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indirect proposal

[/ˌɪndərekt prəˈpoʊzəl/]
nounpl: indirect proposals
proposta indireta
1. A suggestion or offer made in a subtle, implicit, or roundabout manner rather than directly stated
She made an indirect proposal by mentioning how nice it would be to travel together.
Ela fez uma proposta indireta mencionando como seria bom viajar juntos.
2. In grammar, a reported or indirect form of expressing a proposal or suggestion
The indirect proposal in reported speech changes 'Let's meet tomorrow' to 'He suggested that they meet tomorrow.'
A proposta indireta no discurso indireto transforma 'Vamos nos encontrar amanhã' em 'Ele sugeriu que se encontrassem amanhã.'
3. A business or formal suggestion that implies rather than explicitly states a course of action
The manager's indirect proposal hinted at restructuring without openly announcing it.
A proposta indireta do gerente sugeria uma reestruturação sem anunciá-la abertamente.
Synonyms
subtle suggestionimplicit offerroundabout proposalveiled suggestionhintinsinuation
Antonyms
direct proposalexplicit suggestionstraightforward offerclear proposal

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
proposta indireta
Most common usage throughout Brazil
São Paulo
proposta indireta / sugestão velada
Both terms commonly used in business context
Portugal
proposta indireta / sugestão implícita
Preferred in formal and academic contexts

Related Idioms & Phrases

read between the lines
beat around the bush
get the hint
drop a hint
suggestion in disguise
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