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refine things

[rɪˈfaɪn θɪŋz]
verb phrase
aperfeiçoar coisas; refinar coisas
1. To improve something by making small changes or adjustments to make it better, more precise, or more elegant
We need to refine things before presenting to the board.
Precisamos aperfeiçoar as coisas antes de apresentar ao conselho.
2. To remove impurities or unwanted elements from something
The chef will refine things in the recipe to enhance the flavor.
O chef vai refinar as coisas na receita para realçar o sabor.
3. To develop or perfect a skill, process, or technique through practice and improvement
The team continues to refine things in their strategy.
O time continua a aperfeiçoar as coisas em sua estratégia.
NYC Slang
clean things up; tighten things up
Synonyms
improveperfectpolishenhancedevelophone
Antonyms
worsendegradediminishspoil

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
aperfeiçoar coisas; refinar coisas
Most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese
São Paulo
melhorar as coisas; ajustar as coisas
Common colloquial variation
Portugal
aperfeiçoar coisas; melhorar coisas
European Portuguese preference for 'melhorar' in casual contexts

Related Idioms & Phrases

put the finishing touches on
fine-tune
polish up
work out the kinks
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