# soften up

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/soften-up
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To appease someone in order to make them more receptive to an idea or proposal.

## Examples

- I will buy him coffee to soften him up before asking for help.
- She brought her boss a nice lunch to soften him up before requesting a raise.
- The negotiator attempted to soften up the opposition with small concessions before presenting the final, more demanding terms of the contract.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.