impractical tool

[/ɪmˈpræktɪkəl tuːl/]
noun phrasepl: impractical tools
ferramenta impraticável
1. A tool or instrument that is not suitable, efficient, or feasible for its intended purpose or practical use
Using a hammer to paint a wall is an impractical tool for the job.
Usar um martelo para pintar uma parede é uma ferramenta impraticável para o trabalho.
2. Something designed or proposed that cannot be effectively or realistically applied in real-world situations
The theory was intellectually interesting but proved to be an impractical tool in actual business operations.
A teoria era intelectualmente interessante, mas mostrou-se uma ferramenta impraticável nas operações comerciais reais.
In both Brazilian and American contexts, describing something as an 'impractical tool' is commonly used in business, engineering, and problem-solving discussions to criticize solutions that lack real-world applicability. In Brazil, there's often an emphasis on pragmatism (jogo de cintura), so calling something impractical is a significant criticism of inefficiency.
NYC Slang
a bum tool / a tool that sucks
Synonyms / Sinônimos
useless toolineffective instrumentinadequate toolunwieldy instrumentcumbersome tool
Antonyms / Antônimos
practical tooluseful instrumenteffective toolhandy toolefficient instrument

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
ferramenta impraticável
Standard usage across Brazil
São Paulo
ferramenta impraticável / ferramenta inútil
Common in technical and business contexts
Rio de Janeiro
ferramenta que não funciona / ferramenta ruim
More colloquial usage
Portugal
ferramenta impraticável / ferramenta inutilizável
Similar to Brazilian Portuguese with slight formality variations

Related Words

impracticalityinefficiencyunsuitableunfeasibleworkabilityfunctionality

Related Idioms & Phrases

like trying to hammer a nail with a shoe (trying to use an impractical tool)
a square peg in a round hole (something impractical for its purpose)
all dressed up with nowhere to go (impractical without proper application)
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