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 literally means "to paint and embroider" — two showy, elaborate crafts. Pairing them paints a picture of someone doing everything imaginable, sparing no effort or flourish, which is why the phrase is used for getting up to all sorts of things or causing every kind of mischief.
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