← Back to Fala2Meto suffocate; to stifle; to suppress
1. to deprive of air or oxygen; to choke
The pillow will suffocate him if he keeps his face pressed against it.
O travesseiro vai abafá-lo se ele continuar com o rosto pressionado contra ele.
2. to suppress or conceal information, feelings, or news
The government tried to stifle the scandal.
O governo tentou abafar o escândalo.
3. to muffle or deaden sound
The thick curtains muffle the noise from the street.
As cortinas grossas abafam o barulho da rua.
Regional Variations
General Brazilian
abafar
common usage in everyday speech
São Paulo
abafar
standard usage
Rio de Janeiro
abafar
standard usage
Portugal
abafar
less common; prefer 'sufocar' or 'reprimir'
Related Idioms & Phrases
abafar um escândalo (to cover up a scandal)
abafar a voz (to lower one's voice)
abafar o choro (to suppress tears)
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