What does "Butter someone up" mean?

"Butter someone up" means to praise someone too much in order to get something.

Should I interpret "Butter someone up" word for word?

Understand the expression as a whole. Use the definition and example to learn its meaning rather than translating each word separately.

Butter someone up Meaning, Examples and Translation

Definizione

To praise someone too much in order to get something.

Esempi

Examples

“He tried to butter up the teacher before the exam.”

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Use this idiom in context

Rewrite this example in plain English without the idiom. Preserve who is speaking, the time and the meaning.

He tried to butter up the teacher before the exam.

Compare with the original example

He tried to butter up the teacher before the exam.

Write a two-line conversation using “Butter someone up”. Make the situation clear enough that a reader can infer the meaning. Then replace the idiom with a plain-English explanation: does your conversation still mean the same thing?

Check the expression in a dictionary

Modi di dire correlati

Esplora modi di dire e frasi simili. Clicca su una scheda per leggere il significato completo e gli esempi.

“Throw someone under the bus”

To sacrifice someone else to protect yourself.

“Brush up on something”

To improve knowledge or skill by reviewing it.

“Shape up or ship out”

Improve your behavior or leave.

“Keep your chin up”

Stay positive in a difficult situation.

“Drive someone up the wall”

To make someone very annoyed or angry.

“Up in arms”

Very angry or upset about something.

“Keep someone at arm’s length”

To avoid becoming too close to someone.

“Cut someone some slack”

To be less critical of someone.

Domande frequenti

What does "Butter someone up" mean?: "Butter someone up" means to praise someone too much in order to get something.

How do you use "Butter someone up" in a sentence?: Example: "He tried to butter up the teacher before the exam."

Should I interpret "Butter someone up" word for word?: Understand the expression as a whole. Use the definition and example to learn its meaning rather than translating each word separately.

Throw someone under the bus→Brush up on something→Shape up or ship out→Keep your chin up→Drive someone up the wall→Up in arms→

“Butter someone up”

Definizione

Esempi

Examples

Use this idiom in context

Modi di dire correlati

Domande frequenti

Lezioni correlate

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