butter up

but·ter  (btr)

n.

1. A soft yellowish or whitish emulsion of butterfat, water, air, and sometimes salt, churned from milk or cream and processed for use in cooking and as a food.

2. Any of various substances similar to butter, especially:

a. A spread made from fruit, nuts, or other foods: apple butter.

b. A vegetable fat having a nearly solid consistency at ordinary temperatures.

3. Flattery.

tr.v. but·tered, but·ter·ing, but·ters

To put butter on or in.

Phrasal Verb:

butter up

To praise or flatter excessively: You're always buttering up the boss.

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[Middle English butere, from Old English, from Latin btrum, from Greek boutron : bous, cow; see g^wou- in Indo-European roots + tros, cheese; see teu- in Indo-European roots.]

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butter up

Verb

to flatter

Thesaurus

Verb

1.

butter up - flatter with the intention of getting something brown-nose blandish, flatter - praise somewhat dishonestly