What Does Passar a Perna Mean in Brazilian Portuguese?
Passar a perna means to cheat, deceive, or take advantage of someone in a dishonest way.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Passar a perna em alguém means to cheat, deceive, or take advantage of a person. It is a negative expression and can describe dishonest business, betrayal, or someone breaking an agreement for personal gain.
Recognize the expression for dishonest treatment
It does not refer to a literal leg in its idiomatic use. The person introduced with em is the one who was treated unfairly.
O vendedor passou a perna em vários clientes.
The seller cheated several customers.
Achei que o acordo era justo, mas ele passou a perna em mim.
I thought the deal was fair, but he took advantage of me.
Não quero que ninguém passe a perna na minha família.
I don’t want anyone to cheat my family.
Describe the conduct precisely
Because the phrase accuses someone of dishonesty, use it only when the facts support that judgment. If you mean a mistake or misunderstanding, say houve um engano (there was a mistake) or não cumpriu o combinado (did not keep the agreement).
In formal communication, describe the specific action, date, or amount rather than relying on an idiom. Clear details make it easier to resolve a dispute.
O valor cobrado foi diferente do que combinamos.
The amount charged was different from what we agreed.
Acho que houve um mal-entendido sobre o pagamento.
I think there was a misunderstanding about the payment.
Ele passou a perna no sócio e escondeu as despesas.
He cheated his business partner and hid the expenses.
Put it into practice
Passar a perna em alguém is a strong informal accusation of cheating or taking advantage. Use precise facts and neutral language when you are still clarifying what happened.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “The seller cheated several customers”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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