Meaning
The penny drops / It finally sinks in
Example
A ficha dele caiu depois que descobriu que nem todos são seus amigos.
The penny dropped after he discovered that not everyone is his friend.
Origin
The image comes from Brazil's old coin- and token-operated machines. In public payphones and arcade games, the user dropped a metal token (a ficha) into the slot; when it fell into the mechanism, the connection or the game was activated.
Source: Escreva.ai.
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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