| Library / English Dictionary |
SOFT-SOAP
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (verb)
Verb forms
Present simple: I / you / we / they soft-soap ... he / she / it soft-soaps
Past simple: soft-soaped
Past participle: soft-soaped
-ing form: soft-soaping
Sense 1
Meaning:
Use flattering talk on somebody
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Hypernyms (to "soft-soap" is one way to...):
blandish; flatter (praise somewhat dishonestly)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody
Sentence example:
Sam and Sue soft-soap
Sense 2
Meaning:
Persuade someone through flattery
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Hypernyms (to "soft-soap" is one way to...):
blarney; cajole; coax; inveigle; palaver; sweet-talk; wheedle (influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody
Sentence example:
They soft-soap him into writing the letter
