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undermine the main purpose

[/ˌʌndərˈmaɪn ðə meɪn ˈpɜrpəs/]
verb phrase
comprometer o objetivo principal
1. to weaken or damage the main goal or intention of something; to sabotage or obstruct the primary aim
Using poor quality materials will undermine the main purpose of building a durable structure.
Usar materiais de baixa qualidade comprometerá o objetivo principal de construir uma estrutura durável.
2. to gradually erode or diminish the effectiveness of the principal objective
Constant interruptions undermine the main purpose of our team meetings.
Interrupções constantes comprometem o objetivo principal de nossas reuniões de equipe.
NYC Slang
mess up the main goal
Synonyms
sabotage the main goalthwart the primary objectiveobstruct the main aimweaken the primary purposefrustrate the main intent
Antonyms
support the main purposeadvance the primary objectivestrengthen the main goalpromote the principal aim

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
comprometer o objetivo principal
most common and widely understood
Rio de Janeiro
sabotar o objetivo principal
emphasizes deliberate action
São Paulo
minar o propósito principal
more formal, business context
Portugal
minar o objetivo principal
preferred in European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

cut off one's nose to spite one's face
shoot oneself in the foot
work against oneself
defeat the purpose
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