← Back to Fala2Me

delay the main purpose

[dɪˈleɪ ðə meɪn ˈpɜrpəs]
verb phrase
adiar o propósito principal
1. to postpone or put off the primary objective or main goal
Bureaucratic procedures delay the main purpose of the program.
Os procedimentos burocráticos adiam o propósito principal do programa.
2. to obstruct or hinder the achievement of the primary aim
Unnecessary meetings delay the main purpose of the project.
Reuniões desnecessárias atrasam o propósito principal do projeto.
Synonyms
defer the main objectivepostpone the primary goalobstruct the main aimhinder the principal purpose
Antonyms
expedite the main purposeaccelerate the primary objectiveadvance the main goal

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
adiar o propósito principal
most common usage across Brazil
São Paulo
atrasar o objetivo principal
alternative phrasing commonly used in business context
Portugal
atrasar o objectivo principal
uses 'objectivo' instead of 'propósito'; note spelling with 'c'

Related Idioms & Phrases

beat around the bush
put off the inevitable
delay gratification
procrastination is the thief of time
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →