noun/adjective phrasepl: thin spreads
camada fina; cobertura rala
1. A layer or application of a substance that is sparse, not dense, or minimal in quantity
The butter was applied in a thin spread across the toast.
A manteiga foi aplicada em uma camada fina sobre o pão torrado.
2. Resources, attention, or effort distributed sparsely across many areas rather than concentrated
The company's budget is spread thin across too many departments.
O orçamento da empresa está distribuído de forma rala entre muitos departamentos.
3. A financial or business arrangement with minimal profit margins
The margins on this product are a thin spread, making it difficult to profit.
As margens deste produto são muito finas, dificultando a obtenção de lucro.
In Brazilian and American business contexts, 'thin spread' often refers to financial constraints or overextended resources. In culinary contexts in both countries, it describes a minimal application of spreads like butter, jam, or peanut butter. The phrase 'spread thin' is particularly common in discussing work-life balance and resource management in contemporary American English.
NYC Slang
stretched thin; shoestring operation (when referring to resources)
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