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ENGLISH
PORTUGUESE LINGUISTICS & CULTURE |
Autor: | Dale-USA |
E-mail: | dale_thomas2004@yahoo.com.br |
Data: | 07/AGO/2012 3:43 PM |
Assunto: | Metaphors |
Mensagem: |
The position of the lips. LOL I'd say they are the same.The usual context is that the person receiving the attention has a superior position or power (a boss, a supervisor, a higher rank) and the person giving the attention wants something from him/her. There is also "to butter up". This expression is more accepted, gives a less negative image, etc. It's amazing how expressions have shades of meaning, are associated with various things, are suitable for some situations but not others, etc. If I wanted to accuse someone of "sweet talking me" (yet another expression with a similar meaning), I would only use "to suck up" or "to kiss up" in the presence of friends, other equals, or possibly someone I had no reason to respect. Otherwise, I would use "to butter up" or "to sweet talk". For example, I would tell your sister "Josi has been kissing up/sucking up to me again", but to your mother I would tell your mother or uncle "Josi has been buttering me up/sweet talking me again." Capisci? |