Grão a grão, enche a galinha o papo

Grain upon grain, the chicken fills her crop.

It means that to achieve something you need to be patient. Some goals take time and perseverance. “Bit by bit…”

Foi chão que já deu uvas

This ground no longer gives grapes.

It means that you will not get anything more from the subject of the comment.

(Não podes ter) sol na eira e chuva no nabal

You can’t have sunshine in the “eira” (the place where maize is dried), and – simultaneously – rain in the “nabal” (where turnips grow). Similar to the English saying “you cannot have the cake and eat it” or “you cannot have it both ways.

Tirar nabos da Púcara

Draw turnips from the mug.

It means to get information from someone. Get things clear.

Deixar em águas de Bacalhau

Leave in the salted cod-soaking water.

It means to leave things unchanged. To keep the status quo.

Juntou-se a fome com a vontade de comer

The hunger got together with appetite.

When two desperate people get together.

São favas contadas

Counted broad beans.

It means it is a sure thing. You can count on it to happen.

Está o caldo entornado

The broth has been spilled.

It means something went wrong. Something caused a problem between two people.

Dá Deus nozes a quem não tem dentes

God gives walnuts to those without teeth.

It means something good has been wasted on someone.

Quem não arrisca não petisca

If you don’t take risks, you will get no reward

It is something the Portuguese do not like to do: taking risks, making this saying even more interesting

Quem não é para comer não é para trabalhar

He/she who is not good to eat, it is not good to work.

It means that working people need to eat well.

(É como) alimentar um burro a pão de ló

(It is like) to feed a donkey with cake.

It means to give something to someone who does not deserve it or need it.

São farinha do mesmo saco

It is flour from the same bag.

It means two or more people are very much alike. Normally in a negative sense.

Meter a foice em seara alheia

Put the scythe in someone else’s wheat field.

It means someone is talking or acting about a subject that it is not their domain. Similar to “mind your own business”