View synonyms for

soft soap

noun

Informal.��persuasive talk; flattery.
to use soft soap to get one's way.
the semifluid soap produced when potassium hydroxide is used in the saponification of a fat or an oil.

soft-soap

[sawft-sohp, soft-]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

Informal.��to cajole; flatter.
to apply soft soap to.

verb (used without object)

to use soft soap in washing.

soft soap

noun

med another name for green soap
informal��flattering, persuasive, or cajoling talk

verb

informal��to use such talk on (a person)

soft soap

Flattery: “Mary asked the boss to stop giving her a lot of soft soap about her performance and to start leveling with her like any other employee.”

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of soft soap¹

First recorded in 1625–35

Origin of soft soap²

First recorded in 1820–30

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

Flattery, cajolery, as in She's only six but she's learned how to get her way with soft soap. This colloquial expression alludes to liquid soap, likening its slippery quality to insincere flattery. Its figurative use was first recorded in 1830.

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“Let us then discuss the value of soft soap on complexions — and husbands. … We shall sit together on the edge of the world. You have wanted a friend. I’M IT.”

From

Founder and creative director Joy Cho’s lifestyle brand offers whimsical products, spanning bandages to soft soap, as well as regular editorial content online.

From

Founder and Creative Director Joy Cho’s lifestyle brand offers whimsical products, spanning Band-Aids to soft soap as well as regular editorial content online.

From

I just buy the real soft soap and then mix it with water and refill this.

From

Hard and soft soaps are each produced differently.

From

soft skills soft-soaper

Browse