flouting custom

[FLOW-ting KUS-tum]
verb phrase / gerund
desrespeitar costume / violar costume / descumprir costume
1. deliberately refusing to obey or respect an established tradition, social norm, or conventional practice
By wearing shorts to the formal dinner, she was flouting custom.
Ao usar shorts para o jantar formal, ela estava desrespeitando o costume.
2. openly showing contempt or disregard for what is traditionally expected or socially acceptable
Flouting custom, the young artist rejected all traditional painting techniques.
Desrespeitando o costume, o jovem artista rejeitou todas as técnicas tradicionais de pintura.
In Brazilian culture, flouting custom is often viewed differently depending on context—it can represent progressive modernization (especially in urban centers like São Paulo) or be seen as disrespectful in more traditional communities. In the USA and NYC specifically, flouting convention is often celebrated as individualism and personal freedom, reflecting the cultural value of nonconformity and innovation.
NYC Slang
going rogue / doing your own thing / breaking the rules
Synonyms / Sinônimos
defying conventionbreaking traditionviolating normsdisregarding customspurning tradition
Antonyms / Antônimos
respecting customfollowing traditionadhering to conventionhonoring customsobeying norms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
desrespeitar costume / violar costume
most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
desrespeitar costume / zoar a tradição
casual variant using 'zoar' (to mock)
São Paulo
desrespeitar costume / romper com a tradição
formal business/academic context
Portugal
desrespeitar costume / violar costume / afrontar tradição
similar usage but 'afrontar' more common in formal contexts

Related Words

rebellionnonconformitytransgressionconventionprotocol

Related Idioms & Phrases

breaking with tradition
thumbing one's nose at convention
kicking against the pricks
going against the grain
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