dar jabón: meaning & examples

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Language: Spanish

Meanings:

  • 2.

    SpaininformalMachine
    • To polish, gloss over, or otherwise try to make something appear better than it really is; to give superficial improvement or spin.

    Examples

    Beta
    • El político dio jabón a su imagen pública, pero no cumplió ninguna promesa.

      The politician glossed over his public image, but didn't fulfill any promises.

    • No dejes que te den jabón con esas ofertas que suenan demasiado buenas para ser verdad.

      Don't let them polish things over with those offers that sound too good to be true.

    • La empresa intentó dar jabón al informe para que pareciera que los resultados eran mejores.

      The company tried to gloss over the report to make the results look better.

  • 1.

    SpainLatin AmericainformalMachine
    • To flatter someone excessively or insincerely in order to gain favor or achieve a purpose.

    Examples

    Beta
    • Carlos siempre le da jabón al jefe para que le apruebe los días libres.

      Carlos always flatters the boss to get his days off approved.

    • No me gusta cuando me dan jabón, prefiero que me digan la verdad sin rodeos.

      I don't like it when they flatter me; I prefer to be told the truth straight.

    • Si quieres que te ayuden, tendrás que dar jabón un poco, pero sin exagerar.

      If you want them to help you, you'll have to flatter a little, but not too much.

Examples:

  • ES: Ah, abuelo: más vale dar jabón en seco que renegar bajo esta lluvia.
    EN: O nuncle, court holy water in a dry house is better than this rain-water out o' doors.
  • ES: La llamaremos "dar jabón, pulir mierda".
    EN: Today we call it "soap on, crap off."

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Source: Wiktionary