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desenrascar-se

[de-zen-ras-KAR-se]
verb
to get out of a jam; to extricate oneself; to manage
1. to free oneself from a difficult or awkward situation
He managed to get out of the jam by making a quick excuse.
Ele conseguiu se desenrascar fazendo uma desculpa rápida.
2. to manage or cope, often with improvisation or resourcefulness
She always finds a way to manage despite the challenges.
Ela sempre consegue se desenrascar apesar dos desafios.
3. to untangle oneself from something that has wrapped around or caught one
The cat drew its claws to draw itself free from the net.
O gato sacou as garras para se desenrascar da rede.
NYC Slang
wiggle out of; talk one's way out of
Synonyms
escaparlivrar-sesair-searranjar-sevirar-se
Antonyms
enrascar-secomplicar-seembaraçar-se

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
desenrascar-se
Most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
desenrascar-se
Frequently used in informal speech
São Paulo
desenrascar-se
Common in both formal and informal contexts
Portugal
desenrascar-se
Less frequently used; alternatives like 'safar-se' preferred

Related Idioms & Phrases

desenrascar-se na última hora (to manage at the last minute)
desenrascar-se de um aperto (to get out of a tight spot)
conseguir se desenrascar (to manage to pull through)
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