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be corrupt

[/bi kəˈrʌpt/]
verb phrase
ser corrupto; estar corrompido
1. to be dishonest or fraudulent, especially in the exercise of official power
The official was found to be corrupt after the investigation.
O funcionário foi descoberto ser corrupto após a investigação.
2. to be morally depraved or wicked
He seemed to be corrupt in his dealings with others.
Ele parecia ser corrupto em seus negócios com outros.
3. to be in a state of decay or deterioration (archaic/literary)
The old files were found to be corrupt and unreadable.
Os arquivos antigos foram descobertos estar corrompidos e ilegíveis.
NYC Slang
be on the take; be crooked
Synonyms
be dishonestbe fraudulentbe depravedbe unethicalbe criminal
Antonyms
be honestbe virtuousbe ethicalbe uprightbe incorruptible

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ser corrupto; estar corrompido
Common usage in both formal and informal contexts
São Paulo
ser corrupto; estar corrompido
Standard usage, often in business and political discourse
Rio de Janeiro
ser corrupto; estar corrompido
Standard usage, frequently used in media and politics
Portugal
ser corrupto; estar corrompido
Standard usage, identical to Brazilian Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

corrupt to the core
be rotten to the core
be a bad apple
have one's hand in the cookie jar
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