wave it off

[/weɪv ɪt ɔːf/]
verb phrase
descartar com um gesto; ignorar; minimizar
1. To dismiss something or someone with a hand gesture, indicating it is not important or not wanted
When I tried to apologize, he just waved it off and said it was no big deal.
Quando tentei me desculpar, ele simplesmente descartou com um gesto e disse que não era grande coisa.
2. To refuse something casually or nonchalantly, often by making a dismissive gesture
She waved off the dessert menu, saying she was already full.
Ela descartou o cardápio de sobremesa, dizendo que já estava satisfeita.
3. To downplay or minimize the importance of something
He waved off her concerns about the project deadline.
Ele minimizou as preocupações dela sobre o prazo do projeto.
This phrase is commonly used in both American and Brazilian English to express casual dismissal. In Brazil, the hand gesture that accompanies this phrase is culturally significant and often involves a flicking motion of the fingers or wrist. It conveys informality and is frequently used in everyday interactions, particularly among younger people and in informal settings.
NYC Slang
fuggedaboutit; forget about it
Synonyms / Sinônimos
dismissbrush offshrug offdisregardignoreminimize
Antonyms / Antônimos
acknowledgeacceptembracewelcometake seriously

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
descartar com um gesto; dar um jeito; minimizar
Commonly used in casual conversation across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
dar um jeito; mandar embora
Often used with more emphatic gestures in informal speech
São Paulo
descartar; ignorar
More formal usage in business contexts
Portugal
afastar com um gesto; descartar
Less commonly used; Portuguese speakers may use 'despedir-se com um gesto' more frequently

Related Words

gesturedismissrejecttrivializehand motion

Related Idioms & Phrases

brush off
shake off
give someone the brush-off
wave someone away
dismiss with a wave
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