formiga
1. A small insect with six legs that lives in organized colonies and is known for working hard and cooperating with others
The ant carried a piece of food back to its nest.
A formiga carregava um pedaço de comida de volta para seu ninho.
2. A hardworking, industrious person (metaphorical use)
He's an ant when it comes to saving money.
Ele é uma formiga quando se trata de economizar dinheiro.
The ant is a common symbol of industriousness and cooperation in both English and Portuguese-speaking cultures. In Brazilian folklore, ants (especially saúva ants) are significant agricultural pests. The expression 'trabalhar como uma formiga' (work like an ant) is used in Portuguese to describe someone who works diligently and without complaint.
Related Idioms & Phrases
busy as an ant
work like an ant
have ants in one's pants (nervous or restless)
formiga operária (worker ant - idiom for hardworking person)
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