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be smart

[/biː smɑːrt/]
verb phrase
ser inteligente; ser esperto
1. To possess or demonstrate intelligence, quick thinking, or cleverness
You need to be smart about your financial decisions.
Você precisa ser inteligente sobre suas decisões financeiras.
2. To act wisely or prudently; to make sensible choices
If you want to succeed, be smart and study hard.
Se você quer ter sucesso, seja inteligente e estude bastante.
3. To be clever or cunning in dealing with situations
Be smart and don't fall for that scam.
Seja esperto e não caia nesse golpe.
NYC Slang
keep it 100; stay sharp
Synonyms
be intelligentbe cleverbe wisebe strategicuse your head
Antonyms
be foolishbe stupidbe carelessbe naive

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ser inteligente; ser esperto
Most common usage
Rio de Janeiro
ser esperto; ser sagaz
Emphasis on shrewdness
São Paulo
ser inteligente; ser sábio
Standard usage
Portugal
ser inteligente; ser astuto
Formal and colloquial usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

have smarts
use your noggin
play it smart
don't be a fool
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