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capricious rules

[kə-ˈpri-shəs ˈrülz]
noun phrasepl: capricious rules
regras caprichosas
1. Rules or regulations that are arbitrary, unpredictable, and subject to sudden change based on whim rather than consistent principle
The company's capricious rules made it impossible for employees to know what was expected of them.
As regras caprichosas da empresa tornavam impossível os funcionários saberem o que era esperado deles.
2. Laws or guidelines that lack consistency and are enforced inconsistently or unfairly
Students complained about the school's capricious rules regarding dress code enforcement.
Os alunos reclamaram das regras caprichosas da escola sobre a aplicação do código de vestuário.
NYC Slang
wishy-washy rules, fly-by-night rules
Synonyms
arbitrary ruleserratic ruleswhimsical rulesunpredictable rulesinconsistent rules
Antonyms
consistent rulesfair rulesreasonable rulespredictable rulesstable rules

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
regras caprichosas
Standard usage throughout Brazil
São Paulo
regras caprichosas
Common in formal and informal contexts
Rio de Janeiro
regras caprichosas
Standard usage
Portugal
regras caprichosas
Standard European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

change the rules on someone
bend the rules
play by different rules
move the goalposts
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