for it) ! Slow audio Play audio Exclamation
Or, if you mean Go ahead, you could say something like:
Vai em frente!Go for it!, Go ahead!

Go through with

I can’t go through with this.
Here, we can use the verb avançarto advance, move on, proceed Slow audio Play audio Verb paired with the preposition com, or this common expression: ir em frente comto move forward with . We can also use the variation «ir para a frente com».
Não posso ir em frente com istoI can't go through with this
Decidimos avançar com a construçãoWe decided to go through with the construction

Goof around

My son likes to goof around and tell jokes with his friends.
«Goof around» can be translated to a few different words or expressions, depending on the context, but the most common and straightforward is the verb brincarto play Slow audio Play audio Verb .
O meu filho gosta de brincar e contar piadas com os amigos deleMy son likes to goof around and tell jokes with his friends
Ele está apenas a brincarHe's just goofing around

H

Hang out

Do you want to hang out at the park?
«Hang out» has several different translations in Portuguese, although they all share a somewhat similar meaning, which is conviverto get together, socialize, hang out . However, the best and most commonly used terms are probably sairto go out Slow audio Play audio Verb , estarto be Slow audio Play audio Verb , and the expression dar uma volta
Queres sair mais logo?Do you want to go out later? – hang out outside of a home
Estava com os meus amigosI was (hanging out) with my friends
Vamos dar uma voltaLet's go for a walk
Queres vir até cá?Do you want to come over?

Hang up

I tried to talk to him about it on the phone, but he was so angry that he hung up on me!
When you hang up posters and signs, it’s the same as pendurarto hang up . However, in the context of a phone call, it translates to desligarto disconnect, turn off, hang up (the phone) Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Tentei falar com ele ao telefone, mas ele estava tão zangado que me desligou o telefone na cara!I tried to talk to him on the phone, but he was so angry that he hung up on me!
Na cara emphasizes that he hung up in anger / “hung up in my face“.

Hold against

You did something wrong, but it was an accident, so I won’t hold it against you.
If you want to say you don’t blame someone for something that happened, you can simply use the verb culparto blame .
Cometeste um erro, mas foi um acidente por isso não te vou culparYou did something wrong, but it was an accident, so I won't blame you
Other possible translations, which are somewhat similar with each other, are the verb oporto oppose, counter, pit (against) , use (against) Slow audio Play audio Verb and the expressions usar (algo) contrato use (something) against and ter (algo) contrato have (something) against
As pessoas estão a tentar encontrar alguma coisa para se oporem a mimPeople are trying to find something to use against me
Eles não podem usar nada contra mimThey can't use anything against me

Hold on

Hold on a second.
In Portuguese you can use the verbs esperarto wait Slow audio Play audio Verb and aguentarto hold .
Aguente um segundoHold on a second (sing., formal)
Espera aí, filhoHold on there, son

Hurry up

Hurry up, we’re waiting for you!
The verb despacharto hurry, speed up, do quickly, dispatch is the best translation and it’s often used in the imperative.
Despacha-te, estamos à tua espera!Hurry up, we're waiting for you! (sing.,inf.)

K

Keep down

The music is too loud. Can you keep it down?
When we associate this phrasal verb with volume or noise, we are more literal in Portuguese:
Podem baixar o volume?Can you(pl.) lower the volume?
Podem fazer menos barulho?Can you(pl.) make less noise?
Podem pôr mais baixo?Can you(pl.) keep it down?, Can you set it lower?
If, however, we’re talking about maintaining low prices or numbers in general, we can use the expressions manter baixoto keep down or manter em baixoto keep down .
Estamos a tentar manter os custos em baixoWe're trying to keep the costs down

Keep in mind

Thank you for the suggestion. I will keep that in mind!
Another phrasal verb with a few similar translations. The most direct are ter em menteto keep in mind, to have in mind and ter em contato keep in mind, to have in mind .
Obrigado pela sugestão. Vou ter isso em mente!Thanks for the suggestion. I will keep that in mind!
Tens de ter isto em contaYou(sing.,inf.) have to keep this in mind

Keep on

I keep on trying until I reach my goals.
This expression is the same as saying continuarto continue, keep, remain Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Eu continuo a tentar até atingir os meus objectivosI keep on trying until I reach my goals

Keep up with

I can’t keep up with this busy schedule.
In general, the translation for this phrasal verb is acompanharto accompany, join, follow, keep up with Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Não vos consigo acompanharI can't keep up with you(pl.)
If you’re talking about keeping up with something more abstract, such as a schedule or lifestyle, then the best translation is dar conta deto keep up with, handle .
Não consigo dar conta da minha agenda atarefadaI can't keep up with this busy schedule

Knock over

She accidentally knocked over the lamp.
You can use the verb derrubarto knock over, overthrow, take down .
Ela derrubou o candeeiro acidentalmenteShe accidentally knocked over the lamp

L

Let (someone) down

You can trust me. I would never let you down.
There’s two verbs we can use here, which are synonyms: desiludir and desapontar
Podes confiar em mim. Nunca te desiludiria.You(sing.,inf.) can trust me. I would never let you down.

Let (someone) know

Let me know if you have any questions.
In Portuguese you can be more literal, using the verbs avisarto notify, warn or dizerto tell Slow audio Play audio Verb
Avisem-me se tiverem alguma questãoLet me know if you(pl.) have any questions
Eu depois digo-te como correuI'll let you(sing.,inf.) know how it went

Line up

Please line up along the wall.
The appropriate translation here is fazer filato line up, make a line . It’s also common to hear fazer uma fila.
Por favor, façam uma fila ao longo da paredePlease line up along the wall (pl.,imp.)

Look around

We started looking around for a new car.
To mean searching for, go with the verb procurarto search, look for, seek Slow audio Play audio Verb
Começámos a procurar um carro novoWe started looking for a new car
Or, if you meant it more literally, you could say olhar à voltato look around or olhar em redorto look around which are essentially the same.
Olhámos à volta, mas não vimos ninguémWe looked around but we didn't see anyone

Look for

I’m looking for a book about Portuguese history.
Just like the previous phrase, «looking for» also translates to the verb procurarto search, look for, seek Slow audio Play audio Verb . However, we typically use it within the expression estar à procura deto be looking for, to be in search of , in which procura is actually a noun.
Estou à procura de um livro sobre história portuguesaI'm looking for a book about Portuguese history.

Look forward to

We’re looking forward to your visit.
This one can be translated to a few different expressions. The simplest and most common is estar ansioso porto look forward to, to be eager to .
Estamos ansiosos pela sua visitaWe're looking forward to your(sing.,formal) visit
There’s also a colloquial expression you can use: mal posso esperarI look forward to, I can hardly wait
Mal posso esperar por te voltar a verI can hardly wait to see you(sing.,inf.) again
If the meaning is more subtle or you want to be slightly more formal, go with the verbs esperarto wait, hope Slow audio Play audio Verb or aguardarto await, wait for . You can also add the adverb ansiosamenteanxiously, eagerly .
Esperamos a sua visitaWe look forward to your visit, We wait for your(sing.,formal) visit
Aguardo ansiosamente o seu telefonemaI look forward to your(sing., formal) call, I eagerly await your(sing., formal) call

Look into

I’ll look into this problem and get back to you soon with a solution.
Here, we have two options depending on the level of «looking into» that we’re going to do.
If we’re going to investigate, then the translation could be investigarto investigate and analisarto analyze Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Vou investigar este problema e voltarei a contactar-vos em breve com uma soluçãoI'll investigate this problem and get back to you soon with a solution
Ele disse que iria analisar o assuntoHe said he'd look into the matter
But if we just mean we’re going to look or check, it simply translates to verto see Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Vou ver isso, depois digo-lhe algoI'll look into that and let you(sing.,formal) know

Look out for

You’re always looking out for me (making sure I’m okay).
To «look out for» someone is to be concerned about and/or take care of that person. If the meaning is related to «making sure someone is okay», then we would use the expression olhar porto look out for .
Estás sempre a olhar por mimYou(sing.,inf.) are always looking out for me
If the meaning is more about «taking care of someone», who is sick, for example, then we can use the expression tomar conta deto take care of Slow audio Play audio or the verb cuidarto take care (of) , look after Slow audio Play audio Verb
Ele cuidou de mim enquanto eu estava doenteHe took care of me while I was sick

Look up to

She looks up to her grandmother.
Here, we can use the verb admirarto admire or the expression ter admiraçãoto admire, have admiration (for) , which is essentially the same.
Ela admira a avó delaShe admires her grandmother
Eles sabem que eu tenho admiração por tiThey know that I admire you (sing.,inf.)

M

Make up

We had a fight, but then we made up.
To «make up», in the context of a relationship, for example, is fazer as pazesto make up, make peace .
Discutimos, mas depois fizemos as pazesWe fought, but then we made peace

Mess up

You’re messing up my kitchen.
When we mean we’re making something «untidy», then the correct translation is the verb desarrumarto mess up .
Estás a desarrumar a minha cozinhaYou(sing.,inf.) are messing up my kitchen
If something is being ruined or getting dirtier, then «mess up» is the same as estragarto ruin, mess up, break in Portuguese.
If we’re talking about hair, we also have a term that is specific to hair: despentearto ruffle, mess up (hair)
O vento está a estragar o teu cabeloThe wind is messing up your(sing.,inf.) hair
O vento está a despentear o teu cabeloThe wind is messing up your(sing.,inf.) hair

Mix up

The papers got mixed up when they fell off my desk.
If something, like papers, get mixed up, you can simply use misturarto mix Slow audio Play audio Verb . In this example, it’s basically like saying the papers mixed themselves up.
Os papéis misturaram-se quando caíram da minha secretáriaThe papers got mixed up when they fell off my desk.
It’s also possible for the phrasal verb to mean the same as «getting involved» and, in this case, the translation becomes the reflexive verb envolver-seinvolved.
Ele envolveu-se num caso de homicídioHe got mixed up in a murder case

N

Narrow down

We narrowed down the list of suspects. 
Since «narrow down» is used more commonly with lists / numbers, the best translation is the verb reduzirto reduce Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Reduzimos a lista de suspeitosWe narrowed down the list of suspects
Reduzi o número total para 3I narrowed down the number to 3

P

Pass out (faint)

I got really lightheaded and then I passed out.
In Portuguese you would use the verb desmaiarto pass out, faint
Fiquei muito tonto e depois desmaieiI got really lightheaded and then I passed out

Pass out (something)

Please pass out the pamphlets to every attendee.
You can also pass out objects. Here, the translation can be distribuirto distribute or entregarto deliver, submit Slow audio Play audio Verb , with the former being the best choice.
Por favor, distribua os panfletos a todos os participantesPlease, pass out (sing., formal) the pamphlets to every attendee

Pay back

I will pay you back when I get the money.
A somewhat straightforward translation for this one: pagar de voltapay back . The de volta can be omitted when the context is clear.
Eu pago-te de volta quando receber o dinheiroI will pay you(sing.,inf.) back when I get the money
Ele vai me pagar depoisHe will pay me (back) later

Pick up

Your room is a mess! Pick up your toys!
When you mean to tidy up, you could use arrumarto arrange, set, tidy, store .
A família arruma a casaThe family tidies up the house Slow audio Play audio
Or to be more specific, to pick up something is the same as apanharto take, catch, grab, pick up Slow audio Play audio Verb something in Portuguese.
O teu quarto está uma confusão! Apanha os teus brinquedos!Your (sing.,inf.) room is a mess! Pick up your toys!
Just like English, it applies to picking up people (with a vehicle) too:
Apanhas-me em casa depois?Will you(sing.,inf.) pick me up at home later?

Plan ahead

When I go on vacation, I like to plan ahead and create an itinerary.
There are two ways of saying this in Portuguese, using the same verb, planear. You could say planear com antecedênciato plan ahead or planear antecipadamenteto plan ahead , which is exactly the same thing.
Quando vou de férias, gosto de planear com antecedência e criar um itinerárioWhen I go on vacation, I like to plan ahead and create an itinerary

Plug in

Can I plug in my phone here?
To plug in something is the same as ligarto connect, turn on, to call(on the phone) Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Posso ligar o meu telemóvel aqui?Can I plug in my phone here?

Point out

Thank you for pointing out that mistake.
There are many ways to say this in Portuguese, but we’ll stick to these three options: referirto refer (to) , mention Slow audio Play audio Verb , salientarto highlight , and apontarto point out, note, aim, jot down Slow audio Play audio Verb . As you can tell from the translations, each verb is slightly different and used in different contexts.
Obrigado por teres referido esse erroThanks for mentioning that mistake
Gostava de salientar o facto de...I'd like to highlight the fact that...
A professora apontou várias falhas no projetoThe teacher pointed out several flaws in the project

Pull (something) off

I didn’t think the project would go well, but somehow we pulled it off!
This one is more complicated, as there is no direct translation. The closest verb is conseguirto get, reach, achieve, succeed, be able to Slow audio Play audio Verb or conseguir fazerto be able to do , depending on what the subject is pulling off.
Não pensei que o projeto fosse correr bem, mas de alguma forma conseguimos fazê-lo!I didn't think the project would go well, but somehow we managed to do it!
Eles conseguiram a vitóriaThey achieved the victory, They managed to win

Put away

Put away your toys!
To «put away» something is essentially to «store» it somewhere, maybe out of reach. The best translation is guardarto put away, keep, store, save Slow audio Play audio Verb , but you may also hear largarto drop, let go of, put down in some contexts.
Guarda os teus brinquedos!Put away your toys!
Larga o telemóvel!Put away your phone!

Put off

I have so much work to do, but I keep putting it off.
You can use the verb adiarto delay, postpone, put off .
Tenho tanto trabalho para fazer, mas continuo a adiá-loI have so much work to do, but I keep putting it off.
Estava a chover, por isso a festa foi adiadaIt was raining, so the party was postponed Slow audio Play audio

Put (something) past

Do you think he was lying? Well, I wouldn’t put it past him.
There is no direct translation for this one. In Portuguese we would express this sentiment by saying something like I wouldn’t be surprised, using the verb admirar-seto be surprised (by), or I don’t doubt it, using the verb duvidarto doubt ). For example:
Não duvido que ele o tenha feitoI have no doubt that he did it
Não me admirava que o teu irmão reagisse malI wouldn't be surprised if your(sing.,inf.) brother reacted poorly

Put up with

You need to be nicer. I have been putting up with your anger for too long.
For this one, we have two options: aturarto endure, put up with , which is the most popular, or tolerarto tolerate which sounds a little more formal compared to aturar.
Precisas de ser mais simpático. Ando a aturar a tua raiva há demasiado tempoYou(sing.,inf.) need to be nicer. I have been putting up with your anger for too long
Eu não consigo tolerar a tua atitudeI can't tolerate your(sing.,inf.) attitude

R

Rip off

This TV is way more expensive than it should be. You’re trying to rip me off!
The meaning is similar to deceive, so in Portuguese we would use the verb enganarto deceive Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Ele está me a tentar enganarHe's trying to rip me off!
When rip-off is used as a noun, you could use the word roubotheft Slow audio Play audio Noun, Singular, Masculine in an expression like:
Que roubo!What a rip-off!

Rule out

We need to do some medical tests to rule out more serious diseases.
The verb descartardiscard is probably the closest translation in Portuguese. The verb excluirexclude is also a good option, but it sounds a bit more formal than descartar.
Precisamos de fazer alguns testes médicos para descartar doenças mais gravesWe need to do some medical tests to rule out more serious diseases.

Run out

We ran out of milk, so I need to stop at the store.
You could use ficar semto run out, to be without if the subject of the sentence is a person/people, or you can use acabarto end, finish Slow audio Play audio Verb or esgotarto run out, sell out, deplete if the subject is the milk itself.
Ficámos sem leite, por isso tenho de passar na lojaWe ran out of mlk, so I have to stop by the store Slow audio Play audio
O leite acabou, por isso tenho de passar na lojaThe milk ran out, so I have to stop by the store Slow audio Play audio

S

Set up

Can you help me set up the camera equipment?
If you’re talking about hardware, the appropriate translations would be montarto set up, mount, assemble Slow audio Play audio Verb or instalarto install, set up, deploy Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Pode ajudar-me a montar o equipamento da câmara?Can you(sing.,formal) help me set up the camera equipment?
If the issue at hand is more related to software, for example, use configurarto configure, set up instead.
Tenho de configurar o routerI have to set up the router
If the meaning is more abstract, like setting up a business, then you should use criarto create Slow audio Play audio Verb or estabelecerto establish, set up Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Ele estabeleceu uma agênciaHe established an agency
It’s possible to set up meetings, as well. Here, we can use marcarto schedule, arrange, mark Slow audio Play audio Verb or organizarto organize .
Ele marcou uma reunião entre os dois partidosHe arranged a meeting between the two parties

Show off

She buys expensive things just to show off how much money she has.
In general, show off is best translated to Portuguese with the verb mostrarto show Slow audio Play audio Verb .
If the meaning is showing off oneself, as opposed to showing off a thing (like a car), use the reflexive version: mostrar-se. Alternatively, you can use the verb exibirto display or the reflexive verb exibir-seto show off, flaunt.
Ela compra coisas caras só para mostrar quanto dinheiro temShe buys expensive things just to show off how much money she has
Ela compra coisas caras só para se exibirShe buys expensive things just to show off

Sort out

Don’t worry, we’ll get this problem sorted out.
This basically means the same as resolve, so an acceptable translation in Portuguese is simply resolverto resolve, sort out, settle Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Não te preocupes, vamos resolver este problemaDon't worry, we'll resolve this problem

Space out / Zone out

I tried to pay attention, but I kept zoning out.
The verb distrairto distract is a good translation. It would also sound okay to use the verb desligarto disconnect, turn off Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Tentei estar atento, mas continuei a distrair-meI tried to pay attention, but I kept getting distracted
Às vezes, tu desligas por completoSometimes, you(sing.,inf.) space out completely

Stand up for

They always stand up for what they believe in.
To stand up for can be translated to either defenderto defend Slow audio Play audio Verb or lutar porto fight for , which have somewhat similar meanings.
Eles defendem sempre aquilo em que acreditamThey always stand up for what they believe in
Lutem pelos vossos direitosFight for your(pl.) rights

Stick with / Stick to

If you stick with it, it will get easier over time.
This one has a few different meanings and translations.
If the intention is to stay close-by, then it translates to ficar comto stay with, stick with .
Posso ficar contigo?Can I stick with you? (sing.,inf.)
When you mean continue doing (something), use the verb continuarto continue, keep, remain Slow audio Play audio Verb with the preposition comwith Slow audio Play audio Preposition , which is sometimes optional.
Eles vão continuar com os mesmos jogadoresThey will stick with the same players
Finally, if we’re making some sort of choice, or standing by it, we can use manterto maintain, keep Slow audio Play audio Verb , or even manter a escolharto stick to one's choice, maintain the choice .
Eu acho que eles vão manter a escolha delesI think they will stick to their choice

Stop by

Can I stop by your house later to pick up the dish I lent to you?
We can use passar porto stop by, pass by, go through or passar emto stop by, stop at, go to
Posso passar por tua casa mais tarde para trazer o prato que te emprestei?Can I stop by your(sing.,inf.) house later to pick up the dish I lent to you

Stress out

This new job is really stressing me out.
The word stressstress Slow audio Play audio Noun, Singular, Masculine has been a part of the Portuguese language for years now. While you may hear estressar in the Brazilian dialect, in Portugal we use the verb stressarto stress .
You can use stressar, or the expression deixar stressado / deixar stressada…
Este trabalho está mesmo a stressar-meThis job is really stressing me out
Estás a deixar-me stressadaYou(sing.,inf.) are stressing me(fem.) out
…or you could use adjectives, such as tenso / tensa:
Este trabalho deixa-me mesmo tensoThis job makes me(masc.) really tense

T

Take apart

I have to take apart the watch before I can fix it.
To take apart something is desmontarto disassemble it.
Tenho de desmontar o relógio antes de o conseguir comporI have to take apart the watch before I can fix it

Take after

He takes after his father.
If you want to say that someone takes after someone else, as in, their personalities are similar, use the verb sairto leave Slow audio Play audio Verb followed by the preposition a.
Ele sai ao paiHe takes after his father
Sais mesmo à tua mãe!You(sing.,inf.) really take after your mother!

Talk (someone) into

I didn’t want to go, but you finally talked me into it.
You can use the verbs convencerto convince Slow audio Play audio Verb or persuadirto persuade .
Eu não queria ir mas tu finalmente convenceste-meI didn't want to go, but you(sing.,inf.) finally convinced me
Ela persuadiu-o a dar-lhe bilhetesShe talked him into giving her tickets

Tell apart

You and your sister look so much alike! I can hardly tell you apart!
The best possible translation is distinguirto distinguish , which you can use for both things and people. For things, you can also use the verb diferenciarto differentiate, distinguish .
Tu e a tua irmã são tão parecidas! Mal vos consigo distinguir!You(sing.,inf.) and your sister look so much alike! I can hardly tell you(pl.) apart!

Try out / Try on

Can I try out the product before I buy it?
The verb experimentarto try out, experience can be used to cover most contexts, such as trying out a product, or trying on a piece of clothing. For products, you can also use testarto test .
Posso experimentar o produto antes de o comprar?Can I try the product before I buy it?
Vamos testar isto quando chegarmos a casaWe'll test this when we get home
Posso experimentar estes sapatos para ver se eles servem?Can I try on these shoes to see if they fit?
Experimenta istoTry this on (sing.,inf.,imp.)
If we’re talking about food, we usually go with the verb provarto taste, try, sample, prove
Ela queria provar novos pratosShe wanted to try new dishes

Turn in

Please turn in your homework.
Another simple one. Here, we’d use the verb entregarto deliver, submit, give Slow audio Play audio Verb
Por favor, entreguem o trabalho de casaPlease turn in your homework (pl.,imp.)

W

Wear off

I take my medication in the morning, but the effects start to wear off by the afternoon.
When talking about effects, you have two options: passarto pass Slow audio Play audio Verb , the most common one, and desaparecerto disappear Slow audio Play audio Verb .
Eu tomo a minha medicação de manhã, mas o efeito começa a passar à tardeI take my medication in the morning, but the effect starts to wear off by the afternoon

Work out (succeed)

If it doesn’t work out, we’ll try something else.
When the meaning is to be successful, this can be translated using the verbs funcionarto function, work, run Slow audio Play audio Verb , resultarto result (in) , work out Slow audio Play audio Verb , or, in certain situations, the expression dar certoto work out .
Se não resultar, experimentamos outra coisaIf it doesn't work out, we'll try something else
Vai dar tudo certoEverything will work out fine

Work out (exercise)

I’m going to work out at the gym.
When you’re talking about exercise, you could use: fazer exercícioto work out, do exercise or treinarto train, practice
Vou treinar para o ginásioI'm going to work out at the gym
Tenho feito exercício em casaI've been exercising at home

Wrap up

The class is almost over, so try to wrap up what you’re working on.
There are various similar translations in Portuguese. The verb terminarto finish Slow audio Play audio Verb is one good choice. If you want to portray the idea of finalizing something, like a project or a study, for example, you can use the verb concluirto conclude Slow audio Play audio Verb or finalizarto finalize .
Vou só terminar isto aquiI'll just end this here
A aula está quase a acabar, por isso tenta finalizar aquilo em que estás a trabalharThe class is almost over, so try to finish what you're working on