unlikely response
[/ʌnˈlaɪkli rɪˈspɑːns/]
noun phrasepl: unlikely responses
resposta improvável
1. A reply or reaction that is not expected or probable; an answer that surprises or defies expectations
His unlikely response to the criticism was to thank them for their feedback.
Sua resposta improvável à crítica foi agradecê-los pelo feedback.
2. In technical contexts, a system or program output that does not match anticipated behavior
The server returned an unlikely response when we submitted the form.
O servidor retornou uma resposta improvável quando enviamos o formulário.
In both American and Brazilian contexts, an 'unlikely response' often implies surprise or conversational disruption. In Brazilian business culture, such responses might be softened with cushioning phrases like 'Surpreendentemente' (surprisingly) or 'Contra todas as expectativas' (against all expectations).
NYC Slang
out-of-left-field response
Related Idioms & Phrases
caught off guard with an unlikely response
an unlikely response that threw everyone for a loop
against all odds response
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