Meaning
To eat crow / to be put on the spot
Example
Tive que pagar sapo na frente de todo mundo na reunião.
I had to eat crow in front of everyone at the meeting.
Origin
The image of swallowing a toad — bitter, humiliating — is found in several Romance languages (French avaler des couleuvres, Italian inghiottire un rospo). In São Paulo Portuguese the figurative meaning overlaps with pagar mico: enduring something embarrassing in front of others.
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