sprinkle haphazardly

[SPRING-kul HAP-uh-zard-lee]
verb phrase
polvilhar ao acaso
1. to scatter or distribute something in small amounts in a random, disorganized, or unplanned manner
She sprinkled the sugar haphazardly over the dessert without measuring.
Ela polvilhou o açúcar ao acaso sobre a sobremesa sem medir.
2. to distribute things unevenly or carelessly without following a pattern
The confetti was sprinkled haphazardly across the ballroom floor.
O confete foi polvilhado ao acaso pelo piso do salão de baile.
This phrase is frequently used in cooking contexts in both Brazilian and American English. In Brazil, it describes a casual, home-cooking approach, while in the USA it may imply either a relaxed style or a lack of precision. The concept reflects a distinction between precise baking and more flexible cooking methods.
NYC Slang
throw it around
Synonyms / Sinônimos
scatter randomlydistribute carelesslystrew haphazardlysprinkle randomlytoss about
Antonyms / Antônimos
distribute evenlyarrange systematicallyorganize carefullyplace methodically

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
polvilhar ao acaso
most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
jogar ao acaso
more colloquial alternative
São Paulo
polvilhar aleatoriamente
slightly more formal
Portugal
polvilhar desordenadamente
European Portuguese preference

Related Words

sprinklehaphazardscatterdistributedispersardesorganizadoao acaso

Related Idioms & Phrases

scatter to the four winds
toss about like confetti
spread willy-nilly
do it any old way
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