buttering up

The dinner service for the banquet dates back to George IV - and the motives, buttering up visiting dignitaries, are even older.

Republican members of the Senate appeared equally baffled, especially at Castor, who spent much of his time buttering up senators with compliments, praising the case made by Democrats and going on tangents.

“I love the state of Iowa,” Mr. Trump said, by way of buttering up the home of the butterballs.

"They are not enforcing the sanctions. They are not working as much as they should work for Ukraine," Zelensky said, buttering up Trump.

Nice job by that one guy buttering up Erik by saying he likes them.