cabrestear

Senses

1. 1.

   to lead by a halter; to direct or control someone

   to guide a horse or animal using a cabestro (halter), or figuratively to control or direct a person

2. 2.

   to manipulate or manage someone

   to handle or control someone's actions, often implying subtle or indirect persuasion

Examples

• "El ganadero cabresteaba los caballos hacia el corral."

  The rancher led the horses to the corral by their halters.

• "No me gusta que me cabresteeen; prefiero actuar con libertad."

  I don't like being manipulated; I prefer to act freely.

• "Los políticos intentan cabrestear a los votantes con promesas vacías."

  Politicians try to manipulate voters with empty promises.

Usage

Relatively uncommon in modern Spanish outside rural or literary contexts. The primary sense is livestock-related; the figurative sense (to manipulate) is more colloquial and sometimes carries a negative connotation. Common in Latin American Spanish (particularly Argentina, Mexico) for both literal and figurative uses.