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buck the system

[bʌk ðə ˈsɪstəm]
verb phrase
desafiar o sistema
1. To resist, challenge, or oppose established rules, authorities, or conventional ways of doing things
She decided to buck the system and start her own business instead of following the traditional career path.
Ela decidiu desafiar o sistema e começar seu próprio negócio em vez de seguir o caminho profissional tradicional.
2. To go against the grain; to act in defiance of societal expectations or institutional norms
The activists were bucking the system by protesting against government policies.
Os ativistas estavam desafiando o sistema ao protestar contra as políticas governamentais.
NYC Slang
go rogue, flip the script, do your own thing
Synonyms
rebel againstdefy authorityresist the establishmentgo against the grainchallenge the status quobreak the rules
Antonyms
conformcomplyfollow the rulesobey authoritygo along withtoe the line

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
desafiar o sistema
Most common translation in Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
enfrentar o sistema
Alternative common usage
São Paulo
ir contra o sistema
Common in urban contexts
Portugal
desafiar a ordem estabelecida
More formal Portuguese usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

rock the boat
go against the grain
swim against the current
kick against the pricks
march to the beat of your own drum
stick it to the man
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