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From BBC learning English. broadcasts. Oh, hello Faye Faye. I didn't know you shopped at this supermarket too.

Hi Finn, usually I don't, but it's close to the office and I have to rush home to welcome an important guest.

Hmm, who is it? Someone I know?

No, it's my landlady. She's coming to collect some of her post and well I want to make her like me because next month

the contract on my flat is due to be renewed and she might want to increase the rent.

Mm, yeah I see what you mean.

So you'd better butter her up then.

Butter?

Oh yes.

But I'm a pretty back-hook. If I bake a cake it would probably be horrible.

No, I don't mean butter for a cake. In English, when you say you'll butter someone up, you mean

you'll be especially nice to them in the hope

that they'll do something good for you in return. Oh I see so I'll be nice to her and

pay her compliments so that she likes me and keeps the rent low.

I'll butter her up.

But isn't it a bit insincere?

Well, it can have a negative connotation, yes. Let's hear some examples of how to use

to butter someone up or to butter up someone, which is today's expression in the English we speak.

Hmm, I was very impressed with your presentation Mrs. Beeney.

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