Foreign Phrases Commonly Used in English
 
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Phrase: auto da fé

Meaning: inquisition

Language of Origin: Portuguese

Additional Information: Also auto de fé in Spanish. Literally “act of faith”, it refers to the trial and torture of suspected heretics by the Spanish Inquisition.

Example: “It turned into a real auto da fé.”

Other Phrases of Portuguese Origin

Language Phrase Meaning
Portuguese auto da fé inquisition