Meaning
Trying to please someone submissively.
Cultural Background
Estonians generally dislike overt flattery. If you 'liputad saba' too much, people will trust you less because you seem insincere. In Estonian offices, hierarchy is often flat. 'Saba liputamine' is seen as an old-fashioned and pathetic way to climb the ladder. The phrase is still used literally for farm dogs, and the transition to the figurative meaning is very clear to anyone who has owned a dog.
Context Matters
Be careful using 'liputama' alone, as it can mean 'to flash' (indecent exposure). Always include 'saba' to be clear.
Use the Noun
Calling someone a 'sabaliputaja' is a very efficient way to describe a sycophant in one word.
Meaning
Trying to please someone submissively.
Context Matters
Be careful using 'liputama' alone, as it can mean 'to flash' (indecent exposure). Always include 'saba' to be clear.
Use the Noun
Calling someone a 'sabaliputaja' is a very efficient way to describe a sycophant in one word.
Test Yourself
Täida lünk õige sõnaga.
Ta ______ direktori ees saba.
The idiom is 'saba liputama'.
Vali lause, mis tähendab 'He is fawning'.
Mida tähendab 'Ta liputab saba'?
The idiom means trying to please someone submissively.
Millises olukorras kasutatakse seda väljendit?
Jüri kiidab ülemuse koledat lipsu, et saada vabaks päevaks luba.
Jüri is being insincere to get a favor.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesTa ______ direktori ees saba.
The idiom is 'saba liputama'.
Mida tähendab 'Ta liputab saba'?
The idiom means trying to please someone submissively.
Jüri kiidab ülemuse koledat lipsu, et saada vabaks päevaks luba.
Jüri is being insincere to get a favor.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsIt is informal and critical, but not a swear word. It's similar to calling someone a 'suck-up'.
Literally, yes, but figuratively it doesn't work because cats don't wag tails to show submission.
Related Phrases
pugema
synonymto crawl/brown-nose
lipitsema
similarto fawn
meelitama
similarCan be positive or negative flattery.
pugeja
builds ona brown-noser
