idiom
Food
butter someone up
BUT-er SUM-wun UP
ˈbʌtər ˈsʌmwʌn ʌpListen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
Syllable breakdown
buttersomeoneup
Dictionary meaning
To flatter someone in order to gain a favour.
Examples
- He spent the whole dinner buttering up the investor before asking for more funding.
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