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tenuous tie

[ˈtɛn.ju.əs taɪ]
noun phrasepl: tenuous ties
ligação tênue
1. a weak, fragile, or barely existing connection or relationship between two people or things
The tenuous tie between the two companies dissolved after the scandal.
A ligação tênue entre as duas empresas se dissolveu após o escândalo.
2. a connection that is easily broken or difficult to maintain
They maintained only a tenuous tie despite being relatives.
Eles mantinham apenas uma ligação tênue apesar de serem parentes.
Synonyms
weak connectionfragile linkslender threadloose connectionthin bond
Antonyms
strong tiefirm bondsolid connectionunbreakable link

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ligação tênue
Standard usage in contemporary Brazilian Portuguese
São Paulo
ligação frágil
Common alternative in São Paulo region
Portugal
ligação ténue
Portuguese spelling with accent; used in formal contexts

Related Idioms & Phrases

hang by a thread
a loose thread
barely holding together
on shaky ground
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