Signification
Butter someone up
Contexte culturel
In Kolkata, 'Tel mara' is often used in political satire. Cartoons frequently show 'Chamchas' (sycophants) carrying oil cans behind leaders. In Bangladeshi corporate culture, 'Tel mara' is a common topic of 'Adda' (casual chat). It's seen as a necessary evil in many government offices. Second-generation Bengalis often mix this with English, saying things like 'Stop oiling me!' to their parents. In villages, the literal meaning is still very common. One must distinguish context carefully when someone mentions oil and hitting/applying.
Context Matters
Never use this with your boss directly. It's for talking *about* them, not *to* them.
The 'Dewa' Alternative
If you want to sound slightly less aggressive, use 'Tel dewa' instead of 'Tel mara'.
Signification
Butter someone up
Context Matters
Never use this with your boss directly. It's for talking *about* them, not *to* them.
The 'Dewa' Alternative
If you want to sound slightly less aggressive, use 'Tel dewa' instead of 'Tel mara'.
Sarcasm Alert
If a friend says this to you, they are likely joking. Don't take it as a serious insult.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'Tel mara'.
সে প্রমোশন পাওয়ার জন্য বসকে খুব ____।
'Tel marche' is the present continuous form, fitting the context of ongoing flattery.
Which situation best describes 'Tel mara'?
A situation where...
The phrase is an idiom for insincere flattery for gain.
Complete the dialogue.
Friend A: 'তুই আজ অনেক সুন্দর লাগছে!' Friend B: 'হঠাৎ এত ____ কেন? টাকা ধার দেব না!'
Friend B suspects Friend A is flattering them to borrow money.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesসে প্রমোশন পাওয়ার জন্য বসকে খুব ____।
'Tel marche' is the present continuous form, fitting the context of ongoing flattery.
A situation where...
The phrase is an idiom for insincere flattery for gain.
Friend A: 'তুই আজ অনেক সুন্দর লাগছে!' Friend B: 'হঠাৎ এত ____ কেন? টাকা ধার দেব না!'
Friend B suspects Friend A is flattering them to borrow money.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsIt's not a swear word, but it is a criticism. It implies the person is being insincere.
Yes, but usually in a joking way when you want a favor.
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but 'স্পষ্ট কথা বলা' (speaking clearly/honestly) is the conceptual opposite.
No, use 'তোষামোদ করা' (Toshamod kora) in formal settings.
In Bengali, 'Mara' is used for many actions like applying, hitting, or doing something suddenly.
Expressions liées
তেলবাজ
specialized formA person who flatters.
পা চাটা
synonymTo lick someone's feet.
তোষামোদ
synonymFlattery.
চামচামি
similarBeing a 'spoon' (sycophant).
