Acertar em Cheio: Say You Got It Exactly Right
Acertar em cheio means to get something exactly right or hit the mark. Use it for a successful answer, choice, or description.
Real Life Portuguese · 4 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Acertar em cheio means to get something exactly right, hit the mark, or make a particularly accurate choice. It can describe guessing correctly, identifying the real issue, or selecting something that perfectly fits the situation.
Use acertar em cheio when someone hits the mark
The verb acertar changes with the subject and tense: acertei em cheio (I got it exactly right), acertou em cheio (he or she did), and acertaram em cheio (they did). The expression is conversational and often sounds enthusiastic.
Você acertou em cheio: era exatamente o que eu precisava.
You got it exactly right: it was just what I needed.
A descrição dela acertou em cheio no problema.
Her description hit the nail on the head about the problem.
A gente acertou em cheio na escolha do restaurante.
We nailed the restaurant choice.
Distinguish acertar em cheio from simply getting an answer right
Acertar can mean to get an answer right, while em cheio adds the idea that the result was especially accurate or apt. For a neutral test result, acertar uma pergunta (get a question right) is enough.
The phrase can also describe hitting a target directly, but in conversation it is frequently figurative. Listen for the object or situation to see whether the speaker means literal accuracy or a successful idea.
A resposta está certa; você acertou a pergunta.
The answer is correct; you got the question right.
O presente acertou em cheio no gosto dela.
The gift was exactly to her taste.
O arqueiro acertou o alvo em cheio.
The archer hit the target squarely.
Put it into practice
Use acertar em cheio when an answer, description, or choice is especially accurate; use acertar alone for an ordinary correct answer.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “The archer hit the target squarely”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.