atolar

Senses

1. 1.

   to get stuck (in mud, sand, etc.)

   to sink into soft ground and become unable to move

2. 2.

   to bog down

   to become mired in a difficult situation or overwhelmed

3. 3.

   to flood, to overwhelm

   to inundate someone with work, problems, or tasks

Examples

• "O carro atolou na lama depois da chuva."

  The car got stuck in the mud after the rain.

• "Estou atolado de trabalho essa semana."

  I'm swamped with work this week.

• "Não quero me atolar em dívidas."

  I don't want to get buried in debt.

Usage

Common in both literal (vehicles stuck in mud/sand) and figurative contexts (overwhelmed with work, debt, problems). The reflexive form "atolar-se" is frequently used. Often appears with "em" (atolar em lama, atolar em dívidas). The participle "atolado" is commonly used as an adjective meaning "stuck" or "swamped."