Meaning
To go above and beyond / To go the extra mile
Example
Ela fez das tripas coração para não deixar faltar alimento para os filhos.
She went the extra mile to make sure her children never went hungry.
Origin
The expression appears in Portuguese literature from the 16th century onward, during the age of navigation, referring to sailors enduring long, desperate voyages. Luís de Camões uses the same idea in Os Lusíadas (1572) — pushing on through hunger, fear and exhaustion.
Practice idioms with the Idiom Trainer
Falando's Idiom Trainer teaches you to recognize idiom meanings and create sentences using them, so you can speak like a Brazilian.
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