butter up

USAGE SUMMARY

"butter up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to mean attempting to get someone to do something by flattering them. For example, you could say, "She tried to butter up the boss in order to get the time off she wanted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

To butter up a teacher, he volunteered to shoot his wedding.

The New York Times - Magazine

At MIT's Charm School, students learn table manners, schmoozing, how to butter up big shots, and how to ask for a date.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But don't despair if you can't find them - simply butter up your local greengrocer and persuade him to order in a box.

The Guardian

Since the dawn of time, learning and memory have gone together like bread and butter, up and down, spaghetti and meatballs.

The Guardian

Depardieu plays a powerful French executive named Devereaux, first seen trying to butter up an unwelcome official with the insistent ministrations of his female staff.

The Guardian - Film

United had a slightly dishevelled look, however much Moyes tried to butter up their performance, and nobody should think this was a smash-and-grab win for Spurs.

The Guardian - Sport

"So you need to be prepared to butter up your allies, which will also include your frenemies.

BBC

I don't butter up everything every day.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Flaky, pain-ful arguments will not butter-up your fellow contributors.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Among officials' techniques for belittling science, such as ridicule, cherry-picking and fabrication, is the fiendish "butter-up and undercut".

Nature

"I thought it was a butter-up".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "butter up" when you want to emphasize the act of flattering someone with the intention of gaining a personal benefit. It implies a deliberate and often transparent attempt to influence someone's opinion or decision.

Common error

Avoid using "butter up" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Try to use synonyms like "flatter", "ingratiate oneself", or "curry favor" to vary your language and maintain the reader's interest.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "butter up" is as a phrasal verb. It describes an action, specifically the act of flattering someone, often with ulterior motives. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is typically used to describe an attempt to gain favor through insincere praise.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

26%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "butter up" is an idiomatic phrasal verb meaning to flatter someone, typically with the intention of gaining a personal advantage. While grammatically correct and widely understood, as Ludwig AI confirms, its usage leans toward informal contexts. Frequent alternatives include "flatter", "ingratiate oneself", and "curry favor", which might be more suitable in formal settings. Remember to use the phrase judiciously to avoid sounding repetitive or insincere. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flatter

Directly suggests giving excessive compliments to please someone.

ingratiate oneself

Implies an effort to gain someone's favor, often strategically.

brown-nose

Similar to "butter up", this is a more informal and negative term for flattery.

curry favor

Suggests seeking to gain approval or advantage through obsequious behavior.

suck up to

A more vulgar equivalent, indicating excessive and insincere flattery.

soften up

Focuses on making someone more receptive or amenable to a request.

sweet-talk

Implies using charming or persuasive language to get what one wants.

wheedle

Suggests using flattery or coaxing to persuade someone.

coax

A more general term for persuading someone gently.

soft soap

Implies using bland flattery.

FAQs

What does "butter up" mean?

The phrase "butter up" means to flatter someone, usually to get them to do something for you or to gain their favor. It implies insincere praise or excessive compliments.

How can I use "butter up" in a sentence?

You can use "butter up" in a sentence like this: "He tried to "butter up" the boss to get a promotion." This shows an attempt to gain favor through flattery.

What are some alternatives to "butter up"?

Alternatives to "butter up" include "flatter", "ingratiate oneself", "brown-nose", or "curry favor". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality.

Is "butter up" a formal or informal expression?

"Butter up" is considered an informal expression. In more formal contexts, it's better to use alternatives like "flatter" or "ingratiate oneself" to maintain a professional tone.