be dumb

[/bi/ /dʌm/]

verb phrase

ser mudo; ser burro

1. to be unable to speak; to lack the ability to produce speech

She was born dumb and communicates through sign language.

Ela nasceu muda e se comunica através da linguagem de sinais.

2. to be stupid or lack intelligence (informal/offensive)

Don't be dumb—that's obviously a scam.

Não seja burro—isso é claramente um golpe.

3. to remain silent or not speak up (informal)

He decided to be dumb and not ask questions during the meeting.

Ele decidiu ficar calado e não fazer perguntas durante a reunião.

NYC Slang

be dumb; play dumb; act dumb

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

ser mudo; ser burro

Commonly used for both meanings in casual speech

Rio de Janeiro

ser mudo; ser tapado

Colloquial use of 'tapado' for the stupidity meaning

São Paulo

ser mudo; ser burro

Standard usage, sometimes 'ser ignorante'

Portugal

ser mudo; ser estúpido

More formal alternatives; 'ser parvo' also used colloquially for stupidity

play dumb

strike dumb

dumb as a rock

dumb luck

dumb down

shut one's mouth

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