exceptional circumstances

[ɪkˈsɛpʃənəl ˈsɜːrkəmstænsɪz]
noun phrase
circunstâncias excepcionais
1. Unusual, rare, or extraordinary situations that deviate significantly from normal conditions and justify special treatment or exceptions to standard rules
The company made an exception to their refund policy due to exceptional circumstances.
A empresa fez uma exceção à sua política de reembolso devido às circunstâncias excepcionais.
2. Legal or administrative situations where normal procedures can be bypassed or modified because the case is extraordinary or unique
The judge granted bail under exceptional circumstances given the defendant's health condition.
O juiz concedeu fiança sob circunstâncias excepcionais dado o estado de saúde do réu.
3. Emergency or crisis conditions that require immediate deviation from established protocols
Schools were closed under exceptional circumstances due to the natural disaster.
As escolas foram fechadas sob circunstâncias excepcionais devido ao desastre natural.
This phrase is commonly used in formal legal, administrative, and business contexts in both Brazil and the United States. In Brazilian Portuguese, it frequently appears in government decrees, court decisions, and corporate policies. The phrase implies that a situation is so unique or serious that normal rules do not apply, making it culturally significant in bureaucratic and legal systems where adherence to procedures is typically strict.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
unusual circumstancesextraordinary circumstancesspecial circumstancesrare circumstancesexceptional cases
Antonyms / Antônimos
normal circumstancesordinary circumstancesstandard conditionsroutine situations

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
circunstâncias excepcionais
Most common formal usage in legal and administrative contexts
Rio de Janeiro
circunstâncias excepcionais / situações excepcionais
Both terms used interchangeably in formal and informal speech
São Paulo
circunstâncias excepcionais
Preferred in business and legal documents
Portugal
circunstâncias excecionais / situações extraordinárias
Portuguese variant spelling without 'p' is common; both terms widely used

Related Words

exceptionextraordinaryanomalydeviationemergencycrisis

Related Idioms & Phrases

in exceptional circumstances
under exceptional circumstances
except in exceptional circumstances
only in exceptional circumstances
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