This phrase literally means "to heat up the kettle". Before you can drink <em>mate</em>, you have to heat up the water. Before you "get to it" you have to warm her (or him) up.
Someone who "doesn't drink the <em>mate</em>" is referred to as a "calientapavas", which translates best a "tease".
Français
Espagnol
Italien
Allemand
Portugais