dar pábulo
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fuel, feed, stoke
/daɾ ˈpabulo/
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To give a rumour, fear or conflict something that keeps it growing.
Examples
El silencio oficial dio pábulo a las sospechas.
The official silence fuelled suspicion.
No quería dar pábulo al miedo de sus hijos.
She did not want to feed her children’s fear.
La foto dio pábulo a una discusión interminable.
The photo fuelled an endless argument.
La falta de datos da pábulo a la especulación.
The lack of data fuels speculation.
Sus palabras dieron pábulo a nuevos rumores.
His words fuelled new rumours.
Similar words
alimentar
avivar
atizar
echar leña al fuego
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.
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