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suppress one's abilities

[/səˈprɛs wʌnz əˈbɪlɪtiz/]
verb phrase
reprimir suas habilidades
1. To intentionally hold back, restrain, or prevent oneself from expressing or using one's skills, talents, or capabilities
She decided to suppress her abilities in order to fit in with her peers.
Ela decidiu reprimir suas habilidades para se encaixar com seus colegas.
2. To deliberately conceal or inhibit one's natural talents or potential
He suppressed his abilities as a musician because he wanted to pursue a different career.
Ele reprimiu suas habilidades como músico porque queria seguir uma carreira diferente.
NYC Slang
keep your game on the low / don't flex
Synonyms
hold back one's abilitiesinhibit one's talentsrestrain one's capabilitiesconceal one's skillsstifle one's potential
Antonyms
unleash one's abilitiesdevelop one's talentsexpress one's capabilitiesshowcase one's skillsmaximize one's potential

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
reprimir suas habilidades
Standard usage across Brazil
São Paulo
abafar suas habilidades
Common colloquial variant meaning 'to smother' one's abilities
Portugal
suprimir as suas capacidades
More formal usage, using 'capacidades' instead of 'habilidades'

Related Idioms & Phrases

hide one's light under a bushel
play it cool
play down one's strengths
keep one's talent under wraps
downplay one's abilities
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