soft-soap

• Jemanden durch schmeichelnde, oft unaufrichtige Worte zu etwas bewegen oder ihn günstig stimmen wollen.

A phrasal verb meaning to flatter or persuade someone with smooth, insincere talk.

unzählbar · transitiv · Phrasal, untrennbar

1. Persuade through flatteryinformal

   To try to persuade someone by using flattery or smooth, pleasing talk.

   Einseifen

   • He tried to soft-soap his boss into giving him a raise.
   • She soft-soaped the client with compliments before asking for the contract.
   • Don't try to soft-soap me; just tell me the truth.

   Synonymeblandishblarneybutter upcajolecoaxflatterinveiglesweet-talkwheedle

2. Use flattering talkinformal

   To speak to someone in a very flattering or ingratiating way, often to gain an advantage.

   Schmeicheln

   • The salesman soft-soaped the customer into buying an expensive car.
   • They soft-soaped the committee members to get their approval.
   • I can't stand it when people soft-soap me just to get a favor.

   Synonymeblarneybutter upcajolefawnflattersweet-talktoadywheedle

Grundverbsoft-soap

Phrasal-Variantensoft-soap