Meaning
To be heartbroken / To be jealous
Example
Ele está com dor de cotovelo depois que foi abandonado pela mulher.
He's heartbroken after being dumped by his wife.
Origin
The image is old and folk: a broken heart supposedly radiates to the elbow when you rest your head on a table to cry. The expression is attested in Brazilian popular speech since the early 20th century and is used both for heartbreak and for envy.
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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