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
In old Brazilian high-society parties, ladies waiting to be invited to dance would sit on chairs at the edge of the ballroom and sip tea. 'Taking a chair's tea' became a mocking phrase for being made to wait in a humiliating way.
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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