"Desplumar" primarily refers to the act of removing feathers from birds, typically in the context of preparation for cooking. The term can also be used metaphorically to mean taking away money or resources from someone, akin to "fleece" in English. It is a commonly used verb in both oral and written contexts, with slightly more frequent use in culinary discussions.
Vamos a desplumar el pollo antes de cocinarlo.
Let's pluck the chicken before cooking it.
El estafador intentó desplumar a varios ancianos en el vecindario.
The scammer tried to fleece several elderly people in the neighborhood.
Desplumar un pato puede ser un trabajo complicado.
Plucking a duck can be a complicated job.
"Desplumar" is not traditionally associated with many idiomatic expressions, but it can be used in a few phrases that convey more metaphorical meanings:
Example: El abogado desplumó a su cliente con tarifas exageradas.
The lawyer fleeced his client with outrageous fees.
Estar en el punto de desplumar
Example: Cuando se enteró de la estafa, se dio cuenta de que estaba en el punto de desplumar.
When he found out about the scam, he realized he was in a vulnerable position.
Desplumar el capón
The term comes from the Latin "pluma," meaning "feather." The prefix "des-" indicates the action of stripping or removing, which transforms the literal meaning of removing feathers from birds.
Quitar plumas (to take feathers)
Antonyms:
This detailed breakdown provides a comprehensive understanding of the verb "desplumar," its uses, meanings, and related expressions in Spanish.