butter someone up

Meaning

This expression means to be exceptionally nice, complimentary, or helpful to someone, usually because you want to ask them for a favor later. It implies a slightly insincere motive, though it is often used in a lighthearted, humorous, or teasing way. The tone is casual and conversational.

Examples

• Are you trying to butter me up just because you want to borrow my car?

  Are you trying to butter me up just because you want to borrow my car?

• He bought his boss a coffee to butter her up before asking for a day off.

  He bought his boss a coffee to butter her up before asking for a day off.

• She's been buttering up her parents all week hoping they'll let her go to the concert.

  She's been buttering up her parents all week hoping they'll let her go to the concert.

• Don't try to butter me up with compliments; it won't work this time.

  Don't try to butter me up with compliments; it won't work this time.

• We need to butter up the client a bit before we present our new prices.

  We need to butter up the client a bit before we present our new prices.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He tried to oil his boss up before asking for a raise.

  ✓ He tried to butter his boss up before asking for a raise.

  The standard idiom uses 'butter', not 'oil' or other fats, to describe this action.

• ✗ She buttered up to her teacher to get a better grade.

  ✓ She buttered up her teacher to get a better grade.

  The phrasal verb is transitive: 'butter someone up' or 'butter up someone'. Do not add 'to' after 'butter up'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• He's been washing his dad's car all morning to ___ before asking for money.

  💡 Make him happy so he grants a favor.

  Show answer

  butter him up

• You don't need to ___ the manager; just ask him directly.

  💡 Flatter him to get what you want.

  Show answer

  butter up