Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
butter-up
phrasal verb
/ˈbʌtər ʌp/
Definition
to flatter someone excessively to gain their favor or to achieve a desired outcome.
Examples
- She tried to butter up her boss before asking for a raise.
- He always butters up his friends when he needs their help.
- It’s obvious he likes to butter up the teachers to get good grades.
Meaning
Butter-up means to praise or compliment someone in a way that is insincere or overly generous, often with the intention of manipulating them or making them more favorable to you.
Synonyms
- flatter
- ingratiate
- coax
- fawn over
