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Pintar e bordar

Portuguese

Meaning

To raise hell / To be up to all sorts of mischief

Example

Quando era criança, eu pintava e bordava, minha mãe não tinha sossego!

When I was a kid, I was up to all sorts of mischief, my mom had no peace!

Origin

'Pintar e bordar' — to paint and embroider, i.e., to do everything, usually mischievous.