butter up 讨好；奉承；巴结

【例句】
Don't butter up the recipient first although a brief compliment may help.
不要一开始奉承收件人尽管简短的赞美可能会帮上忙。

He began to butter up the boss in hope of being given a better job.
他开始巴结老板，希望得到一份好工作。