awkward position

[/ˈɔːkwərd pəˈzɪʃən/]
noun phrasepl: awkward positions
posição incômoda
1. A physically uncomfortable or unstable body posture or stance
She was sitting in an awkward position on the floor.
Ela estava sentada em uma posição incômoda no chão.
2. A difficult or embarrassing social or professional situation
The CEO found himself in an awkward position when questioned about the scandal.
O CEO se viu em uma posição incômoda quando questionado sobre o escândalo.
3. A disadvantageous circumstance or predicament
Being late to the meeting put me in an awkward position with my boss.
Chegar atrasado à reunião me colocou em uma posição incômoda com meu chefe.
This expression is universally understood in both American English and Brazilian Portuguese business contexts. Americans often use it metaphorically for social/professional situations, while Brazilians use it for both physical and situational contexts equally. It's a neutral, widely accepted phrase in formal and informal settings.
NYC Slang
tight spot; pickle; jam
Synonyms / Sinônimos
uncomfortable positiontight spotdifficult situationpredicamentdilemma
Antonyms / Antônimos
comfortable positionadvantageous positioneasy situation

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
posição incômoda
Most common translation across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
situação chata
More colloquial alternative, emphasizing awkwardness
São Paulo
posição delicada
Often used in formal/business contexts
Portugal
posição incómoda
Portuguese spelling with circumflex; same meaning as Brazilian version

Related Words

uncomfortableembarrassedpredicamentdiscomfortinconvenience

Related Idioms & Phrases

caught between a rock and a hard place
put someone on the spot
in a bind
in a pickle
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