estar descoberto
[es-tar des-ko-ber-tu]
verb phrase
to be uncovered; to be exposed; to be discovered; to be in the open
1. to be without cover or protection; to be exposed to view or elements
The roof was damaged and the attic was left descoberto.
O telhado foi danificado e o sótão ficou descoberto.
2. to be without funds or financial backing; to lack resources
The company is descoberto in its accounts.
A empresa está descoberta em suas contas.
3. to be revealed or found out; to have one's true nature or secrets exposed
His lies were discovered and he stood descoberto before everyone.
Suas mentiras foram descobertas e ele ficou descoberto diante de todos.
4. to be undefended or vulnerable in a position or situation
The army left their flank descoberto during the battle.
O exército deixou seu flanco descoberto durante a batalha.
This phrase is commonly used in both Brazilian and European Portuguese in financial contexts (to indicate overdrafts or insufficient funds), in military or sports contexts (to describe vulnerable positions), and in social contexts (to describe someone whose secrets or true nature has been revealed). It carries implications of vulnerability, exposure, or being at a disadvantage.
NYC Slang
to be caught/exposed; to be left hanging
Related Idioms & Phrases
deixar alguém descoberto - to leave someone vulnerable or exposed
estar com o jogo descoberto - to have one's intentions revealed
descobrir o jogo de alguém - to expose someone's scheme or deception
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