passar pano

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Portuguese[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Literally, to pass [a] cloth.

Verb[edit]

passar pano (first-person singular present passo pano, first-person singular preterite passei pano, past participle passado pano)

  1. (literally) to rub a cloth (often wet with water or cleaning products) over a surface in order to clean it
    Preciso passar pano nessa parede suja.
    I need to rub a cloth over that dirty wall.
  2. (figuratively, derogatory, often followed by para) to minimize or downplay someone's misconduct or crimes, to "clean" someone's reputation
    Não passe pano para piadas racistas.
    Don't downplay racist jokes.

Conjugation[edit]