meager compensation

[ˈmiːɡər ˌkɒmpənˈseɪʃən]
noun phrasepl: meager compensations
compensação insuficiente
1. Payment or reward that is inadequate, insufficient, or disappointing in relation to the effort, loss, or work involved
After working overtime for months, the employees received only meager compensation for their extra hours.
Depois de trabalhar horas extras por meses, os funcionários receberam apenas uma compensação insuficiente pelas horas adicionais.
2. A small or scanty amount given as payment or reparation
The victims felt the settlement was meager compensation for the damage caused.
As vítimas sentiram que o acordo era uma compensação magra pelo dano causado.
This phrase is commonly used in labor disputes, legal settlements, and workplace complaints in both American and Brazilian contexts. In Brazil, it reflects concerns about fair labor practices and worker rights, while in the USA it frequently appears in litigation and employment discussions. The term conveys both economic and emotional dissatisfaction.
NYC Slang
chump change compensation / pocket lint pay
Synonyms / Sinônimos
inadequate compensationinsufficient paypittancepaltry paymentscanty rewardminimal compensation
Antonyms / Antônimos
generous compensationadequate payfair compensationsubstantial rewardlucrative payment

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
compensação insuficiente
Most common and standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
pagamento magro
Colloquial variant using 'magro' (thin/meager)
São Paulo
remuneração inadequada
More formal, business-oriented usage
Portugal
compensação escassa
Portuguese variant using 'escassa' (scarce)

Related Words

meagercompensationinadequateinsufficientremunerationpaymentsalarywage

Related Idioms & Phrases

a drop in the bucket
not worth your salt
paid in peanuts
robbed blind
short-changed
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