isolated action

[/ˈaɪ.sə.leɪ.tɪd ˈæk.ʃən/]
nounpl: isolated actions
ação isolada
1. A single action or event that stands alone without connection to other actions or events
The incident was an isolated action by a rogue employee, not a systemic problem.
O incidente foi uma ação isolada de um funcionário desonesto, não um problema sistêmico.
2. In law and legal contexts, an action taken independently without being part of a broader pattern or conspiracy
The judge ruled that the defendant's behavior constituted an isolated action rather than premeditated fraud.
O juiz determinou que o comportamento do réu constituía uma ação isolada e não uma fraude premeditada.
3. In behavioral or psychological contexts, a single occurrence of behavior that is not typical of the person's usual conduct
His outburst was merely an isolated action triggered by extreme stress.
Seu surto foi meramente uma ação isolada desencadeada pelo estresse extremo.
In Brazilian business and legal contexts, the phrase 'ação isolada' is frequently used to distinguish individual misconduct from organizational liability. In the USA, this term is important in employment law and corporate accountability discussions, where the distinction between isolated actions and systemic problems can have significant legal and financial implications. In Portugal, the term maintains similar legal significance but may be expressed with slightly different vocabulary in formal legal documents.
NYC Slang
one-off / a lone wolf move
Synonyms / Sinônimos
isolated incidentstandalone actionsingle occurrenceone-off actiondisconnected act
Antonyms / Antônimos
pattern of behaviorsystemic actionhabitual conductrecurring actioncoordinated action

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
ação isolada
Most common usage throughout Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
ação isolada / fato isolado
Colloquially may use 'fato isolado' interchangeably
São Paulo
ação isolada
Standard usage, particularly in business and legal contexts
Portugal
ação isolada / acto isolado
European Portuguese may use 'acto' instead of 'ação' in formal contexts

Related Words

isolated incidentpattern of behaviorsystemic issueanomalyoutlierindependent action

Related Idioms & Phrases

an isolated incident
a standalone occurrence
not part of a broader pattern
a one-time thing
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