polish
BrE /ˈpɒlɪʃ/ AmE /ˈpɑːlɪʃ/
verb / noun en → es
past polished pp polished ing polishing
to make something smooth and shiny by rubbing it with a cloth or liquid
pulir, limar, brillar
- polish something
Collocations polish shoes · polish silverware
-
She polished the furniture until it shone.
Ella pulió los muebles hasta que brillaron.
to make something better or more effective by working on it carefully and thoroughly
mejorar, perfeccionar, pulir (en sentido figurado)
- polish your skills/abilities
Collocations polish a speech · polish an essay
-
He spent weeks polishing his presentation.
Pasó semanas perfeccionando su presentación.
to make something more precise or accurate, especially by removing unnecessary details
refinar, pulir (en sentido figurado)
- polish a draft
Collocations polish an argument · polish a theory
-
The author polished the manuscript before submitting it.
El autor refinó el manuscrito antes de enviarlo.
a piece of equipment or furniture that has been made smooth and shiny by rubbing it with a cloth or liquid
objeto pulido, cosa brillante
Phrasal verbs
mejorar, pulir (en sentido figurado)
-
I need to polish up my Spanish before I go.
Necesito mejorar mi español antes de ir.
terminar rápidamente, acabar (en sentido figurado)
-
He polished off his meal in no time.
Él terminó su comida en un instante.
Idioms
halagar, elogiar (en sentido figurado)
-
She polished the apple to get a promotion.
Ella halagó al jefe para conseguir un ascenso.
prepararse, ponerse en forma (en sentido figurado)
-
He polished his boots and prepared for the interview.
Se preparó y puso todo en orden para la entrevista.