santo do pau oco

Portuguese

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

 

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /ˈsɐ̃.tu du ˈpaw ˈo.ku/ [ˈsɐ̃.tu du ˈpaʊ̯ ˈo.ku]

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /ˈsɐ̃.tu du ˈpaw ˈo.ku/ [ˈsɐ̃.tu du ˈpaʊ̯ ˈo.ku]
  • (Southern Brazil) IPA^(key): /ˈsɐ̃.to do ˈpaw ˈo.ko/ [ˈsɐ̃.to do ˈpaʊ̯ ˈo.ko]

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /ˈsɐ̃.tu du ˈpaw ˈo.ku/ [ˈsɐ̃.tu ðu ˈpaw ˈo.ku]

Noun

santo do pau oco m (plural santos do pau oco)

1. (idiomatic, derogatory) holier-than-thou (hypocritically or self-righteously pious)