butter up
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To flatter, especially with the intent of personal gain.
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
He takes every opportunity to butter up the boss.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “butter up” mean?
To flatter, especially with the intent of personal gain.
Is “butter up” formal or informal?
butter up is generally informal.