Meaning
For the penny to drop
Example
Demorou, mas finalmente caiu a ficha dele que ela nunca gostou dele de verdade.
It took a while, but the penny finally dropped that she never really liked him.
Origin
Same origin as cair a ficha: the Brazilian public payphone 'ficha' (token) that dropped when a call connected. This variant just adds an explicit subject — 'for the penny to drop for someone' — and is used when describing a specific person's delayed realization.
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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