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
The image is the ox's foot — slow, heavy, unwavering. The figurative use for a tireless worker is longstanding rural Brazilian Portuguese, and the phrase is also applied to a stubbornly conservative person, a journeyman footballer, or a no-frills, robust car.
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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