मतलब
Butter someone up
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
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'.
मतलब
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.
खुद को परखो
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.
🎉 स्कोर: /3
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
अभ्यास बैंक
3 अभ्यासসে 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.
🎉 स्कोर: /3
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
5 सवालIt'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.
संबंधित मुहावरे
তেলবাজ
specialized formA person who flatters.
পা চাটা
synonymTo lick someone's feet.
তোষামোদ
synonymFlattery.
চামচামি
similarBeing a 'spoon' (sycophant).
