defying authority
[dɪˈfaɪɪŋ ɔːˈθɒrɪti]
verb phrase
desafiando a autoridade
1. refusing to obey or show respect to someone in power; actively resisting or challenging the commands or rules of those in authority
The protesters were arrested for defying authority by blocking the main street.
Os manifestantes foram presos por desafiarem a autoridade ao bloquearem a rua principal.
2. acting in bold opposition to established rules, laws, or commands
She faced consequences for defying authority by refusing to follow the school's dress code.
Ela enfrentou consequências por desafiar a autoridade ao se recusar a seguir o código de uniforme da escola.
In Brazil, defying authority carries different cultural weights depending on context—from political activism and civil disobedience seen as legitimate resistance to corruption, to street-level infractions viewed more seriously. In the USA, the concept is often romanticized in popular culture but legally punished. Both cultures value individual expression but maintain legal consequences for actions that challenge established governance structures.
NYC Slang
going against the feds / pushing back on the law / not respecting the system
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