This is the 5580th most frequent Portuguese word.
xeque
"Xeque" means "check" in chess or a critical, risky situation.
This usage is related to chess, indicating that the king is under threat.
O rei está em xeque.
The king is in check.
This figurative usage refers to a situation where a company faces challenges or critical risks.
Podemos dizer que a empresa está em xeque devido às novas regulamentações.
We can say that the company is in check due to new regulations.
Here, the word conveys the scrutiny or questioning of the validity of a proposal.