Meaning
To scold, to give someone a telling-off
Example
A mãe deu bronca no menino por ter chegado tarde.
The mother scolded the boy for arriving late.
Origin
Bronca traces back to bronco ("rough, unrefined, coarse"), and the noun kept that rough edge: a bronca is a blunt, no-nonsense telling-off, not a gentle correction.
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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