ill-prepared

[/ɪl prɪˈpɛrd/]
adjective
mal preparado
1. not adequately ready or equipped for something; lacking sufficient preparation
The team was ill-prepared for the championship game.
O time estava mal preparado para o jogo do campeonato.
2. lacking the necessary knowledge, skills, or resources to handle a task or situation
She felt ill-prepared for the job interview despite her qualifications.
Ela se sentiu mal preparada para a entrevista de emprego apesar de suas qualificações.
In both American and Brazilian contexts, being 'ill-prepared' is viewed negatively in professional and academic settings. In Brazil, this phrase often appears in discussions about education and job readiness. In the USA, it's commonly used in corporate and military contexts to emphasize the importance of proper planning and training.
NYC Slang
caught slipping
Synonyms / Sinônimos
unpreparedunreadyill-equippedinadequately preparedunderprepared
Antonyms / Antônimos
well-preparedreadyequippedprepared

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
mal preparado
Standard usage across Brazil
São Paulo
desapercebido
Alternative informal usage meaning caught off guard
Portugal
mal preparado
Same as Brazilian usage; also 'despreparado' is common

Related Words

preparationreadinessimproviseunpreparedequipped

Related Idioms & Phrases

caught off guard
not up to the task
in over one's head
flying by the seat of one's pants
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →