fuel frustration

[FYOO-əl FRUH-strey-shən]
verb phrase
alimentar a frustração
1. to intensify, aggravate, or increase someone's feeling of frustration
The constant delays fuel frustration among commuters.
Os atrasos constantes alimentam a frustração entre os passageiros.
2. to provide reasons or causes that make frustration grow stronger
Poor customer service only fuels frustration.
O atendimento ao cliente ruim apenas alimenta a frustração.
This phrase is commonly used in both American English and Brazilian Portuguese to describe situations where circumstances or actions make existing frustration worse. In corporate and service industry contexts in Brazil, 'alimentar a frustração' is frequently used in customer service training and workplace communication discussions.
NYC Slang
feed the frustration / stoke the fire
Synonyms / Sinônimos
aggravate frustrationintensify frustrationstoke frustrationprovoke frustrationamplify frustration
Antonyms / Antônimos
alleviate frustrationreduce frustrationease frustrationrelieve frustration

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
alimentar a frustração
Most common and widely understood translation
São Paulo
aumentar a frustração
Alternative using 'aumentar' (to increase)
Rio de Janeiro
piorar a frustração
Alternative using 'piorar' (to worsen)
Portugal
alimentar a frustração
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; 'agravar a frustração' also acceptable

Related Words

exacerbatecompoundaggravateprovokefrustrationannoyanceirritation

Related Idioms & Phrases

add fuel to the fire
pour oil on troubled waters (antonym)
hit a nerve
rub someone the wrong way
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