holding improperly

[ˈhoʊldɪŋ ɪmˈprɑpərli]
verb phrase
segurando indevidamente
1. gripping, grasping, or maintaining possession of something in an incorrect, inappropriate, or unsafe manner
The referee called a penalty for holding improperly during the football game.
O árbitro marcou uma penalidade por segurar indevidamente durante o jogo de futebol.
2. in legal or technical contexts, possessing or retaining something contrary to rules, regulations, or proper procedure
The officer cited the driver for holding improperly obtained documents.
O policial multou o motorista por estar em posse de documentos obtidos indevidamente.
3. in sports, committing a foul by grasping an opponent in a prohibited manner
The player was penalized for holding improperly on the tackle.
O jogador foi penalizado por segurar indevidamente na colisão.
This phrase is frequently used in American sports commentary, particularly in American football where 'holding' is a common penalty. In Brazilian Portuguese, it's commonly heard in sports broadcasts (futebol americano) and legal contexts. The term reflects the importance of proper technique and rule compliance in both sports and legal proceedings across English and Portuguese-speaking cultures.
NYC Slang
holdin' wrong / bad grip
Synonyms / Sinônimos
grasping improperlygripping incorrectlypossessing unlawfullymaintaining improper control
Antonyms / Antônimos
releasing properlyholding correctlyrelinquishingletting go appropriately

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
segurando indevidamente
standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
segurando errado
colloquial, more informal variation
São Paulo
segurando inadequadamente
slightly more formal usage
Portugal
segurando indevidamente
similar to Brazilian Portuguese with identical standard form

Related Words

illegal holdingimproper possessionfaulty gripinappropriate graspholding penalty

Related Idioms & Phrases

caught holding the bag improperly
holding on for dear life (incorrectly)
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