inattentive help
[ɪnəˈtɛntɪv hɛlp]
noun phrasepl: inattentive help (uncountable) / instances of inattentive help
ajuda desatenta
1. assistance or aid provided without proper focus, concentration, or care; help given in a careless or negligent manner
The intern's inattentive help during the project caused several mistakes that had to be corrected.
A ajuda desatenta do estagiário durante o projeto causou vários erros que tiveram de ser corrigidos.
2. support offered by someone who is not fully engaged or paying attention to the task at hand
His inattentive help while babysitting meant the children got into trouble.
Sua ajuda desatenta enquanto cuidava das crianças fez com que elas se metessem em encrencas.
In both Brazilian and American contexts, 'inattentive help' is generally viewed negatively. In Brazilian culture, there's an emphasis on 'jogo de cintura' (flexibility) and proper engagement in tasks, so inattentive help contradicts the value placed on personal involvement. In the US, it relates to criticisms of not 'pulling one's weight' or being a team player. The phrase is commonly used in workplace, academic, and family contexts to describe disappointment with substandard assistance.
NYC Slang
sloppy help / half-assed help
Related Idioms & Phrases
help with one eye closed
going through the motions
phoning it in
não colocar a mão na massa (not putting your hand in the dough - not truly engaging)
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