butter up crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com, your ultimate resource for solving tricky crossword clues! On this page, you'll find all possible answers and detailed explanations for the clue "butter up crossword", ensuring you never get stuck on your puzzle again. We provide solutions across all word lengths to help you complete your grid efficiently.
Solutions for "butter up crossword" by Letter Count
4 Letters
COAX: To gently and persistently persuade someone to do something.
FAWN: (Of a person) to give a servile display of affection or flattery.
5 Letters
TOADY: To behave obsequiously to someone; a person who flatters excessively.
7 Letters
FLATTER: To praise (someone) excessively and often insincerely, especially with the aim of furthering one's own interests.
9 Letters
SWEETTALK: To use flattery or charming words to persuade someone to do something.
More About "butter up crossword"
The idiom "butter up" is a colorful way to describe the act of flattering someone excessively, often with an ulterior motive. It evokes the image of smoothing someone over with kind words, much like buttering a slice of bread. In crosswords, clues like "butter up" are popular because they require solvers to think beyond the literal meaning and delve into idiomatic expressions and their synonyms.
When you encounter "butter up" in a crossword, the answers typically revolve around words related to persuasion, flattery, ingratiation, or even obsequiousness. These can range from simple verbs like 'COAX' or 'FAWN' to more descriptive terms like 'FLATTER' or 'SWEETTALK'. The context of the surrounding letters in your crossword grid will often provide the necessary hints to narrow down the correct answer among these possibilities.
Understanding the figurative nature of such clues is key to successful crossword solving. Instead of looking for dairy products or culinary actions, your mind should immediately shift to human social behaviors and the language used to describe them.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Idioms and Synonyms: For clues like "butter up," always think of the idiomatic meaning first. Then, brainstorm synonyms that fit that meaning, such as flatter, cajole, wheedle, or fawn.
- Check Letter Count: Once you have a list of potential answers, verify which ones match the required letter count for the puzzle. This is a crucial step in narrowing down options.
- Look at Intersecting Letters: Use the letters you've already filled in from intersecting words. These letters are your strongest allies in confirming or eliminating potential answers.
- Think About Nuance: Some synonyms might be more fitting depending on the clue's subtle tone. Is it a gentle persuasion or an outright attempt at manipulation?
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "butter up" mean in general usage?
"Butter up" is an idiom that means to flatter someone excessively or insincerely, usually with the intention of gaining a favor or special treatment from them. It implies using praise or kind words to make someone feel good so they are more likely to agree to what you want.
Why is "butter up" a common crossword clue?
It's a common clue because it has multiple synonyms and related actions that can vary in length and nuance, providing a good range of potential answers for different puzzle grids. It tests a solver's knowledge of idioms and synonyms related to persuasion, flattery, and ingratiation.
Are there other idioms like "butter up" that appear in crosswords?
Yes, many idioms related to human interaction, emotions, or common actions are frequently used as crossword clues. Examples might include 'pull strings' (influence), 'spill the beans' (reveal a secret), 'bite the bullet' (endure a difficult situation), or 'break a leg' (good luck).