cabestrear

Senses

1. 1.

   to lead by halter

   to guide or control an animal (especially a horse) by means of a halter or rope

2. 2.

   to control or dominate

   to manipulate or exercise control over a person, often in a pejorative sense

Examples

• "El arriero cabestreaba los caballos por el camino montañoso."

  The muleteer led the horses by halter along the mountain path.

• "No permitas que nadie te cabestree; debes tomar tus propias decisiones."

  Don't let anyone control you; you must make your own decisions.

• "El político intenta cabestrear a los votantes con promesas vacías."

  The politician tries to manipulate voters with empty promises.

Usage

Derived from cabestro (halter). The literal sense relates to animal handling; the figurative sense implies domination or manipulation and often carries a negative connotation. Common in regional and rural Spanish.