butter somebody ↔ up phrasal verb (see also butter)
informal to say nice things to someone so that they will do what you want:
Don’t think you can butter me up that easily.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

butter up
butter (someone) up
to praise someone in order to get them to like you or do what you want.
The magazine tried to get her to write an article by buttering her up.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

butter up
to flatter someone in order to get his or her favor or friendship
The man spends much time trying to butter up his boss so that he will not have to work so hard.

He is trying to butter up his boss so that he can leave early on Friday.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

butter up
v., informal To try to get the favor or friendship of (a person) by flattery or pleasantness.
He began to butter up the boss in hope of being given a better job.
Compare: POLISH THE APPLE.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

butter someone up
butter (someone) up
to praise someone in order to get them to like you or do what you want.
The magazine tried to get her to write an article by buttering her up.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

butter someone up
to flatter someone in order to get his or her favor or friendship
The man spends much time trying to butter up his boss so that he will not have to work so hard.

He is trying to butter up his boss so that he can leave early on Friday.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲