matar a cobra e mostrar o pau

Portuguese

Etymology

Literally, “to kill the snake and show the stick”.

Verb

matar a cobra e mostrar o pau (first-person singular present mato a cobra e mostro o pau, first-person singular preterite matei a cobra e mostrei o pau, past participle matado a cobra e mostrado o pau)

1. (idiomatic) to do something and provide evidence one has done it