boi de piranha

Portuguese

Etymology

Compound of boi +‎ de +‎ piranha. Literally, “piranha ox”.

Pronunciation

 

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /ˈboj d͡ʒi piˈɾɐ̃.ɲɐ/ [ˈboɪ̯ d͡ʒi piˈɾɐ̃.j̃ɐ]

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /ˈboj d͡ʒi piˈɾɐ̃.ɲɐ/ [ˈboɪ̯ d͡ʒi piˈɾɐ̃.j̃ɐ]
  • (Southern Brazil) IPA^(key): /ˈboj de piˈɾɐ.ɲa/ [ˈboɪ̯ de piˈɾɐ.ɲa]

 

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /ˈboj dɨ piˈɾɐ.ɲɐ/ [ˈboj ðɨ piˈɾɐ.ɲɐ]

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /ˈboj dɨ piˈɾɐ.ɲɐ/ [ˈboj ðɨ piˈɾɐ.ɲɐ]
  • (Northern Portugal) IPA^(key): /ˈboj dɨ piˈɾa.ɲɐ/ [ˈboj ðɨ piˈɾa.ɲɐ]

Noun

boi de piranha m (plural bois de piranha)

1. (figurative) sacrificial lamb (a person who is sacrificed (not literally) for the greater good of some cause)