Definition

1. Noun:
   • A soft (or liquid) soap made from vegetable oils: A type of soap with a soft or liquid consistency, historically used for cleaning and in treating certain skin conditions.
   • Flattery designed to gain favor: Insincere, smooth, and persuasive praise or compliments intended to manipulate someone or win their approval.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Soap):

  • The doctor recommended a gentle soft soap for the eczema.
  • Traditional soft soap was often made from potash and animal fats.

• Noun (Flattery):

  • He wasn't fooled by their soft soap; he knew they just wanted his vote.
  • The salesperson's soft soap was transparent, but she still enjoyed the compliments.

Advanced Usage

• "to soft-soap (someone)": This is the verb form, meaning to use flattery or smooth talk on someone to persuade them.
  • He tried to soft-soap the manager into giving him the day off.
  • Don't think you can soft-soap me with empty promises.

Variants and Related Words

• Soft-soap (verb): To flatter or coax someone with smooth, persuasive talk.
  • She has a talent for soft-soaping difficult clients.

Synonyms

• Flattery: Excessive and insincere praise.
• Blarney (informal): Smooth, flattering talk.
• Cajolery: Persuasion by flattery or gentle pleading.
• Sweet talk (informal): Insincerely affectionate or flattering speech.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• To butter up (someone): To flatter someone excessively, similar to "soft-soap."
  • He's just buttering up the boss before asking for a raise.

Related Idioms

• To lay it on thick: To exaggerate praise or flattery excessively.
  • He was laying the flattery on thick, calling her a genius for a simple task.

Noun

1. a soft (or liquid) soap made from vegetable oils; used in certain skin diseases
2. flattery designed to gain favor