teflon
Pan's slick surface
Teflon is the brand name for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a slick synthetic coating applied to cookware to prevent food from sticking.
The material's remarkable non-stick properties gave rise to figurative use: a teflon politician is one to whom criticism and scandal don't stick.
He's been called the teflon candidate—nothing seems to damage him.
The figurative sense usually appears lowercase even though the trademark is capitalized. (Capitalized Teflon is the trademark.)
Smooth or craftily adept
- untouchableExempt from criticism or harm
- evasiveAvoiding direct response
- unaccountableNot required to justify
- smoothWithout roughness or difficulty
slippery · dodging · charmed · invincible · unscathed · bulletproof · resilient · deflection
slick
Smooth or craftily adept
- untouchableExempt from criticism or harm
- evasiveAvoiding direct response
- unaccountableNot required to justify
smooth · slippery · dodging · charmed · invincible · unscathed · bulletproof · resilient · deflection · criticism
- frying-panskillet, nonstick, cast iron, carbon steel, stainless steel
- inventionsprinting press, steam engine, lightbulb, light bulb, microscope
- aerospace materialstitanium, aluminum, carbon fiber, composites, heat shields
- materialsmetal, metals, wood, ceramic, fabric
- durable materialstitanium, stainless steel, tungsten, diamond, carbon fiber
- non-reactiveinert, unreactive, noble gas, noble metal, argon
teflonvelcro
Fabric fastener using hooks
lightning rod · vulnerable · exposed · tarnished · scapegoat
- Teflon tapeThread-sealing film strip
- teflon coatingSlick polymer layer
- Teflon DonScandal-proof crime boss nickname