soften sb up
— phrasal verb with soften /ˈsɒf.ən/
/ˈsɑː.fən/ verb [I or T] Definition
› to do things that will please someone so that they will do what you want: You're trying to soften me up so I'll drive you to Jodie's house, aren't you?Urging and persuadingCausing somebody to act
(Definition of soften sb up from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
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Synonyms and related words:
- brainwash verb
- charm verb
- exhort verb
- get (sth) through (to sb) phrasal verb
- get round sb phrasal verb
- incite verb
- intercede verb
- persuasion noun (CHANGING IDEAS)
- persuasive adjective
- pitch noun (PERSUASION)
- pitch verb (PERSUADE)
- preach to the converted idiom
- preach verb (PERSUADE)
- rope sb in phrasal verb
- snow job noun
- spiel noun
- sweet talk noun
- talk sb down phrasal verb (PERSUADE)
- talk sb out of sth phrasal verb
- well argued adjective
Topic:
Urging & persuading
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