Meaning
Brown-noser / suck-up
Example
Aquele estagiário é o maior paga pau do chefe.
That intern is the biggest brown-noser to the boss.
Origin
Paga pau labels a fawning suck-up, someone who flatters to win favour. It comes from the verb phrase pagar pau, "to pay homage to" or gush over someone; pau is a catch-all, slightly vulgar Brazilian word (literally "stick," also slang for money and for the male member), which gives the term its crude edge.
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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