be rebellious

[/bɪ rɪˈbɛljəs/]

verb phrase

ser rebelde

1. to act in defiance of authority or established conventions; to resist or oppose rules and norms

The teenager decided to be rebellious and dye her hair purple.

A adolescente decidiu ser rebelde e pintar o cabelo de roxo.

2. to show a tendency to resist control or authority

He was being rebellious against his parents' strict rules.

Ele estava sendo rebelde contra as regras rigorosas de seus pais.

NYC Slang

act out, be a troublemaker, go against the grain

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

ser rebelde

Standard usage across Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

ser rebelde / agir com rebeldia

Common usage with emphasis on attitude

São Paulo

ser rebelde / estar de fogo

Colloquial alternative in informal contexts

Portugal

ser rebelde / comportar-se de forma rebelde

Standard European Portuguese usage

kick against the pricks

go against the grain

swim against the tide

rock the boat

throw caution to the wind

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