sofisma, objeção trivial, discrepância pequena
1. A noun: a trivial objection or complaint; a petty argument about something of little importance
He raised a quibble about the wording of the contract.
Ele levantou uma objeção trivial sobre a redação do contrato.
2. A noun: an evasive or ambiguous response; a play on words
The lawyer's answer was full of quibbles and avoided the main point.
A resposta do advogado estava cheia de sofismas e evitava o ponto principal.
3. A verb: to make trivial or petty objections; to argue about minor details
Don't quibble over the small differences; let's focus on the big picture.
Não discuta sobre pequenas diferenças; vamos focar na visão geral.
4. A verb: to use equivocal language; to evade the point by playing with words
Stop quibbling and give me a straight answer!
Pare de usar sofismas e me dê uma resposta direta!
In American business and legal contexts, 'quibble' is commonly used to dismiss minor objections. In Brazilian Portuguese, it translates best as 'sofisma' or 'objeção trivial,' reflecting the same sense of petty argumentation. The word carries a slightly pejorative tone in both English and Portuguese, suggesting someone is being unnecessarily difficult or evasive about minor points.
NYC Slang
nitpicking, being petty, splitting hairs
Related Idioms & Phrases
without quibble - sem objeção, sem discordância
quibble over/about something - discutir sobre algo trivial
quibble away - evadir-se através de sofismas
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →