dar pábulo
es
en
Change language
Translating...
fuel, feed, stoke
/daɾ ˈpabulo/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
To give a rumour, fear or conflict something that keeps it growing.
Examples
La falta de datos da pábulo a la especulación.
The lack of data fuels speculation.
No quería dar pábulo al miedo de sus hijos.
She did not want to feed her children’s fear.
El silencio oficial dio pábulo a las sospechas.
The official silence fuelled suspicion.
Sus palabras dieron pábulo a nuevos rumores.
His words fuelled new rumours.
La foto dio pábulo a una discusión interminable.
The photo fuelled an endless argument.
Similar words
avivar
echar leña al fuego
alimentar
atizar
Meanings
Examples
Sus palabras dieron pábulo a nuevos rumores.
His words fuelled new rumours.
La falta de datos da pábulo a la especulación.
The lack of data fuels speculation.
No quería dar pábulo al miedo de sus hijos.
She did not want to feed her children’s fear.
El silencio oficial dio pábulo a las sospechas.
The official silence fuelled suspicion.
La foto dio pábulo a una discusión interminable.
The photo fuelled an endless argument.
Similar words
alimentar
avivar
atizar
echar leña al fuego
Etymology
Pábulo once meant food; the phrase treats a rumour or feeling as something that can be fed.
FAQ
What does dar pábulo mean?
To feed or intensify a rumour, fear or conflict.
What usually follows the phrase?
Often a rumour, suspicion, speculation or fear.
No. It treats an idea or feeling as something fed.
It is more elevated than simply saying alimentar.
What does pábulo mean here?
It originally names food or something that sustains another thing.
Comments & contributions
Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.