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Situações e Estados - Possibilidade e Impossibilidade

Descubra como os provérbios ingleses como "um potro maltrapilho pode se tornar um bom cavalo" e "você não pode agradar a todos" retratam a possibilidade e a impossibilidade em inglês.

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Situations & States
you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make (him|it|her) drink

used to suggest that while one can provide someone with an opportunity, one cannot force them to take advantage of it, as ultimately people must make their own choices and decisions

Pode-se oferecer uma oportunidade,  mas não obrigar alguém a aproveitá-la

Pode-se oferecer uma oportunidade, mas não obrigar alguém a aproveitá-la

Ex: The parent can offer guidance and support, but if the child doesn't want to change, he won't improve.  As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink. 
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above black there is no color (, and above salt there is no savor|)

used to imply that when a situation has reached a certain extreme or chaotic state, it cannot become any worse or more aggravated

A situação não pode ficar pior

A situação não pode ficar pior

Ex: The political situation had become so unstable that people felt that above black there is no color, and that the country was on the brink of collapse. 
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every man (has|hath) a fool in his sleeve

used to imply that regardless of how intelligent or wise a person may appear, everyone is capable of making mistakes or acting in a foolish manner at times

Todos podem agir de forma tola às vezes

Todos podem agir de forma tola às vezes

Ex: Even the most successful businessmen have made foolish decisions at some point in their careers, proving that every man has a fool in his sleeve. 
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fools (may|might) sometimes speak to the (purpose|point)

used to suggest that even those considered foolish may occasionally have valuable insights or solutions to offer

Até um tolo pode dizer algo certo às vezes

Até um tolo pode dizer algo certo às vezes

Ex: The supervisor had always dismissed the suggestions of the new employee, but when she offered a unique perspective that solved a long-standing issue, he realized that even fools may sometimes speak to the purpose. 
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if things were to be done twice, all would be wise

used to suggest that if people were given a second chance to do something, they would likely make better decisions, emphasizing the importance of learning from one's mistakes

Uma segunda chance ajuda a tomar decisões melhores

Uma segunda chance ajuda a tomar decisões melhores

Ex: After the project failed, the team leader realized that if things were to be done twice, all would be wise, and vowed to learn from their mistakes. 
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(whatever|what) man has done, man may do

used to imply that if someone has accomplished something in the past, then it is possible for others to achieve the same thing, encouraging people to pursue their goals with determination

O que uma pessoa conseguiu,  outra também pode conseguir

O que uma pessoa conseguiu, outra também pode conseguir

Ex: Don't be discouraged by the challenges ahead, remember that whatever man has done, man may do. 
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lightning never strikes the same place twice

used to express the idea that a highly unlikely event or occurrence is not likely to happen again in the same place or to the same person

É improvável que um evento muito raro ocorra novamente no mesmo lugar

É improvável que um evento muito raro ocorra novamente no mesmo lugar

Ex: When their house was burglarized, Tom and his family were devastated, but their neighbors tried to console them by saying that lightning never strikes the same place twice. 
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a ragged colt may make a good horse

used to suggest that something or someone that appears unpromising or unremarkable at first may have the potential to become successful or valuable in the future

Um começo pouco promissor não impede o sucesso futuro

Um começo pouco promissor não impede o sucesso futuro

Ex: Although the new employee lacked experience, the hiring manager believed that a ragged colt may make a good horse and decided to give them a chance. 
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a stream cannot rise above its source

used to imply that someone or something cannot surpass their own limitations, such as their own abilities, resources, or environment

As possibilidades de alguém são limitadas pelos próprios recursos

As possibilidades de alguém são limitadas pelos próprios recursos

Ex: Despite their ambition and hard work, the small business owners realized that a stream cannot rise above its source, and decided to seek outside help to expand their business. 
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hares (may|might|can) pull dead lions by the beard

used to imply that power and influence can be fleeting, as even the weak or small can have power over the strong or mighty when they are in a vulnerable state

Quando o poderoso enfraquece,  até o fraco pode vencê-lo

Quando o poderoso enfraquece, até o fraco pode vencê-lo

Ex: In the world of politics, it's important to remember that hares may pull dead lions by the beard, as even the most influential leaders can fall from grace if they become too complacent or lose the support of the people. 
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the age of miracles is (long|) past

used to emphasize the idea that people should not rely on miraculous or supernatural intervention to solve their problems but should instead work toward practical solutions

Não dependa de milagres,  procure uma solução prática

Não dependa de milagres, procure uma solução prática

Ex: I know you're struggling with your finances, but don't count on winning the lottery to solve your problems.  The age of miracles is past, and you need to start budgeting and saving your money. 
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if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is

used to suggest that if something appears too beneficial or advantageous, it is likely false or deceptive, urging people to be cautious and use critical thinking skills to evaluate such claims

Se algo parece bom demais para ser verdade,  provavelmente não é

Se algo parece bom demais para ser verdade, provavelmente não é

Ex: When my friend got excited about an investment opportunity that promised astronomical returns with minimal risk, I cautioned her that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is and urged her to do more research before investing any money. 
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men may meet but mountains never

used to suggest that there are inherent boundaries or limitations that prevent certain things from happening

Algumas barreiras e diferenças não podem ser superadas

Algumas barreiras e diferenças não podem ser superadas

Ex: Trying to explain why the two companies could not merge, the CEO told the board that men may meet but mountains never, referring to the significant cultural and organizational differences that would make integration extremely challenging. 
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you cannot lose what you never had

used to imply that it is not worth being upset or anxious about losing something that never existed, emphasizing the importance of focusing on reality

Você não pode perder o que nunca teve

Você não pode perder o que nunca teve

Ex: He was heartbroken when the guy he liked started dating someone else, but I reminded him that you can't lose what you never had.  He realized that he'd been building a fantasy in his head and decided to focus on finding someone who was actually available. 
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(you|one) cannot serve two masters

used to imply that dividing attention, loyalty, or effort between conflicting interests or allegiances will lead to a lack of commitment and failure or poor performance in all of them

Não se pode servir a dois interesses opostos ao mesmo tempo

Não se pode servir a dois interesses opostos ao mesmo tempo

Ex: When my friend was trying to please both her parents and her partner, I reminded her that you cannot serve two masters.  She needed to prioritize her own needs and values. 
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you cannot get a quart into a pint pot

used to imply that it is impossible to fit too much into a small space, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and respecting the limitations of a situation

Não se pode colocar mais do que a capacidade permite

Não se pode colocar mais do que a capacidade permite

Ex: As a project manager, I try to be realistic about timelines and resources.  You cannot get a quart into a pint pot, so it's important to set achievable goals. 
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you cannot please (everyone|everybody)

used to imply that trying to make everyone happy is impossible, emphasizing that it is important to be true to oneself rather than constantly seeking others' approval

É impossível agradar a todos

É impossível agradar a todos

Ex: When I became a manager, I learned that you cannot please everyone.  It's better to focus on doing what's best for the team as a whole. 
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if wishes were horses (, the beggars would ride|)

used to emphasize that simply wishing for something is not enough to attain it, and that people must work hard and take action to achieve their goals

Desejar sem agir não traz resultados

Desejar sem agir não traz resultados

Ex: The athlete wished to win the championship, but her coach reminded her that if wishes were horses, the beggars would ride and that she needed to train hard and stay focused to succeed. 
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an empty (sack|bag) (cannot|will not) stand upright

used to suggest that in order to function well or be successful, one needs to have the necessary resources, such as knowledge, experience, skills, or material possessions

O sucesso exige os recursos e as capacidades necessários

O sucesso exige os recursos e as capacidades necessários

Ex: Many businesses fail within the first few years because an empty sack cannot stand upright.  New entrepreneurs often lack the resources, experience, and industry knowledge required to keep a business running smoothly in the beginning. 
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