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try without conviction

[traɪ wɪðˈaʊt kənˈvɪkʃən]
verb phrase
tentar sem convicção
1. to make an effort or attempt at something while lacking belief in success or commitment to the outcome
He tried without conviction to fix the broken car, knowing he lacked the necessary skills.
Ele tentou sem convicção consertar o carro quebrado, sabendo que lhe faltavam as habilidades necessárias.
2. to go through the motions of attempting something without genuine enthusiasm or determination
She was trying without conviction to learn French, but her heart wasn't really in it.
Ela estava tentando sem convicção aprender francês, mas seu coração não estava realmente nisso.
NYC Slang
phoning it in
Synonyms
half-heartedly attemptmake a token effortfeebly trygo through the motions
Antonyms
try with convictionattempt wholeheartedlymake a determined effort

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
tentar sem convicção
Standard usage throughout Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
tentar meio desanimado
Colloquial variation emphasizing lack of enthusiasm
São Paulo
fazer uma tentativa morna
More formal, business-oriented usage
Portugal
tentar sem convicção
Standard European Portuguese equivalent

Related Idioms & Phrases

half-hearted attempt
go through the motions
make a token effort
lack of conviction
without commitment
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