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]
    • (Southern Brazil) IPA(key): /ˈboj de piˈɾɐ.ɲa/ [ˈboɪ̯ de piˈɾɐ.ɲa]
 
  • (Portugal) IPA(key): /ˈboj dɨ piˈɾɐ.ɲɐ/ [ˈboj ðɨ piˈɾɐ.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)