- soften someone up
- soften someone up†Fig. to prepare to persuade someone of something. •
I will talk to Fred and soften him up for your request.
•I will soften up your father before you ask him about it.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
soften someone up
Look at other dictionaries:
soften someone up — soften (someone/something) up to weaken someone or something. Constant bombing was designed to soften the enemy up and weaken him. The ads were just a way to soften up public opinion to accept a big price increase … New idioms dictionary
soften someone up — CHARM, win over, persuade, influence, weaken, disarm, sweeten; informal butter up, soft soap. → soften … Useful english dictionary
soften someone/thing up — undermine the resistance of. → soften … English new terms dictionary
soften up — 1. To lessen resistance in (informal) 2. To wear down by continuous shelling and bombing • • • Main Entry: ↑soft * * * ˌsoften ˈup [transitive] [present tense … Useful english dictionary
soften something up — soften (someone/something) up to weaken someone or something. Constant bombing was designed to soften the enemy up and weaken him. The ads were just a way to soften up public opinion to accept a big price increase … New idioms dictionary
soften up — soften (someone/something) up to weaken someone or something. Constant bombing was designed to soften the enemy up and weaken him. The ads were just a way to soften up public opinion to accept a big price increase … New idioms dictionary
soften up — PHRASAL VERB If you soften someone up, you put them into a good mood before asking them to do something. [INFORMAL] [V n P] If they d treated you well it was just to soften you up. [Also V P n (not pron)] Syn: butter up … English dictionary
soften — verb 1》 make or become soft or softer. 2》 (often soften someone/thing up) undermine the resistance of. Derivatives softener noun … English new terms dictionary
soften — soft|en [ sɔfn ] verb * 1. ) intransitive or transitive to become softer or to make something softer: Simmer gently until the apple has softened. If the mixture is too hard you will need to soften it. 2. ) intransitive or transitive to become… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
soften — soft|en [ˈsɔfən US ˈso: ] v [I and T] 1.) also soften up to become less hard or rough, or make something less hard or rough ≠ ↑harden ▪ Use moisturizer to soften your skin. ▪ Cook until the onion softens. 2.) if your attitude softens, or if… … Dictionary of contemporary English
soften */ — UK [ˈsɒf(ə)n] / US [ˈsɔf(ə)n] verb Word forms soften : present tense I/you/we/they soften he/she/it softens present participle softening past tense softened past participle softened 1) [intransitive/transitive] to become softer, or to make… … English dictionary
