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atalhar

[ah-tah-LYAHR]
verb
to cut short, to take a shortcut, to intercept
1. to take a shortcut or more direct route
We decided to cut across the field to save time.
Decidimos atalhar pelo campo para economizar tempo.
2. to intercept or block someone's path
The police intercepted the suspect before he could escape.
A polícia atalhrou o suspeito antes que pudesse escapar.
3. to interrupt or cut short a conversation or action
I had to cut him short because he was talking too much.
Tive que o atalhar porque ele estava falando muito.
4. to prevent or hinder something from happening
We need to prevent this problem before it gets worse.
Precisamos atalhar este problema antes que piore.
NYC Slang
cut through, take a shortcut, cut someone off
Synonyms
encurtarabreviarinterromperimpedirbloquear
Antonyms
alongarestenderpermitirdeixar passar

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
atalhar
standard usage across Brazil
São Paulo
atalhar
common in urban contexts
Portugal
atalhar
standard usage, less common in contemporary speech

Related Idioms & Phrases

atalhar caminho - to take a shortcut
atalhar um mal - to prevent/avert an evil or problem
atalhar a língua - to cut someone short in conversation
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