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tubes

[/tjuːbz/]
nounpl: tubes
tubos
1. Hollow cylindrical objects, typically made of metal, plastic, or glass, used to convey or contain substances
The water flows through the tubes in the heating system.
A água flui através dos tubos no sistema de aquecimento.
2. Flexible containers, usually cylindrical, that hold paste, cream, or other substances
She squeezed toothpaste from a tube.
Ela espremeu pasta de dente de um tubo.
3. Electronic devices containing a vacuum or gas, used in older electronics like radios and televisions
The old television had vacuum tubes inside.
A televisão antiga tinha válvulas a vácuo no interior.
4. The London Underground railway system (colloquial)
I took the tubes to get across London.
Peguei no metrô para atravessar Londres.
NYC Slang
the subway (in reference to underground transit)
Synonyms
pipescylindersconduitsducts

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
tubos
Standard term for pipes and cylinders
Brazil
válvulas
Used when referring to vacuum tubes in electronics
Portugal
tubos
Standard term; metrô or metropolitano for underground railway
Portugal
o Comboio
Alternative for the Tube/underground system

Related Idioms & Phrases

down the tubes - ruined or failed (ir pelo cano)
tubes of steel - referring to subway/train systems
go down the tubes - to fail or be ruined (ir tudo pelo cano)
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