feeble plea

[/ˈfiːbəl pliː/]
noun phrasepl: feeble pleas
apelo fraco; pedido fraco; súplica fraca
1. A weak, unconvincing, or ineffective request, appeal, or argument made to someone for help, mercy, or consideration
His feeble plea for forgiveness fell on deaf ears.
Seu apelo fraco por perdão caiu em ouvidos moucos.
2. A legally or morally weak defense or justification presented in court or in serious matters
The defendant's feeble plea of innocence was rejected by the jury.
A súplica fraca de inocência do réu foi rejeitada pelo júri.
3. A half-hearted or insincere attempt to persuade or convince someone
She made only a feeble plea to stay longer at the party.
Ela fez apenas um pedido fraco para ficar mais tempo na festa.
In both Brazilian and American English contexts, a 'feeble plea' carries connotations of desperation, lack of credibility, or insincerity. It's commonly used in legal, emotional, and argumentative contexts to dismiss someone's attempt at persuasion. In Brazilian Portuguese, similar expressions emphasize the weakness of the appeal rather than its emotional quality.
NYC Slang
weak sauce; lame excuse
Synonyms / Sinônimos
weak argumentlame excusefaint appealunconvincing requesthalf-hearted pleaineffectual appeal
Antonyms / Antônimos
strong pleacompelling argumentconvincing appealforceful requestpowerful argument

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
apelo fraco; pedido fraco
Most common usage in standard Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
apelo fraco; súplica fraca
Formal and informal contexts both used
São Paulo
pedido fraco; apelo fraco
Commonly used in business and legal contexts
Portugal
apelo débil; pedido fraco
European Portuguese uses 'débil' alternatively

Related Words

pleaappealrequestfeebleweak argumentdefensejustification

Related Idioms & Phrases

fall on deaf ears
ring hollow
hold no water
cut no ice
not hold up in court
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