caresser dans le sens du poil

French

Etymology

Literally, “to stroke in the direction of the fur”.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ka.ʁɛ.se dɑ̃ l(ə) sɑ̃s dy pwal/ ~ /ka.ʁe.se dɑ̃ l(ə) sɑ̃s dy pwal/
  • Audio (Paris):(file)

Verb

caresser dans le sens du poil

  1. (transitive, figuratively) to butter up, to soft-soap

Usage notes

For a similar image, compare the antonymous English idiom to rub the wrong way.

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