de calças na mão

English translation: at the end of his rope

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Portuguese term or phrase:de calças na mão
English translation:at the end of his rope
Entered by: Tania Pires

17:38 Feb 4, 2016
Portuguese to English translations [PRO]
Cinema, Film, TV, Drama / Subtitles
Portuguese term or phrase: de calças na mão
I need an American expression for someone who is about to lose it all.

'Ele, neste momento, já está de calças na mão'

Thanks in advance for your help!
Tania Pires
Portugal
Local time: 14:37
at the end of his rope
Explanation:
Perhaps this could work ?

http://pt.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=at the end of ...

To be out of options or alternative courses of action; to be stuck in a bad situation.

A 'rope' is thrown to someone who is in a difficult place, such as deep water or the edge of a cliff. If there is not enough rope, the person might be in trouble. So to be 'at the end of your rope' means that there is no more help available, and the situation is not good.

I'm at the end of my rope -- I lost my job, my car died, and I don't have any money in the bank.
Selected response from:

Gilmar Fernandes
United States
Local time: 10:37
Grading comment
This was my favourite one considering the context.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +7at the end of his rope
Gilmar Fernandes
3 +1busted, caught by surprise
Salvador Scofano and Gry Midttun
4blindsided
Douglas Bissell
3really in the sh*t
Nick Taylor
2is really up against it / has his back against the wall
Robert Forstag


Discussion entries: 10





  

Answers


11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
já está de calças na mão'
is really up against it / has his back against the wall


Explanation:
Two possibilities.

Robert Forstag
United States
Local time: 10:37
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 9
Notes to answerer
Asker: I like 'has his back against the wall'. Thanks Robert!

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29 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +7
at the end of his rope


Explanation:
Perhaps this could work ?

http://pt.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=at the end of ...

To be out of options or alternative courses of action; to be stuck in a bad situation.

A 'rope' is thrown to someone who is in a difficult place, such as deep water or the edge of a cliff. If there is not enough rope, the person might be in trouble. So to be 'at the end of your rope' means that there is no more help available, and the situation is not good.

I'm at the end of my rope -- I lost my job, my car died, and I don't have any money in the bank.

Gilmar Fernandes
United States
Local time: 10:37
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 40
Grading comment
This was my favourite one considering the context.
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks, Gilmar! I like this one.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Mario Freitas:
14 mins
  -> Thanks Mario :)

agree  Andrew Bramhall
20 mins
  -> Thanks Oliver :)

agree  Matheus Chaud
51 mins
  -> Thanks Matheus :)

agree  Robson Richers
1 hr
  -> Thanks Richers :)

agree  Ana Vozone
1 hr
  -> Thanks Ana :)

agree  Muriel Vasconcellos
3 hrs
  -> Thanks Muriel :)

agree  António Ribeiro
16 hrs
  -> Thanks ajarbr :)
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29 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
busted, caught by surprise


Explanation:
HIH.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 34 mins (2016-02-04 18:13:26 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

3

Urban dictionary:

busted

Getting caught doing something "you shouldn't have been doing", either by the cops, parents, a significant other, etc.

I got busted by my boyfriend last night.. he rolled up to his best friend's house and found me in there



Salvador Scofano and Gry Midttun
Norway
Local time: 15:37
Native speaker of: Native in NorwegianNorwegian, Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in category: 12
Notes to answerer
Asker: Salvador, I know what 'busted' means, but that's not the idea.

Asker: Please read the discussion board.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Mario Freitas:
14 mins
  -> Obrigado!
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
blindsided


Explanation:
caught unawares so to speak

Douglas Bissell
Portugal
Local time: 14:37
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 24
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
really in the sh*t


Explanation:
really in the sh*t

Nick Taylor
Local time: 14:37
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 40
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