schmieren
Translation
to spread, to grease, to bribe, to scrawl
Examples
Ich schmiere Butter auf mein Brot.
I spread butter on my bread.
Man muss die quietschende Tür schmieren.
You have to grease the squeaking door.
Er versuchte, den Polizisten zu schmieren.
He tried to bribe the policeman.
Das Kind schmiert mit Stiften auf die Wand.
The child is scrawling on the wall with pens.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ((onto sth.)) schmieren to spread sth. onto sth. I spread jam onto the bread.
((sth.)) schmieren to grease/lubricate sth. You should grease your bicycle.
((sb.)) schmieren to bribe sb. They say he bribed the witness.
Similar Words
Etymology
From Old High German 'smirwen' (to anoint, smear), related to 'Schmer' (grease, lard).
Memory Tips
Think of 'smearing' something: smearing butter on bread, smearing grease on a chain, or smearing dirty money to bribe someone.