wild card

[/waɪld kɑrd/]
nounpl: wild cards
carta coringa / coinga / elemento imprevisível
1. A playing card that can be used as any other card in card games
In poker, the joker is often used as a wild card.
No pôquer, o curinga é frequentemente usado como carta coringa.
2. An unpredictable person or element that could change the outcome of a situation
He's the wild card in the team - nobody knows what he'll do next.
Ele é o elemento imprevisível do time - ninguém sabe o que ele fará a seguir.
3. A contestant or team given a chance to compete despite not meeting normal qualifications
The tournament organizers gave a wild card entry to the young tennis player.
Os organizadores do torneio deram um convite especial para o jovem tenista competir.
4. An unexpected factor or decision that could influence results
The weather could be a wild card in tomorrow's outdoor event.
O tempo pode ser um fator imprevisível no evento ao ar livre de amanhã.
The term 'wild card' is extensively used in American sports culture, particularly in basketball, tennis, and baseball tournaments. In Brazil, it's commonly adopted in sports broadcasting and business contexts when discussing unpredictable factors. The term has become increasingly internationalized and is often used in Portuguese media without translation, especially in sports coverage.
NYC Slang
a joker, a wildcard type, an unpredictable character
Synonyms / Sinônimos
unknown quantityunpredictable factorjokertrump cardvariableX-factor
Antonyms / Antônimos
certaintypredictabilityknown factor

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
carta coringa / coinga
Most common translation for card game context; 'elemento imprevisível' for unpredictable person/situation
Rio de Janeiro
coringa / coinga
Often used informally to describe unpredictable people in conversations
São Paulo
carta coringa / elemento surpresa
Business and sports contexts often use 'elemento surpresa' for unpredictable factors
Portugal
carta de trunfo / elemento inesperado
Portuguese usage varies; 'trunfo' (trump) sometimes preferred in card games

Related Words

jokertrumpunpredictablevariableentrycontestant

Related Idioms & Phrases

play one's wild card
throw a wild card into the mix
the wild card is out
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