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butter someone up
/ˈbʌtər ˌsʌmˈwʌn ˈʌp/◆idiom
flatter excessively
He buttered up his boss with compliments before asking for a raise.
He flattered his boss with excessive praise to get a raise.
informal
to flatter or compliment someone excessively in order to gain their favor or approval
She always butters up the teacher before exams to get extra help.
She flatters the teacher excessively to receive special assistance.
He buttered up his in-laws by praising their cooking nonstop.
He flattered his in-laws with constant praise to win them over.
Often implies insincerity or manipulation. Common in social or professional settings.
Collocations
butter someone up withflatter someone usingkeep buttering someone upcontinue flattering someone persistently
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Use in Context
Remember that 'butter someone up' implies insincerity. Use it when describing someone who flatters another person excessively to gain an advantage, not for genuine compliments.
Gold Rule
Avoid Literal Interpretation
Do not confuse this idiom with the literal act of applying butter to someone. It is always used figuratively to describe flattery.
Word Origin
The phrase likely originates from the idea of spreading butter on bread to make it more appealing, metaphorically implying the act of making someone feel more 'palatable' or agreeable through excessive praise.
Usage Notes
This idiom is informal and often carries a negative connotation, suggesting insincerity. It is commonly used in both social and professional contexts.
Word Breakdown
butter
to spread or apply something smoothly
verbsomeone up
to someone in a flattering manner
phrasal particleEnglish Dictionary