• Entre a cruz e a caldeirinha – Between the devil and the deep sea. “I don’t know whether I accept the proposal to work abroad or not. I’m between the devil and the deep sea.”
• Sem sombra de dúvida –  Without a shadow of a doubt. “She’s the most competent manager we’ve had without a shadow of a doubt.            
• Nascer em berço de ouro – To be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth. “He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He belongs to the Dutch royal family.”
• É uma droga – It sucks. “I hate watching soap operas. They suck.”
• Atalho – Shortcut. “As the traffic was jammed, I tried to find a short-cut not to be late for school.”

EXPRESSIONS:

• Fora de linha – Discontinued
• Que sacanagem! / Que azar! – What a let down!
• Extra oficialmente – Off the record
• Bem feito – It serves you right
• Nada é de graça: Nothing comes for free.l
•  

Exercise  1

Mark the alternative which completes the sentences CORRECTLY:

1-What do you think about the horror movie? I hate it. It_________.

a- sucks    b- is terrific     c- is awesome

2- Is the course worth taking? Yes!______________.

a- Worth     b- Without a shadow of a doubt     c- Bet

3- I don’t know what to do. I’m between_______________.

a- the cross and the sword                     b- hell and heaven

                 c- the devil and the deep sea

4- If you take the ____________ you’ll avoid the traffic jam.

a- short-cut                b-way c- route

5- I can’t find the shampoo I’ve been using for ages. I believe  it’s_______________

a-  of order            b- discontinued   c- out of line

6- He wasn’t accepted at a top university.What__________!

a- a disappointing        b- a let down c- problem

7- He was driving so fast that the car turned over on a busy road.It serves him ______.I believe he’s learnt his lesson”.

a- right                  b- well done c- good

Exercise 2

Complete the dialogs with the expressions below:

DIALOG 1

1. Have the Police released the name of the criminal?
2. They haven’t. But we know who commited the crime________________________________.

   DIALOG 2

1. I didn’t study for the test and I flunked.
2. Really? _______________. I told you’d have to dedicate time and energy not to fail.
3. I’ve learnt my lesson.

   DIALOG 3

1. I’ve been working like a dog.
2. Have you dropped out of school?

1. No way! I’ve been working and studying hard.
2. You’re right! _________________________.

  DIALOG 4

1. What do you think about corruption in Brazil?
2. ______________.