Aí o bicho pegou
aí o bicho pegou: all hell broke loose
The expression comes from the hypothetical situation where you are being persecuted by a wild beast or animal and it catches up to you:
Lit: then the beast/animal caught up to me
MEANING:
- Problems will escalate.
- Things will get complicated
Logo que pensei que eu estava seguro, aí o bicho pegou.
Just when I thought I was safe, all hell broke loose.
Quando Sara entrou, aí o bicho pegou.
When Sara walked in, all hell broke loose.
Assim que eu abri a porta, aí o bicho pegou.
As soon as I opened the door, all hell broke loose.
Um Deus nos acuda
um Deus nos acuda: all hell broke loose
A situation only God can solve or help to solve.
Lit: a ‘God help us’
MEANING:
- Problems are beyond control
Eu escutei um barulho alto e depois foi um Deus nos acuda.
I heard a loud noise and then all hell broke loose.
Foi um Deus nos acuda quando o professor saiu da sala.
All hell broke loose when the teacher left the classroom.