← Back to Fala2Me

defy rules

[dɪˈfaɪ ruːlz]
verb phrase
desafiar regras
1. to resist or refuse to obey established rules, regulations, or authority
The teenager decided to defy rules and stay out past curfew.
O adolescente decidiu desafiar as regras e ficar fora depois do toque de recolher.
2. to act in a way that goes against established norms or expectations
She chose to defy rules by wearing unconventional clothing to the formal event.
Ela optou por desafiar as regras usando roupas não convencionais no evento formal.
NYC Slang
break the rules, go rogue
Synonyms
break rulesviolate rulesflout rulesdisobey rulestransgress rulesbreach rules
Antonyms
follow rulesobey rulescomply with rulesadhere to rulesrespect rules

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
desafiar regras
most common usage
Rio de Janeiro
desafiar as normas
similar usage with emphasis on norms
São Paulo
quebrar as regras
informal alternative meaning to break rules
Portugal
desafiar as regras
standard Portuguese equivalent

Related Idioms & Phrases

break the mold
go against the grain
bend the rules
push the boundaries
rock the boat
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →