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be unruly

[/bi ʌnˈruːli/]
verb phrase
ser indisciplinado; ser desobediente; comportar-se de forma desordeira
1. to behave in a disorderly, disobedient, or difficult manner; to resist control or discipline
The unruly students refused to follow the teacher's instructions.
Os alunos indisciplinados recusaram-se a seguir as instruções do professor.
2. to be wild, uncontrollable, or rebellious
His unruly hair wouldn't stay in place.
Seu cabelo desobediente não conseguia ficar no lugar.
3. to act against rules or authority; to be defiant
The crowd became unruly during the protest.
A multidão tornou-se desordeira durante o protesto.
NYC Slang
act out; be a troublemaker; give someone a hard time
Synonyms
be disobedientbe disorderlybe rebelliousbe difficultmisbehaveact up
Antonyms
be obedientbe well-behavedbe disciplinedbe orderlycomply

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ser indisciplinado; comportar-se de forma desordeira
most common usage
Rio de Janeiro
ser desordeiro; fazer bagunça
colloquial, informal
São Paulo
ser indócil; não obedecer
more formal usage
Portugal
ser indisciplinado; ser desordeiro; comportar-se mal
standard European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

to kick up one's heels (comportar-se de forma desordeira)
to raise hell (causar tumulto ou desordem)
to go wild (comportar-se sem controle)
to break loose (libertar-se do controle)
to be a handful (ser alguém difícil de controlar)
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