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working halfheartedly

[WER-king HAF-har-tid-lee]
verb phrase
trabalhar sem entusiasmo
1. performing work or labor with little enthusiasm, effort, or commitment; doing a job in a desultory or unenthusiastic manner
He was working halfheartedly on the project, clearly not interested in the outcome.
Ele estava trabalhando sem entusiasmo no projeto, claramente desinteressado no resultado.
2. engaging in an activity with lack of conviction or full participation
She worked halfheartedly at her studies while daydreaming about the weekend.
Ela estudava sem entusiasmo enquanto sonhava acordada com o fim de semana.
NYC Slang
phoning it in
Synonyms
working listlesslyworking unenthusiasticallyworking half-heartedlygoing through the motionsworking reluctantlyworking apathetically
Antonyms
working wholeheartedlyworking enthusiasticallyworking diligentlyworking passionatelyworking with dedication

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
trabalhar sem entusiasmo
Most common expression in Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
trabalhar de meia boca
Colloquial expression meaning literally 'work with half mouth'
São Paulo
trabalhar meia boca / trabalhar sem vontade
Both expressions are commonly used in São Paulo
Portugal
trabalhar com falta de entusiasmo
More formal expression preferred in European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

half-hearted effort
going through the motions
putting in minimal effort
working with one eye closed
meia boca (Brazilian)
não meter a alma no trabalho (Portuguese)
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