não fazer força

You use it just like a regular verb phrase. You can talk about yourself or others. If your friend is failing a class because they don't study, they are não fazendo força. If you win a game too easily, you might say you didn't even have to fazer força. It is very versatile. Just conjugate the verb fazer to fit the person you are talking about.

Use it when you feel frustrated by someone's lack of initiative. It is perfect for complaining about a lazy coworker. You can also use it in sports. If a team wins without trying, this is the phrase. Use it in texts to joke with friends about their laziness. It works well in casual conversations over coffee or beer.

Don't use this in a formal performance review with your boss. It sounds a bit too blunt and informal. Avoid it if someone is actually trying but failing. That would be quite mean! Also, don't use it for physical strength only. It is mostly about mental or general effort. If someone is literally weak, use different words.

Brazilians and Portuguese people value hard work, but they also love 'jeitinho.' However, não fazer força is usually a critique. It implies a lack of passion or interest. In a culture that is often very social and energetic, being someone who 'doesn't make force' is seen as being a bit of a 'cold fish' or unmotivated. It’s the opposite of being a 'go-getter.'

You might hear não se esforçar, which is more formal. Another common one is não mexer uma palha. That means 'not moving a straw.' It is even more dramatic than não fazer força. If you want to be very informal, you can say someone is na maciota. That means they are taking it way too easy.