be mulish
[/biː ˈmjuːlɪʃ/]
verb phrase
ser teimoso; ser obstinado; ser intratável
1. to be stubbornly obstinate or refuse to change one's mind or behavior despite persuasion
He's being mulish about accepting the new work schedule.
Ele está sendo teimoso em aceitar o novo horário de trabalho.
2. to display stubborn resistance like a mule, acting difficult or uncooperative
The child was being mulish and refused to eat her vegetables.
A criança estava sendo intratável e recusou comer seus vegetais.
The expression derives from the reputation of mules for being notoriously stubborn and difficult to manage. It's commonly used in both American English and Brazilian Portuguese to describe someone who is unreasonably refusing to cooperate or change their position. The term carries a slightly humorous or exasperated tone rather than being purely derogatory.
NYC Slang
be hardheaded; be acting like a mule; be difficult
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