Meaning
Tough guy / badass / real one
Example
Esse cara é cabra-da-peste, consertou tudo sozinho.
That guy is a real badass, he fixed everything by himself.
Origin
Northeastern Brazilian regional expression. Cabra ("he-goat") became Northeast slang for "guy/man"; da peste is an intensifier (lit. "of the plague") roughly equivalent to "one hell of a" in English.
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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 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