deceptive instruction

[/dɪˈsɛptɪv ɪnˈstrʌkʃən/]
nounpl: deceptive instructions
instrução enganosa
1. A directive or order that deliberately misleads, conceals true intent, or provides false information to achieve an objective
The deceptive instruction led employees to believe the company was financially stable when it was actually bankrupt.
A instrução enganosa levou os funcionários a acreditar que a empresa era financeiramente estável quando estava na verdade falida.
2. In military or intelligence contexts, a strategic communication designed to mislead an adversary about capabilities, intentions, or operations
The general issued deceptive instructions to confuse enemy forces about the location of the attack.
O general emitiu instruções enganosas para confundir as forças inimigas sobre a localização do ataque.
3. Information that appears legitimate but contains hidden falsehoods or omissions designed to manipulate behavior
The deceptive instructions in the contract obscured unfavorable terms for the buyer.
As instruções enganosas no contrato obscureciam os termos desfavoráveis para o comprador.
This term is frequently used in corporate compliance, legal, and cybersecurity contexts in both the United States and Brazil. In Brazil, it's particularly relevant in discussions about consumer protection law (Código de Defesa do Consumidor) and corporate governance. In the USA, the term is common in fraud detection, military doctrine, and ethical business discussions.
NYC Slang
A bum steer; feeding someone a line
Synonyms / Sinônimos
misleading instructionfraudulent directionfalse guidancedishonest directive
Antonyms / Antônimos
honest instructiontruthful guidancetransparent directiongenuine instruction

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
instrução enganosa
Most common and formal usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
instrução enganosa; ordem falsa
May use 'ordem falsa' in colloquial speech
São Paulo
instrução enganosa; direcionamento falso
Business and corporate contexts often use 'direcionamento falso'
Portugal
instrução enganosa; instrução fraudulenta
Portuguese variant uses both terms interchangeably

Related Words

deceptionmisinformationfraudmanipulationmisleadingdishonesty

Related Idioms & Phrases

give someone a bum steer
lead someone up the garden path
pull the wool over someone's eyes
take someone for a ride
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →