Meaning
To mess things up / To put one's foot in it
Example
Ele meteu os pés pelas mãos quando tentou consertar o computador sozinho.
He messed things up when he tried to fix the computer by himself.
Origin
The phrase paints a deliberately absurd picture: someone so flustered they put their feet where their hands should go — meter os pés pelas mãos, literally "to put the feet through the hands.
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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