In 15 Sekunden
- Used when someone is being extra nice to get a favor.
- Comes from the idea of polishing someone's shoes for a tip.
- Common in offices, schools, and casual social settings.
Bedeutung
Imagine someone trying to get on your good side by being overly nice or complimentary. It's that specific brand of flattery used to gain a favor or avoid trouble.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Observing a classmate with a teacher
O João está sempre a dar graxa ao professor para ter boas notas.
João is always buttering up the teacher to get good grades.
At the office after a meeting
Não vale a pena dares graxa à patroa, ela já decidiu.
It's no use sucking up to the boss, she's already decided.
Texting a friend about a sibling
O meu irmão está a dar graxa aos meus pais porque quer o carro.
My brother is sucking up to my parents because he wants the car.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'engraxador' culture was very strong in Lisbon's Chiado and Rossio districts. It was a social hub where news and gossip were exchanged while shoes were shined. While 'dar graxa' is understood, 'puxar o saco' is the essential term. The term 'puxa-saco' is so common it's used in professional HR discussions about office environment. In African Lusophone countries, the term is also used, often reflecting the colonial-era hierarchies where local workers had to flatter overseers. There is a cultural concept called 'cunha' (influence). 'Dar graxa' is often the first step in building the relationship needed to get a 'cunha'.
Watch the Preposition
Always use 'dar graxa A alguém'. Don't forget to contract the 'a' with the article (ao, à, aos, às).
Don't Overuse It
Calling someone an 'engraxador' is a bit of an insult. Use it about yourself jokingly, but be careful using it about others.
In 15 Sekunden
- Used when someone is being extra nice to get a favor.
- Comes from the idea of polishing someone's shoes for a tip.
- Common in offices, schools, and casual social settings.
What It Means
Dar graxa is the Portuguese way of saying someone is 'sucking up' or 'buttering someone up.' Think of it like polishing someone's shoes until they shine. You aren't just being nice. You are being strategically nice. It implies a bit of insincerity. You want something from the person you are praising. It’s common in offices, schools, or even at home with parents.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb phrase. The person receiving the flattery is preceded by the word a. For example, Ele está a dar graxa ao chefe. You can also call someone a graxista. That is the noun for a 'brown-noser.' It’s a very flexible expression. You can use it to tease a friend. You can also use it to complain about a colleague.
When To Use It
Use it when you spot someone being suspiciously helpful. Use it when your sibling suddenly washes the dishes before asking for money. It’s perfect for office water-cooler talk. 'Did you see how much graxa he gave the manager?' It works well in casual conversations. It adds a bit of color to your descriptions of social dynamics. It’s great for lighthearted accusations among friends too.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this in a formal performance review. It is too informal for official HR documents. Avoid using it if someone is being genuinely kind. If a friend helps you move, they aren't dar graxa. They are just being a good friend. Using it there might actually hurt their feelings. Also, avoid it in very high-stakes professional negotiations. It can sound a bit childish or unprofessional in those settings.
Cultural Background
The phrase comes from the old tradition of shoeshiners. To get a bigger tip, they would put extra effort into the 'graxa' (polish). They would make those shoes sparkle to please the customer. Over time, the physical act of polishing became a metaphor for verbal polishing. In Portugal, people value authenticity. Calling out graxa is a way of keeping social interactions honest. It’s a very common part of the Portuguese social vocabulary.
Common Variations
In Brazil, you are more likely to hear puxar o saco. That literally means 'to pull the bag.' It’s much more common there. In Portugal, you might also hear lamber as botas. That means 'to lick the boots.' That one is much stronger and more insulting. Dar graxa is the middle-ground option. It’s descriptive but not necessarily a friendship-ender. Stick with dar graxa for a safe, idiomatic choice in Lisbon or Porto.
Nutzungshinweise
Mainly used in Portugal. It sits in the informal register, perfect for social commentary or teasing, but should be avoided in formal business correspondence.
Watch the Preposition
Always use 'dar graxa A alguém'. Don't forget to contract the 'a' with the article (ao, à, aos, às).
Don't Overuse It
Calling someone an 'engraxador' is a bit of an insult. Use it about yourself jokingly, but be careful using it about others.
The Brazilian Switch
If you are moving between Portugal and Brazil, practice switching to 'puxar o saco' instantly to sound more native.
Beispiele
6O João está sempre a dar graxa ao professor para ter boas notas.
João is always buttering up the teacher to get good grades.
Classic school context where flattery is used for gain.
Não vale a pena dares graxa à patroa, ela já decidiu.
It's no use sucking up to the boss, she's already decided.
Used to point out the futility of insincere praise.
O meu irmão está a dar graxa aos meus pais porque quer o carro.
My brother is sucking up to my parents because he wants the car.
Very common family dynamic usage.
Para de me dar graxa! O que é que tu queres agora?
Stop flattering me! What do you want now?
Humorous way to call out a friend's suspicious kindness.
Ele é um graxista de primeira, irrita toda a gente.
He is a first-class brown-noser, he annoys everyone.
Using the noun form 'graxista' to describe a person's character.
Não é graxa, mas tu és mesmo o melhor colega que já tive.
It's not flattery, but you really are the best colleague I've ever had.
Using the term to emphasize that your praise is actually genuine.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'dar graxa'.
Ontem, o meu colega ______ ao patrão durante duas horas.
The sentence starts with 'Ontem' (Yesterday), so we need the Pretérito Perfeito (Past Simple) form of 'dar'.
Which situation best describes 'dar graxa'?
Choose the correct scenario:
'Dar graxa' involves insincere flattery for a specific benefit.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: 'O que achaste do elogio do Rui à diretora?' B: 'Acho que ele só estava a ______.'
The correct idiomatic verb is 'dar'.
Match the phrase to the most likely target.
If you are 'dar graxa', who are you most likely talking to?
The idiom usually implies a hierarchy where the flatterer wants something from someone in power.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Regional Differences
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenOntem, o meu colega ______ ao patrão durante duas horas.
The sentence starts with 'Ontem' (Yesterday), so we need the Pretérito Perfeito (Past Simple) form of 'dar'.
Choose the correct scenario:
'Dar graxa' involves insincere flattery for a specific benefit.
A: 'O que achaste do elogio do Rui à diretora?' B: 'Acho que ele só estava a ______.'
The correct idiomatic verb is 'dar'.
If you are 'dar graxa', who are you most likely talking to?
The idiom usually implies a hierarchy where the flatterer wants something from someone in power.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it's informal but not vulgar. You can use it with friends and family without any problem.
Yes, it's a verbal phrase. 'Ela dá graxa'. If you use the noun, it's 'uma engraxadora'.
'Adular' is the formal, dictionary word. 'Dar graxa' is the colorful, everyday idiom.
It is understood, but Brazilians almost always say 'puxar o saco'.
Only literally (polishing shoes). Figuratively, it's always directed at a person.
Usually, it's negative, but you can use it jokingly with friends: 'Estás a dar-me graxa para eu pagar o café?'
You can say 'um engraxador' (PT) or 'um puxa-saco' (BR).
Mostly yes, but it can include small actions like bringing gifts or doing extra favors.
There isn't a direct idiom, but 'ser frontal' (being direct/blunt) is the opposite behavior.
Yes: 'Eu dei graxa', 'Tu deste graxa', 'Ele deu graxa'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Puxar o saco
synonymTo suck up to someone (Brazilian standard).
Lamber as botas
similarTo lick someone's boots.
Fazer o frete
similarTo do a favor for someone just to please them.
Cair nas boas graças
builds onTo get into someone's good books.
