Meaning
A real workhorse / a hard grafter
Example
Meu avô era pé-de-boi: trabalhou na roça a vida inteira.
My grandfather was a real workhorse — he worked the fields his whole life.
Origin
Pé de boi literally means "ox's foot." The image draws on the ox as the classic draft animal — strong, plodding and tireless, pulling its load day after day without complaint. Applied to a person, it describes a hard, steady worker who keeps at the job dependably.
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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