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absent-minded action

[/ˈæbsənt ˈmaɪndɪd ˈækʃən/]
nounpl: absent-minded actions
ação distraída
1. An action performed automatically or mechanically without conscious attention or awareness
Turning off the alarm and going back to sleep is an absent-minded action many people do every morning.
Desligar o alarme e voltar a dormir é uma ação distraída que muitas pessoas fazem todas as manhãs.
2. A gesture or behavior done habitually or absentmindedly without deliberate thought
He tapped his pen on the desk in an absent-minded action while listening to the presentation.
Ele bateu a caneta na mesa numa ação distraída enquanto ouvia a apresentação.
NYC Slang
brain fart action
Synonyms
automatic actionhabitual actionmindless actionreflexive actionunconscious action
Antonyms
deliberate actionconscious actionintentional actionmindful action

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ação distraída
Most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese
São Paulo
ação automática
Alternative used in São Paulo region
Portugal
ação desatenta
Preferred in European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

on autopilot
without thinking
force of habit
second nature
like clockwork
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