em rio que tem piranha, jacaré nada de costas

Portuguese

Meaning

in a dangerous situation, even the strong take extra precautions

Example

Leve colete e rádio; em rio que tem piranha, jacaré nada de costas.

Take a life jacket and a radio; in dangerous waters, even the strong take precautions.

Origin

The proverb builds its warning from Brazilian animal imagery: even the powerful caiman changes how it swims in a river full of piranhas. Figuratively, dangerous surroundings make extra caution sensible even for someone strong or experienced.

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Source: Translation Journal — Brazilian animal-name idioms and proverbs.

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