to spread / to grease / to bribe
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to spread
To apply a soft, often greasy or sticky substance to a surface. This can be for moistening, as a topping, or for lubrication.
Ich schmiere mir morgens immer Honig aufs Brot.
I always spread honey on my bread in the morning.
to bribe
Colloquial and derogatory for bribing a person, that is, giving them money or other advantages in order to receive an unlawful favor in return.
Es wird vermutet, dass der Bauunternehmer den Beamten geschmiert hat, um die Genehmigung zu bekommen.
It is suspected that the building contractor bribed the official in order to get the permit.
to scribble
To write, draw, or paint something messily, illegibly, or untidily.
Der Arzt hat mir schnell ein Rezept geschmiert, das ich kaum lesen konnte.
The doctor quickly scribbled me a prescription that I could hardly read.
to ham it up
In theater language, to act in an exaggerated, unnatural, or bad way.
Der Hauptdarsteller hat in der Sterbeszene leider furchtbar geschmiert.
Unfortunately, the lead actor really hammed it up terribly in the death scene.
When applying a substance to a surface, the structure is often: accusative object (what?) + 'auf' + accusative object (where to?).
Er schmiert sich jeden Morgen eine dicke Schicht Marmelade aufs Brötchen.
Every morning he spreads a thick layer of jam on his roll.
In the meaning 'bestechen' (to bribe), 'schmieren' is colloquial and has a strongly negative connotation. The object of the verb is always the person who receives the money or advantage.
Man munkelt, er habe den Prüfer geschmiert, um den Test zu bestehen.
Rumor has it that he bribed the examiner in order to pass the test.
When 'schmieren' is used for writing or drawing, it is colloquial and expresses that this is done very quickly, messily, and barely legibly.
Ich konnte die Notizen nicht lesen, die er auf den Zettel geschmiert hatte.
I couldn't read the notes he had scribbled on the piece of paper.
This meaning is specialized language from the world of theater and film. It is used to describe exaggerated and unprofessional acting and is not understood outside this context.
Das Publikum fand, dass der Schauspieler in der letzten Szene fürchterlich geschmiert hat.
The audience thought that the actor hammed it up terribly in the final scene.
to buy
Kaufen and schmieren can both mean getting a person to commit an unlawful act through money or other benefits. Schmieren is colloquial and derogatory, and emphasizes the bribe payment. Kaufen highlights more strongly that the person can be influenced.
Der Unternehmer schmierte den Beamten mit teuren Geschenken.
The businessman bribed the official with expensive gifts.
Der Unternehmer kaufte den Beamten mit teuren Geschenken.
The businessman bought the official off with expensive gifts.
