Meaning
To leave quickly / run away
Example
Quando a polícia chegou, todo mundo picou a mula.
When the police arrived, everyone ran away quickly.
Origin
A imagem vem da lida no campo: picar é cravar a espora no animal para fazê-lo andar (esporear), e picar a mula era tocar a montaria para deixar o lugar.
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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