weak try

[/wiːk traɪ/]
noun phrasepl: weak tries
tentativa fraca
1. An attempt or effort that lacks strength, conviction, or adequate commitment; a feeble or insufficient effort
His weak try at apologizing didn't convince anyone that he was sorry.
Sua tentativa fraca de se desculpar não convenceu ninguém de que ele estava arrependido.
2. In rugby, a score worth four points, but executed with poor technique or minimal resistance
The winger scored a weak try despite the opposing defense not putting up much of a fight.
O ala marcou um ensaio fraco apesar da defesa adversária não oferecer muita resistência.
3. A half-hearted or unconvincing attempt to accomplish something
That was a weak try for the promotion; you should have shown more initiative.
Essa foi uma tentativa fraca pela promoção; você deveria ter mostrado mais iniciativa.
In American sports culture, particularly rugby and American football, 'weak try' is used to critique both technique and determination. In Brazil, the phrase 'tentativa fraca' is commonly used in casual contexts to describe any lacklustre effort in work, school, or sports. The term carries mild criticism but is not as severe as describing something as a complete failure.
NYC Slang
wimpy attempt / pathetic try
Synonyms / Sinônimos
feeble attempthalf-hearted effortpoor attemptfeeble tryweak attemptlacklustre effort
Antonyms / Antônimos
strong tryvaliant effortearnest attemptsincere effortdetermined try

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
tentativa fraca
Standard term used across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
tentativa mole
Colloquial variation, often used in casual speech
São Paulo
tentativa sem força
More formal variation common in business context
Portugal
tentativa fraca / ensaio fraco (rugby)
Similar usage; 'ensaio' specifically for rugby context

Related Words

attempteffortendeavortrycommitmenthalf-heartedfeebleconviction

Related Idioms & Phrases

not even a try
go the distance
give it your all
put in the effort
half-baked attempt
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