Meaning
To have the upper hand / To hold all the aces
Example
Agora sou rico, poderoso e influente, tenho a faca e o queijo na mão!
Now I'm rich, powerful and influential, I hold all the aces!
Origin
The image is concrete: someone holding both the knife and the cheese has everything needed to cut a slice right away — only the act itself remains. To estar com a faca e o queijo na mão ("to be with the knife and the cheese in hand") is therefore to hold every advantage and full control over a situation.
Source: escreva.ai.
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