Meaning
To bounce back / To overcome
Example
Minha vida sempre foi difícil, mas graças a Deus eu dei a volta por cima!
My life has always been difficult, but thank God I bounced back!
Origin
Unusually, this expression has a known author. It was coined by the scientist and composer Paulo Vanzolini in his samba Volta por Cima (around 1959, first recorded in the early 1960s), whose lyric vows to rise again after a fall.
Source: Sesc São Paulo.
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More idioms
Acertar na moscaTo guess correctly / To hit the nail on the headAmigo da onçaA fake/false friendAndar na linhaTo toe the line / To behave properlyArmar um barracoTo cause a public sceneRodar a baianaTo cause a public scene / To go ballisticArrumar sarna pra se coçarTo ask for troubleArrastar as asasTo hit on someone / To flirtAbrir o jogoTo come clean / To open upArregaçar as mangasTo roll up one's sleeves / To get to workAgarrar com unhas e dentesTo hold on for dear life / To seize an opportunity