← Back to Fala2Me

dangerous ground

[/ˈdeɪndʒərəs graʊnd/]
noun phrase
terreno perigoso / terreno delicado
1. A situation or topic that is risky, sensitive, or likely to cause problems or controversy
We're on dangerous ground if we start discussing politics at this family dinner.
Estamos em terreno perigoso se começarmos a discutir política neste jantar familiar.
2. A physically hazardous area or location
The soldiers were warned they were entering dangerous ground ahead.
Os soldados foram avisados que estavam entrando em terreno perigoso à frente.
NYC Slang
treacherous territory / sketchy situation
Synonyms
thin iceminefielddelicate mattersensitive issuerisky territory
Antonyms
safe groundsolid groundsafe territory

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
terreno perigoso / terreno delicado
Most common usage in Brazil
São Paulo
assunto delicado / área de risco
Often used in business and formal contexts
Portugal
terreno minado / zona perigosa
Slightly more literal translation used in Portugal

Related Idioms & Phrases

walk on thin ice
step into a minefield
tread carefully
play with fire
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →