butter up

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But there is an almost universal expectation that he will, and Wednesday's right-wing cotillion may be a way to butter up crucial allies should he decide to run.

From Salon

One of his senior advisors told me this last August when I arrived in Brussels, and I wondered whether it was as a cholesterol-enriched ploy to butter up the new British arrival.

From BBC

The president later told vaccinators to “fire away” and buttered up one recipient by claiming his biceps were bigger than his own thighs.

From Washington Times

Republican members of the Senate appeared equally baffled, especially at Castor, who spent much of his time buttering up senators with compliments, praising the case made by Democrats and going on tangents.

From Seattle Times

“I love the state of Iowa,” Mr. Trump said, by way of buttering up the home of the butterballs.

From New York Times