World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English Dictionaries甜言蜜语
Pronunciation / Transliteration: tián yán mì yǔ
"他试图用甜言蜜语来说服经理想法。"
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
To persuade or influence someone by flattery, smooth talk, or cajolery.
"He tried to soft-soap the manager into giving him an extension on the project deadline."
- 1
Flattery or persuasive talk intended to coax or deceive.
"She saw right through his soft-soap and demanded a straightforward answer."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the literal noun referring to a semi-fluid potassium soap, the term evolved in mid-19th-century American English as a metaphorical idiom. It plays on the slippery, smooth texture of liquid soap to describe the act of applying smooth, flattering words to persuade or manipulate someone.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Soft-soap"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Soft-soap" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
amadouer
Transliteration: /a.ma.dwe/
"Il a essayé d'amadouer le directeur avec des compliments."
schmeicheln
Transliteration: /ˈʃmaɪ̯çln̩/
"Er versuchte, den Vorgesetzten zu schmeicheln."
adescare
Transliteration: /a.deˈska.re/
"Ha cercato di blandire il capo con belle parole."
lamer la suela
Transliteration: /laˈmeɾ la ˈswe.la/
"Intentó adular al jefe para conseguir el puesto."
lisonjear
Transliteration: /li.zõ.ʒeˈaɾ/
"Ele tentou adular o gerente para obter vantagens."
चापलूसी करना
Transliteration: chaploosi karna
"उसने प्रबंधक की चापलूसी करने की कोशिश की।"
甜言蜜语
Transliteration: tián yán mì yǔ
"他试图用甜言蜜语来说服经理想法。"
감언이설로 꾀다
Transliteration: gam-eon-i-seol-ro kkoeda
"그는 관리자를 감언이설로 설득하려고 했다."
お世辞を言う
Transliteration: oseji o iu
"彼は部長をお世辞で丸め込もうとした。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
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