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undermine the primary objective

[ˌʌndərˈmaɪn ðə ˈpraɪmeri əbˈdʒektɪv]
verb phrase
minar o objetivo principal
1. To weaken, damage, or sabotage the main goal or purpose of something
Frequent delays undermine the primary objective of delivering quality service on time.
Atrasos frequentes minam o objetivo principal de entregar um serviço de qualidade no prazo.
2. To gradually reduce the effectiveness or credibility of a main aim
Budget cuts undermine the primary objective of expanding educational access.
Cortes orçamentários minam o objetivo principal de expandir o acesso à educação.
Synonyms
sabotage the main goalcompromise the primary aimweaken the chief objectivejeopardize the main purposeerode the primary goal
Antonyms
support the primary objectivestrengthen the main goalpromote the chief aimadvance the primary purpose

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
minar o objetivo principal
Most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
minar o objetivo principal / sabotar o alvo principal
Both expressions used interchangeably
São Paulo
minar o objetivo principal / comprometer o objetivo principal
Business and formal contexts prefer these terms
Portugal
minar o objetivo principal / prejudicar o propósito principal
Portuguese preference for 'prejudicar' in some contexts

Related Idioms & Phrases

cut the ground from under someone's feet
pull the rug out from under someone
throw a wrench in the works
shoot oneself in the foot
minar a base de algo
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