half-measures

[/hɑːf ˈmeʒərz/]

nounpl: half-measures

meias medidas

1. Inadequate or incomplete actions or solutions that fail to address a problem fully

The government's half-measures to combat inflation proved ineffective.

As meias medidas do governo para combater a inflação se mostraram ineficazes.

2. Weak or timid efforts; compromises that satisfy no one

We can't afford half-measures when dealing with climate change.

Não podemos nos permitir meias medidas ao lidar com as mudanças climáticas.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

meias medidas

Most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese

Portugal

meias medidas

Standard usage in European Portuguese

Brazil

soluções parciais

Alternative formal expression

go the whole hog (opposite meaning - to do something completely)

do things by halves (similar meaning - incomplete effort)

a stitch in time saves nine (suggests prevention is better than partial measures)

Look up more words on Fala2Me

The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more