capricious delay

[kə-ˈpri-shəs dɪˈleɪ]
noun phrasepl: capricious delays
atraso caprichoso
1. An unpredictable or whimsical postponement of something that lacks clear reason or justification, often seeming arbitrary or subject to sudden change
The capricious delay in the project approval frustrated the entire team.
O atraso caprichoso na aprovação do projeto frustrou toda a equipe.
2. A postponement based on the unreasonable or erratic behavior of a person in authority
The manager's capricious delays in making decisions slowed down the workflow.
Os atrasos caprichosos do gerente em tomar decisões desaceleraram o fluxo de trabalho.
In Brazilian business culture, 'atraso caprichoso' reflects frustration with bureaucratic or managerial indecision. The term is often used critically to describe lack of professionalism. In American English, this phrase is less common but conveys strong disapproval of unreliable decision-making, particularly in formal or professional settings.
NYC Slang
being dragged along; getting the runaround
Synonyms / Sinônimos
arbitrary delaywhimsical postponementerratic delayunpredictable postponementunreasonable delay
Antonyms / Antônimos
justified delayreasonable postponementplanned delaypredictable delay

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
atraso caprichoso
Standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
atraso caprichoso; enrolação caprichosa
Colloquial: 'enrolação' emphasizes deliberate stalling
São Paulo
atraso caprichoso; demora caprichosa
'Demora' is commonly used in business context
Portugal
atraso caprichoso; demora caprichosa
Usage similar to Brazilian Portuguese, though less common in everyday speech

Related Words

capriciousdelaypostponementprocrastinationwhimsicalarbitrary

Related Idioms & Phrases

beat around the bush
drag one's feet
put off
procrastinate on a whim
waste time deliberately
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