be undermined

[/bi ˌʌndərˈmaɪnd/]
verb phrase
ser minado, ser enfraquecido, ser sabotado
1. to have one's power, authority, or confidence gradually weakened or damaged
His credibility was undermined by the scandal.
Sua credibilidade foi minada pelo escândalo.
2. to weaken or damage something from below or from within
The foundation was undermined by water erosion.
A fundação foi enfraquecida pela erosão hídrica.
3. to deliberately attempt to weaken or subvert someone or something
She felt her efforts were being undermined by her colleagues.
Ela sentia que seus esforços estavam sendo sabotados por seus colegas.
This phrase is commonly used in both American and Brazilian contexts to describe situations where someone's position, reputation, or work is deliberately or inadvertently weakened. In Brazilian corporate culture, 'ser minado' is frequently used in professional discussions, while 'ser sabotado' carries a stronger connotation of intentional action. The expression reflects concerns about workplace dynamics and institutional integrity across both English and Portuguese-speaking cultures.
NYC Slang
get played, get dissed, get thrown under the bus
Synonyms / Sinônimos
be weakenedbe sabotagedbe subvertedbe erodedbe damagedbe compromisedbe thwarted
Antonyms / Antônimos
be strengthenedbe reinforcedbe supportedbe bolsteredbe upheld

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ser minado, ser enfraquecido
most common usage in contemporary Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
ser minado, ser sabotado
common in informal and urban contexts
São Paulo
ser comprometeido, ser enfraquecido
more formal business and professional usage
Portugal
ser minado, ser prejudicado
European Portuguese variant with slightly different emphasis

Related Words

undermineerosionsabotageweakencompromisesubvertfoundation

Related Idioms & Phrases

have the rug pulled out from under someone
cut the ground from under someone's feet
be stabbed in the back
have one's authority questioned
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