← Back to Fala2Me

approach gradually

[əˈproʊtʃ ˈɡrædʒuəli]
verb phrase
aproximar-se gradualmente
1. to move closer to something or someone in a slow, step-by-step manner
The cat approached gradually toward the bird on the branch.
O gato aproximou-se gradualmente do pássaro no galho.
2. to deal with something by taking incremental steps rather than all at once
We decided to approach the problem gradually rather than making drastic changes.
Decidimos abordar o problema gradualmente em vez de fazer mudanças drásticas.
3. to get progressively closer to a goal or target
As we approached gradually toward our destination, the landscape changed.
Conforme nos aproximávamos gradualmente do nosso destino, a paisagem mudava.
Synonyms
draw near slowlymove closer incrementallyadvance step by stepapproach methodicallycreep toward
Antonyms
approach abruptlyrush towardretreatwithdrawmove away

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
aproximar-se gradualmente
most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
chegar perto aos poucos
colloquial alternative in Rio dialect
São Paulo
aproximar-se devagar
informal variation common in São Paulo
Portugal
aproximar-se lentamente
standard European Portuguese usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

take it slow
step by step
one foot in front of the other
little by little
inch closer
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →