massage

Everyday

1. A massage is rubbing and pressing someone's body with your hands to relax the muscles or ease pain. tree →
2. To massage someone is to give them a massage. tree →
3. (informal, negative) To massage numbers or facts is to change them a little dishonestly to look better. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life people massage sore shoulders or feet; physiotherapists massage injured muscles in sport. In health lessons a gentle massage can help a tight muscle. In news and maths, «massaged figures» means numbers that were twisted to look good. Phrases: give a massage, foot massage, massage therapist, massage the figures.

Examples

• Mum gave me a foot massage after the long walk. tree →
• The physio massaged the footballer's leg. tree →
• A massage can help tight muscles relax. tree →
• She massaged cream into her hands. tree →
• The boss massaged the figures to hide the loss. (informal) tree →
• The massage lasted 30 minutes and cost £25. tree →
• Dad massaged his sore neck. tree →

Note

Say it MASS-ahzh (UK) or muh-SAHZH (US). Do not confuse with «message» (a note) — they look alike. Countable noun and regular verb.