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pretend to try
[/prɪˈtɛnd tu traɪ/]
verb phrase
fingir tentar
1.
to make a false show of attempting something; to feign effort without genuine intent
He was just pretending to try to fix the car when he didn't know anything about engines.
Ele estava apenas fingindo tentar consertar o carro quando não sabia nada sobre motores.
2.
to simulate the appearance of making an effort while having no real commitment to success
She pretended to try studying for the exam but spent most of the time on her phone.
Ela fingiu tentar estudar para o exame, mas passou a maior parte do tempo no celular.
NYC Slang
frontin' like you're tryin'
Synonyms
fake an attempt
simulate effort
go through the motions
make a show of trying
Antonyms
genuinely attempt
make a real effort
earnestly try
sincerely endeavor
Regional Variations
General Brazilian
fingir tentar
most common usage
São Paulo
fingir tentar / fazer de conta que está tentando
colloquial variation
Portugal
fingir tentar / aparentar esforço
formal and colloquial usage
Related Idioms & Phrases
go through the motions
put on an act
fake it
half-hearted attempt
half-ass effort
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