clattering footsteps

[/ˈklætərɪŋ ˈfʊtstɛps/]
noun phrase
passos barulhentos
1. loud, sharp, rapid sounds made by feet striking a hard surface while walking or running
The clattering footsteps echoed through the empty hallway as she ran down the stairs.
Os passos barulhentos ecoavam pelo corredor vazio enquanto ela corria escada abaixo.
2. a distinctive noise produced by heels or hard-soled shoes striking the ground repeatedly
We could hear the clattering footsteps of the soldiers marching in formation.
Podíamos ouvir os passos barulhentos dos soldados marchando em formação.
This phrase is commonly used in both American and Brazilian literature, film, and everyday speech to create atmosphere and tension. In Brazilian Portuguese, it's often used in detective stories and thrillers. The onomatopoeia 'clatter' resonates similarly in both cultures when describing urgency or danger in narratives.
NYC Slang
heavy footsteps, or 'clompers' in NYC dialect
Synonyms / Sinônimos
loud footstepsthundering footstepsheavy footstepsclomping footstepsstomping footsteps
Antonyms / Antônimos
silent footstepsquiet stepsmuffled footstepssoft footstepspadding footsteps

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
passos barulhentos
Most common and standard translation used across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
passos que fazem barulho
More colloquial variant in Rio slang
São Paulo
passos ruidosos
Commonly used alternative in São Paulo
Portugal
passos estrondosos
Portuguese variant; slightly more literary usage

Related Words

clatterfootstepnoiseracketpattertreadstompreverberate

Related Idioms & Phrases

the sound of footsteps fading away
light on one's feet (opposite)
make a racket
break the silence
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