clumsy steps
[ˈklʌm.zi stɛps]
noun phrasepl: clumsy steps
passos desajeitados
1. Heavy, awkward movements of the feet while walking or moving; steps that lack grace, coordination, or elegance
He took clumsy steps across the icy sidewalk, nearly falling twice.
Ele deu passos desajeitados pelo passeio congelado, quase caindo duas vezes.
2. Figuratively, an awkward or poorly executed action or approach toward a goal
The company's clumsy steps toward modernization alienated many customers.
Os passos desajeitados da empresa em direção à modernização alienaram muitos clientes.
In Brazilian culture, 'passos desajeitados' is used both literally to describe physical awkwardness and metaphorically in business, politics, and social contexts to describe fumbling attempts at change or progress. The phrase carries a somewhat critical or humorous tone, often used to describe someone who is learning or struggling with a new task.
NYC Slang
stumbling around like a newbie; clumsy footwork
Related Idioms & Phrases
taking baby steps - pequeninhos passos / passos de bebê
put your best foot forward - colocar o melhor pé em frente
walk on eggshells - pisar em ovos / andar com cuidado
trip the light fantastic - dançar com elegância (opposite sentiment)
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