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ambiguous phrase

[/æmˈbɪɡjuəs freɪz/]
nounpl: ambiguous phrases
frase ambígua
1. A phrase or expression that can be interpreted in more than one way, often leading to confusion or multiple possible meanings
The ambiguous phrase 'I saw the man with the telescope' could mean either that I used a telescope to see the man, or that the man had a telescope.
A frase ambígua 'Vi o homem com o telescópio' poderia significar que usei um telescópio para ver o homem, ou que o homem tinha um telescópio.
2. A statement that lacks clarity due to unclear grammar, pronoun reference, or word choice
The ambiguous phrase 'They told him that he was wrong' leaves it unclear who actually made the mistake.
A frase ambígua 'Disseram a ele que ele estava errado' deixa pouco claro quem realmente cometeu o erro.
Synonyms
vague phraseunclear phraseequivocal expressionobscure statement
Antonyms
clear phraseunambiguous phraseexplicit statementprecise phrase

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
frase ambígua
Standard term used throughout Brazil
São Paulo
frase ambígua
Identical to general usage; no regional variation
Rio de Janeiro
frase ambígua
Identical to general usage; no regional variation
Portugal
frase ambígua
Standard usage; occasionally 'expressão equívoca' in formal contexts

Related Idioms & Phrases

lost in translation
reading between the lines
double meaning
open to interpretation
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