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nas costas

[naʃ ˈkɔʃtɐʃ]
prepositional phrase
on one's back; behind one's back
1. Physically on or upon the back of someone or something
He carried the child on his back.
Ele carregava a criança nas costas.
2. In secret; without someone's knowledge or consent; deceitfully
They talked about him behind his back.
Eles falavam dele nas costas.
3. As a burden or responsibility that someone must bear
He has many debts on his back.
Ele tem muitas dívidas nas costas.
NYC Slang
behind someone's back; on someone's back
Synonyms
por trás desecretamenteàs escondidas
Antonyms
na frenteabertamentepublicamente

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
nas costas
Standard usage in both literal and figurative senses
Portugal
nas costas
Standard usage, identical to Brazilian Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

estar nas costas de alguém
falar nas costas de alguém
carregar alguém nas costas
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