What does it mean? Pega-ratão

Pega-ratão

A pega-ratão is a tiny little detail in a test that is designed to trick most students into writing a wrong answer or marking down the wrong alternative, such as when the correct choice looks like almost the same as the wrong one.

This word also applies to any other similar contexts. For instance, it can be applied to a detail in a label that is designed to trick consumers into buying things they would otherwise rather not buy ( such as writing important facts in very small lowercase ).

Pega-ratão literally means "a trap for big rats" but it's never used with the same meaning as ratoeira ( the Portuguese word for rat trap ).

According to context, the word pegadinha can have the same meaning and usage as pega-ratão. However, while pega-ratão is still a relatively new slang term, pegadinha is known by all native speakers and everybody will know what you mean, no matter where you are.

The plural form is pega-ratões.

Saiba os segredos para você não cair mais em pegadinhas, seja nas provas de concurso como nas provas do curso.

Know the secrets that will save you from being tricked, either by civil service exams or by ( university ) course exams.

Let's finish this post with a link to 120 pegadinhas em Língua Portuguesa ( the article was written by Law students, so the authors definitely know what they're talking about ).