imprecise order

[/ɪmprɪˈsaɪs ˈɔrdər/]
nounpl: imprecise orders
ordem imprecisa
1. An instruction or command that lacks clarity, specificity, or exactness in its requirements or expectations
The manager gave an imprecise order about the deadline, leaving the team confused about when the project should be completed.
O gerente deu uma ordem imprecisa sobre o prazo, deixando a equipe confusa sobre quando o projeto deveria ser concluído.
2. A directive that contains ambiguous or vague language, making it difficult to execute correctly
The imprecise order to 'improve performance' without specific metrics made it hard for employees to understand what was expected.
A ordem imprecisa de 'melhorar o desempenho' sem métricas específicas dificultou que os funcionários entendessem o que era esperado.
In Brazilian corporate culture, imprecise orders are a common source of workplace frustration and miscommunication. The concept reflects broader communication challenges in hierarchical organizational structures. In American business contexts, there is typically greater emphasis on written documentation and explicit specifications to avoid such ambiguity.
NYC Slang
wishy-washy order; order that doesn't make sense
Synonyms / Sinônimos
vague orderunclear instructionambiguous directivefuzzy commandill-defined order
Antonyms / Antônimos
precise orderclear instructionexplicit directivespecific commandwell-defined order

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ordem imprecisa
Standard usage in business and formal contexts
São Paulo
ordem vaga; ordem pouco clara
More commonly used in corporate environments
Rio de Janeiro
ordem confusa
Alternative phrasing emphasizing confusion
Portugal
ordem imprecisa; ordem vaga
Similar usage to Brazilian Portuguese, slightly more formal in legal contexts

Related Words

ambiguityvaguenessclarityspecificitydirective

Related Idioms & Phrases

leave room for interpretation
beat around the bush
speak in tongues
talk in circles
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