Meaning
To cause a public scene
Example
Catarina armou o maior barraco na frente da casa do próprio irmão.
Catarina caused the biggest scene in front of her own brother's house.
Origin
In Brazil a barraco is a flimsy, improvised shack thrown together out of whatever is at hand. From that image grew the slang armar um barraco ("to pitch a shack"): just as a shack is hastily erected in plain view, the phrase came to mean staging a loud, makeshift scene in public — shouting, quarrelling and making a spectacle.
Source: Priberam.
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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 properlyRodar 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 opportunityBater as botasTo kick the bucket / To die