Meaning
Children take after their parents — the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Example
O menino já desenha tão bem quanto o pai: filho de peixe, peixinho é.
The boy already draws as well as his father: like father, like son.
Origin
A traditional Brazilian popular saying (ditado popular). The image is drawn from nature: just as a fish produces offspring that are unmistakably fish, children resemble their parents — not only physically but in behaviour and talents, partly through imitation and social learning.
Source: Ciência Hoje das Crianças.
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