forestall the problem

[fɔːrˈstɔːl ðə ˈprɑːbləm]
verb phrase
evitar o problema antecipadamente; impedir o problema; antecipar-se ao problema
1. To prevent something undesirable from happening by taking action in advance; to head off a problem before it occurs
The company decided to forestall the problem by implementing new safety measures before any incidents occurred.
A empresa decidiu evitar o problema antecipadamente implementando novas medidas de segurança antes de qualquer incidente ocorrer.
2. To obstruct or delay the action or progress of something negative
Early intervention can forestall the problem from becoming worse.
A intervenção precoce pode impedir que o problema se agrave.
This phrase is widely used in American business and management contexts, emphasizing proactive problem-solving rather than reactive approaches. In Brazilian Portuguese, the concept is common in corporate environments and increasingly in everyday language, reflecting a shift toward preventive thinking in modern society.
NYC Slang
Get ahead of the problem; squash it before it starts
Synonyms / Sinônimos
prevent the problemavert the problemhead off the problemnip the problem in the budpreempt the problemstave off the problem
Antonyms / Antônimos
allow the problem to occurlet the problem developignore the problemexacerbate the problem

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
evitar o problema antecipadamente; impedir o problema
Most common usage in contemporary Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
barrar o problema; impedir na raiz
More colloquial usage in Rio dialect
São Paulo
antecipar-se ao problema; resolver antes
Business and formal contexts
Portugal
impedir antecipadamente; obviar o problema
More formal register in European Portuguese

Related Words

forestallpreventionproactiveanticipatepreemptive actionmitigation

Related Idioms & Phrases

nip it in the bud
get ahead of the curve
stay one step ahead
cut the problem off at the pass
deal with it proactively
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