Idioms of the World – Portugal

Welcome back to our “Idioms of the World” series!

And last, but not least: Portugal!

Idiom – Alimentar um burro a pão-de-ló

Meaning – To give good treatment to someone who doesn’t need it

English idiom – we don’t have an English version

Portugal’s variation on the Bible’s advice about pearls and swine, “don’t feed the donkey sponge cake”, means don’t give fine treatment to those who don’t deserve it. After all, why should we have to sit around chewing raw oats because some idiot’s given all the cake to the donkey?

Thanks Hotel Club, for sharing these images, and Marcus Oakly for creating them.

The Portuguese is Alimentar um burro a pão-de-ló, but what is it in English? Find out here!

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