soap

Everyday

1. Soap is what you use with water to wash and clean your body or things. tree →
2. A soap (soap opera) is a TV or radio story about the lives of the same people that goes on for years. tree →
3. To soap is to rub soap on something. tree →

In the lessons

bars of soap counted, bought in packs, used up over days; in everyday life and health: wash your hands with soap and water for about 20 seconds, before eating and after the toilet; in science: soap breaks up grease and helps wash germs away; phrases: «a bar of soap», «soap and water», «liquid soap», «soap bubbles»

Examples

• A pack has 4 bars of soap. tree →
• One bar of soap costs $2. tree →
• A bar of soap lasts 10 days. tree →
• How many bars of soap are in 6 packs? tree →
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water. tree →
• Soap helps to wash germs off your skin. tree →
• We blew soap bubbles in the garden. tree →
• Grandma watches her favourite soap every evening. tree →
• Don't get soap in your eyes! tree →
• He tried to stick it on with soap from the bathroom, but that also failed. tree →

Note

Counted in bars; «per pack» marks equal groups. «Soap» as stuff is uncountable (some soap); count it with «bars of soap». Health: soap and water is better than water alone.

In Jewish tradition

Soap here is a strong cleaning substance used by launderers (fullers) to wash cloth. It is not like modern soap bars.

Interpretation. Malachi uses it to show that God's coming will cleanse the people. Jeremiah says that no washing can remove Israel's guilt unless the people truly change.

Examples

• For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap; (Prophets MAL.3.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before Me, saith the Lord GOD. (Prophets JER.2.22, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Counted in bars; «per pack» marks equal groups. «Soap» as stuff is uncountable (some soap); count it with «bars of soap». Health: soap and water is better than water alone.