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Botar as barbas de molho

Portugais

Sens

Se tenir sur ses gardes, faire attention

Exemple

Quando vi a confusão começando, botei as barbas de molho.

Quand j'ai vu les ennuis commencer, je me suis tenu sur mes gardes.

Origine

Traced to a Spanish proverb: Cuando las barbas de tu vecino veas pelar, pon las tuyas a remojar — 'when you see your neighbour's beard being shaved, put yours to soak.' In medieval and early-modern culture a man's beard symbolized honour; having it shaved was a public humiliation.