indefinite measures

[/ɪnˈdɛfənɪt ˈmɛʒərz/]
noun
medidas indefinidas
1. Actions or steps taken without a specified end date, duration, or clear boundaries; temporary measures of uncertain length
The government implemented indefinite measures to control the pandemic.
O governo implementou medidas indefinidas para controlar a pandemia.
2. In legal or administrative contexts, provisions or restrictions applied without a determined termination point
The court issued indefinite measures to freeze the assets pending investigation.
O tribunal emitiu medidas indefinidas para congelar os bens em investigação.
3. Vague or unspecified actions lacking clear parameters or quantifiable limits
The company adopted indefinite measures regarding remote work policies.
A empresa adotou medidas indefinidas com relação às políticas de trabalho remoto.
This term is commonly used in Brazilian legal, governmental, and corporate contexts, particularly regarding labor laws, emergency measures, and administrative decisions. In the United States, similar concepts appear in legal injunctions and court orders. The phrase gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic when governments worldwide implemented 'indefinite measures' without clear end dates, making it a contemporary expression in both Portuguese and English media.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
temporary measuresopen-ended measuresvague measuresuncertain measuresprovisional measures
Antonyms / Antônimos
definite measuresspecific measurestime-bound measuresconcrete measuresdeterminate measures

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
medidas indefinidas
Most common usage in formal and legal contexts
São Paulo
medidas por prazo indeterminado
Emphasizes the indefinite duration aspect
Rio de Janeiro
medidas vagas
Colloquial variant emphasizing vagueness
Portugal
medidas indefinidas
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; formal legal terminology

Related Words

provisional measurestemporary injunctionrestraining orderadministrative actionpolicy implementation

Related Idioms & Phrases

for an indefinite period
without a set timeline
open-ended arrangement
leave hanging in the air
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →