Meaning
To be furious / To be fuming
Example
Nunca vi o Demétrio assim, soltando fogo pelas ventas!
I've never seen Demetrius like this, he's absolutely furious!
Origin
In the expression soltar fogo pelas ventas, the old word ventas means the nostrils. The image is that of an enraged animal — a bull snorting, or a fire-breathing dragon — whose fury seems to pour out through its nose as smoke and flame.
Source: Priberam.
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