be forced

[bē fôrst]
verb phrase
ser forçado / ser obrigado
1. to be compelled or obligated to do something against one's will
She was forced to leave her job due to health issues.
Ela foi obrigada a deixar seu emprego por problemas de saúde.
2. to be subjected to physical or mental pressure to act in a certain way
The government was forced to implement new policies.
O governo foi forçado a implementar novas políticas.
3. to be pushed or driven into a particular situation or action
He was forced into making a difficult decision.
Ele foi forçado a tomar uma decisão difícil.
This phrase is commonly used in both American and Brazilian contexts when discussing situations involving compulsion, legal obligations, or external pressure. In Brazilian workplaces, 'ser obrigado' is frequently used when discussing labor laws or workplace requirements.
NYC Slang
be pressed / be strong-armed
Synonyms / Sinônimos
be compelledbe obligedbe pressuredbe coercedbe constrained
Antonyms / Antônimos
be freehave a choicebe willingbe voluntary

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ser forçado / ser obrigado
Most common usage in everyday Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
ser forçado / ser obrigado
Same as general Brazilian usage
São Paulo
ser forçado / ser obrigado
Same as general Brazilian usage
Portugal
ser forçado / ser obrigado
Identical usage in European Portuguese

Related Words

forcecompelcoerceobligeconstraint

Related Idioms & Phrases

forced to one's hand
have one's hand forced
forced into a corner
forced to eat one's words
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