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derail the primary purpose

[dɪˈreɪl ðə ˈpraɪmeri ˈpɜrpəs]
verb phrase
descarrilar o propósito principal
1. To divert or obstruct the main goal or objective; to cause something to deviate from its intended course or purpose
The unexpected budget cuts threatened to derail the primary purpose of the research project.
Os cortes orçamentários inesperados ameaçavam descarrilar o propósito principal do projeto de pesquisa.
2. To prevent or hinder the achievement of the main aim or objective
Personal conflicts should not derail the primary purpose of our organization.
Conflitos pessoais não devem descarrilar o propósito principal da nossa organização.
NYC Slang
throw a wrench in the works; throw it off
Synonyms
undermine the main goalobstruct the primary objectivedivert from the intended purposehinder the main aimsabotage the primary goal
Antonyms
fulfill the primary purposeadvance the main objectivesupport the primary goalstay on course

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
descarrilar o propósito principal / desviar do objetivo principal
Most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese
Portugal
desencaminhar o propósito principal / desviar do objectivo principal
European Portuguese variant; uses 'objectivo' instead of 'objetivo'

Related Idioms & Phrases

throw a wrench in the works
knock something off track
throw someone off course
get sidetracked
lose the plot
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