sanguessuga
1. A small worm-like aquatic or terrestrial animal that feeds on the blood of other animals
The leech attached itself to the swimmer's leg.
A sanguessuga se fixou na perna do nadador.
2. A person who exploits or takes advantage of others for personal gain; a parasite
He was a leech who constantly borrowed money without repaying it.
Ele era uma sanguessuga que constantemente pedia dinheiro emprestado sem devolver.
3. (verb) To cling to someone parasitically; to feed on someone else's resources
She leeches off her parents' income.
Ela vive à custa dos rendimentos dos pais.
In both Brazilian and American English, 'leech' is commonly used as a derogatory term for someone who takes advantage of others' generosity without reciprocation. Historically, leeches were used in medical practices for bloodletting, which contributed to the negative connotations. In modern usage, the term is predominantly figurative when referring to people, particularly in urban contexts like NYC where social parasitism is a recognized social problem.
NYC Slang
bloodsucker, moocher, freeloader
Related Idioms & Phrases
to leech onto someone - to attach oneself parasitically to someone
stick like a leech - to persistently attach oneself to someone
blood is thicker than water (contrasted with leech behavior)
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