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flimflam

[/ˈflɪmflæm/]
noun, verbpl: flimflams
engano, fraude, cilada
1. A confidence trick or swindle; deceptive or dishonest behavior
The con artist ran a flimflam scheme targeting elderly people.
O estelionatário executou um esquema de engano visando idosos.
2. Nonsense or deceptive talk intended to mislead
Don't believe his flimflam about easy money.
Não acredite na sua conversa mole sobre dinheiro fácil.
3. (verb) To swindle or trick someone
He tried to flimflam me into buying a fake watch.
Ele tentou me enganar para comprar um relógio falso.
NYC Slang
con, grift, shell game
Synonyms
scamswindlecontrickhoaxfrauddeception
Antonyms
honestyintegritytruthlegitimacy

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
engano, fraude, cilada
commonly used in informal contexts
São Paulo
golpe, estelionato
more formal usage, especially in legal contexts
Rio de Janeiro
cilada, papo furado
informal, colloquial usage
Portugal
burla, embuste, conto do vigário
traditional equivalent for the classic con

Related Idioms & Phrases

run a flimflam on someone
fall for a flimflam
see through someone's flimflam
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