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be improper

[bē im-ˈprä-pər]
verb
ser impróprio
1. to be inappropriate, unsuitable, or not conforming to accepted standards of behavior or propriety
It would be improper to arrive late to a formal dinner without notification.
Seria impróprio chegar atrasado a um jantar formal sem aviso prévio.
2. to be incorrect or inaccurate in a technical or formal context
The use of colloquial language would be improper in an academic essay.
O uso de linguagem coloquial seria impróprio em um ensaio acadêmico.
3. to violate social conventions or etiquette
It would be improper to discuss personal finances at a business meeting.
Seria impróprio discutir finanças pessoais em uma reunião de negócios.
Synonyms
be inappropriatebe unsuitablebe unfitbe incorrectbe indecorous
Antonyms
be properbe appropriatebe suitablebe fittingbe correct

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ser impróprio
standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
ser impróprio
no significant regional variation
São Paulo
ser impróprio
no significant regional variation
Portugal
ser impróprio
standard European Portuguese usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

breach of etiquette
out of line
against the rules
crossing the line
not done
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