Meaning
To be kept waiting / To cool one's heels
Example
O paciente tomou um chá de cadeira no consultório do médico.
The patient was kept waiting forever at the doctor's office.
Origin
Tomar chá de cadeira ("to drink chair tea") means being left waiting for a long time, seated and ignored. The popular explanation traces it to the days when nobles and officials made visitors wait hours for an audience as a show of their own importance; while they waited, the guests were served cup after cup of tea.
Source: Últimas Notícias.
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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