Meaning
All hell is going to break loose
Example
Agora que a justiça o obrigou a assumir o filho, a cobra vai fumar!
Now that justice forced him to take responsibility, all hell is going to break loose!
Origin
Brazilian slang from the 20th century: a snake ('cobra') smoking was a visual image of unprecedented violence or upheaval. The phrase was famously applied to WWII — Brazil's participation was doubted by the public until it happened ('quando a cobra fumar'), and the Brazilian Expeditionary Force adopted a smoking snake as its insignia in 1944.
Practice idioms with the Idiom Trainer
Falando's Idiom Trainer teaches you to recognize idiom meanings and create sentences using them, so you can speak like a Brazilian.
More idioms
Acertar na moscaTo guess correctly / To hit the nail on the headAmigo da onçaA fake/false friendAndar na linhaTo toe the line / To behave properlyArmar um barracoTo cause a public sceneRodar a baianaTo cause a public scene / To go ballisticArrumar sarna pra se coçarTo ask for troubleArrastar as asasTo hit on someone / To flirtAbrir o jogoTo come clean / To open upArregaçar as mangasTo roll up one's sleeves / To get to workAgarrar com unhas e dentesTo hold on for dear life / To seize an opportunity