trifling reason

[/ˈtrɪflɪŋ ˈriːzən/]
noun phrasepl: trifling reasons
razão trivial; motivo insignificante
1. a reason or justification that is of little importance, value, or consequence; a minor or insignificant cause
He abandoned the project for a trifling reason, disappointing everyone.
Ele abandonou o projeto por uma razão trivial, decepcionando a todos.
2. a petty or frivolous excuse offered to explain an action or decision
She rejected his proposal for a trifling reason that could have been easily resolved.
Ela rejeitou sua proposta por um motivo insignificante que poderia ter sido facilmente resolvido.
This phrase is commonly used in both American and Brazilian English contexts to express dismissal or criticism of someone's justification for an action. In Brazil, it reflects cultural values around substantive reasoning, while in the USA it often appears in business or interpersonal contexts to challenge weak arguments. The expression suggests that the speaker finds the offered explanation inadequate or unconvincing.
NYC Slang
weak excuse; BS reason
Synonyms / Sinônimos
petty reasonfrivolous reasonminor reasonslight reasontrivial excuseflimsy excuse
Antonyms / Antônimos
substantial reasonimportant reasonvalid reasoncompelling reasonsignificant cause

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
razão trivial; motivo insignificante
most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
motivo fútil; razão boba
more colloquial, emphatic usage
São Paulo
razão trivial; motivo irrelevante
formal and business context usage
Portugal
razão insignificante; motivo banal
European Portuguese preference for 'banal' over 'trivial'

Related Words

trifletrivialinsignificantpettyfrivolousnegligiblejustificationpretext

Related Idioms & Phrases

for no good reason
on a whim
for kicks
much ado about nothing
make a mountain out of a molehill
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