botar o pau na mesa
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Portuguese
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Literally, “to put the stick on the table”. The idiom has its origins from historical periods when slavery was practiced.
Verb
[edit]botar o pau na mesa (first-person singular present boto o pau na mesa, first-person singular preterite botei o pau na mesa, past participle botado o pau na mesa)
- (idiomatic) to show who's boss (to assert oneself to be in charge)