Phrasal Verbs

butter up

This page is about the phrasal verb butter up

Meaning

to say nice things to someone before asking them to do something for you or to give you something

Synonym

flatter

For example

  • butter sb up If my daughter wants something, she butters me up with a hug and a few nice words before asking me for it.

  • butter up sb You'll probably have to butter up the guys who run the place before they'll agree to help you out.

Quick Quiz

Johnny is very good at buttering somebody up before

a. having them for breakfast

b. doing something for them

c. asking them for something
a) having them for breakfast b) doing something for them c) asking them for something

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

Contributor: Matt Errey