achicar

to make smaller

achicar(ah-chee-kahr)

transitive verb

1. (to reduce)

a. to make smaller

Voy a achicar un poco la foto para que quepa en el portarretratos.

I'll make the picture smaller so it can fit in the frame.

b. to take in (clothing)

La costurera tuvo que achicar mi vestido porque adelgacé.

The seamstress had to take in my dress because I lost weight.

2. (to draw out water)

a. to bail out

(United States)

Jack achicó toda el agua del bote con una cubeta.

Jack bailed the water out of the boat with a bucket.

b. to bale out

(United Kingdom)

La tienda empezó a inundarse, así que el empleado achicó el agua tan rápido como pudo.

The shop started flooding, so the clerk baled out the water as fast as he could.

c. to pump out

Conseguimos una máquina para achicar el agua del pozo.

We got a machine to pump out water from the well.

3. (to frighten)

a. to intimidate

¿Quién quiere trabajar para un jefe que sólo achica a sus empleados?

Who wants to work for a boss who just intimidates his employees?

b. to browbeat

Hay una niña en el salón que achica a la mayoría de sus compañeros.

There's a girl in the class who browbeats most of her classmates.

achicarse

pronominal verb

4. (to be frightened)

a. to be intimidated

Sara parece achicarse ante el policía.

Sara seems to be intimidated by the police officer.

5. (to be reduced)

a. to become smaller

Me dijeron en el banco que el interés de mi deuda puede achicarse si la liquido en los próximos meses.

I was told at the bank that the interest on my debt can become smaller if I pay it off in the next few months.