caresser dans le sens du poil

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ka.ʁɛ.se dɑ̃ l(ə) sɑ̃s dy pwal/ ~ /ka.ʁe.se dɑ̃ l(ə) sɑ̃s dy pwal/

• Audio (Paris):

  (file)

Verb

caresser dans le sens du poil

1. (transitive, figuratively) to butter up, to soft-soap

Usage notes

For a similar image, compare the antonymous English idiom to ruffle some feathers.