furtive behavior
[/ˈfɜːrtɪv bɪˈheɪvjər/]
noun phrasepl: furtive behaviors
comportamento furtivo
1. secretive, sneaky, or stealthy conduct done in a way intended to avoid notice or detection
His furtive behavior raised suspicions among the security team.
Seu comportamento furtivo levantou suspeitas entre a equipe de segurança.
2. actions or movements characterized by stealth, evasiveness, or an attempt to conceal one's intentions
The furtive behavior of the suspect suggested he had something to hide.
O comportamento furtivo do suspeito sugeriu que ele tinha algo a esconder.
In Brazilian culture, furtive behavior is often associated with street cunning ('jogo de cintura') and can range from petty evasion to serious criminal intent. In the USA, it typically triggers immediate suspicion in security contexts, corporate environments, and law enforcement. The term reflects cultural differences in trust and transparency between American directness and Brazilian social flexibility.
NYC Slang
shady behavior / sus moves
Related Idioms & Phrases
to act on the sly
to do something under the radar
to sneak around
comportar-se às escondidas (PT-BR)
agir pelas costas (PT-BR)
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