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act inconsistently

[/ækt ɪnˈkɒnsɪstəntli/]
verb phrase
agir inconsistentemente
1. to behave in a way that contradicts one's previous actions, statements, or principles
He claims to care about the environment but acts inconsistently by driving a gas-guzzling car.
Ele afirma se importar com o meio ambiente, mas age inconsistentemente ao dirigir um carro que consome muito combustível.
2. to fail to follow a consistent pattern of behavior or decision-making
The manager acted inconsistently when he praised the employee one day and criticized similar work the next day.
O gerente agiu inconsistentemente quando elogiou o funcionário um dia e criticou trabalho similar no dia seguinte.
NYC Slang
flip-flop
Synonyms
contradict oneselfbe hypocriticalblow hot and coldvacillatewaveract at oddsbehave contradictorily
Antonyms
act consistentlybe consistentfollow throughremain steadfastact in accordance

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
agir inconsistentemente
most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
ser inconstante
colloquial alternative meaning to be fickle
São Paulo
agir de forma contraditória
emphasis on contradiction rather than inconsistency
Portugal
agir inconsistentemente
same as standard Portuguese; sometimes 'ser volúvel'

Related Idioms & Phrases

blow hot and cold
have your cake and eat it too
talk the talk but not walk the walk
actions speak louder than words
do as I say, not as I do
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