make it complicated

[/meɪk ɪt ˈkɒmplɪkeɪtɪd/]
verb phrase
complicar as coisas
1. to create unnecessary difficulty or confusion in a situation that could be simple
Why do you always have to make it complicated? Just tell me yes or no.
Por que você sempre tem que complicar as coisas? Apenas diga sim ou não.
2. to introduce complexities or additional problems to a straightforward matter
She tends to make it complicated when dealing with simple decisions.
Ela tende a complicar as coisas quando se trata de decisões simples.
3. to make a relationship or personal situation more difficult than necessary
They decided to make it complicated after years of friendship.
Eles decidiram complicar tudo após anos de amizade.
This phrase is commonly used in both American and Brazilian English/Portuguese to express frustration with unnecessary complications. In Brazil, it reflects a cultural preference for directness and pragmatism. The phrase gained popular usage in English through social media and dating culture (e.g., 'it's complicated' as a relationship status). In Portuguese-speaking contexts, similar frustration is expressed with 'complicar tudo' or 'complicar as coisas', often used in personal relationships and work environments.
NYC Slang
make it messy; drama; turn it into a whole thing
Synonyms / Sinônimos
make it difficultovercomplicatemake it messycreate dramamuddy the waters
Antonyms / Antônimos
keep it simplesimplifymake it easyclarify

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
complicar as coisas
most common translation used in everyday Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
complicar tudo
informal variant, more colloquial usage
São Paulo
complicar as coisas
standard usage in business and formal contexts
Portugal
complicar as coisas
same usage as Brazilian Portuguese, though less frequently used in casual speech

Related Words

complicatedcomplexitysimplicitystraightforwardmessdrama

Related Idioms & Phrases

make a mountain out of a molehill
blow things out of proportion
create drama out of nothing
turn a simple thing into a mess
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