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do the least

[/duː ðə liːst/]
verb phrase
fazer o mínimo
1. to make minimal effort; to do only what is absolutely necessary
He always does the least amount of work required to pass the class.
Ele sempre faz o mínimo de trabalho necessário para passar na aula.
2. to avoid taking responsibility or going the extra mile
She does the least possible to help with family matters.
Ela faz o mínimo possível para ajudar nos assuntos familiares.
NYC Slang
half-step; mail it in
Synonyms
do the bare minimumslack offcut cornershalf-assphone it in
Antonyms
go the extra miledo one's bestput in full effortgive it your all

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
fazer o mínimo
standard usage
Brazil
fazer pelo menos
alternative phrasing
Portugal
fazer o mínimo indispensável
more formal usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

do the bare minimum
take the easy way out
cut it short
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