Meaning
To chat / To shoot the breeze
Example
Não tinha nada para fazer, fiquei batendo papo com a Rita.
I had nothing to do, I was chatting with Rita.
Origin
In bater papo the word papo comes from the Latin papare, "to eat" — the same root that gave papar. It first named the pouch at the base of a bird's throat, then the throat itself, and from there drifted to mean "talk."
Source: Origem da Palavra.
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