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brain-teaser
[/ˈbreɪn ˌtiːzər/]
noun
pl: brain-teasers
quebra-cabeça
1.
A puzzle or problem that requires careful thinking and ingenuity to solve
That math problem is a real brain-teaser; it took me hours to figure it out.
Esse problema de matemática é um verdadeiro quebra-cabeça; levou horas para eu descobrir a solução.
2.
Something that is difficult to understand or explain; a mystery or riddle
The detective found the case to be a brain-teaser with multiple suspects.
O detetive achou o caso um quebra-cabeça com múltiplos suspeitos.
Synonyms
puzzle
riddle
conundrum
enigma
challenge
Antonyms
obvious answer
no-brainer
Regional Variations
General Brazilian
quebra-cabeça
Most common term in Brazilian Portuguese for both literal puzzles and figurative mental challenges
Rio de Janeiro
quebra-cabeça
Standard usage; may also use 'charada' for riddles specifically
São Paulo
quebra-cabeça
Standard usage in business and academic contexts
Portugal
puzzle
Often uses the English loanword 'puzzle'; 'problema difícil' for figurative use
Related Idioms & Phrases
a hard nut to crack
food for thought
rack your brains
put on your thinking cap
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