Meaning
To drop a hint or float a leading remark to get someone to reveal information or the truth.
Example
Joguei verde dizendo que ouvi um boato, e ela acabou contando tudo.
I floated a hint by saying I'd heard a rumour, and she ended up telling me everything.
Origin
The expression is a harvest metaphor: jogar verde ("to throw something green/unripe") is to put out a tentative remark or bait, and colher maduro ("to harvest ripe") is to reap the finished result — the full, revealing information. So you sow an unripe hint in order to gather a ripe truth.
Sources: Dicionário de Expressões, Escreva.ai.
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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