stingy person, cheapskate
Ele é tão mão de vaca que nunca paga nada.
He's so cheap he never pays for anything.
The most widespread explanation links the expression to the shape of a cow’s hoof: closed and rigid, it resembles a clenched hand that will not open. Hence mão de vaca: a miser who keeps a closed fist and refuses to open it to spend money.
Source: Só Português.
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