How do you say “Butter someone up” in French?
The closest natural French equivalent is passer de la pommade à quelqu'un, which literally means “to apply ointment to someone”. English speakers use butter someone up to mean to praise someone because you want them to do something for you. Often teasing or critical. “Flatter” is more neutral and doesn't always imply a hidden motive. Register: informal. Usage frequency: common.
Closest natural French
passer de la pommade à quelqu'un
/pase də la pɔmad a kɛlkœ̃/
- Literal meaning
- “to apply ointment to someone”
- Register
- informal
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Near-exact equivalent
92 out of 100
What a native French speaker would actually say
French uses ointment where English uses butter. “Tu me passes de la pommade” makes a good teasing accusation when someone's request is obvious.
“Flatter” is broader, so include the favour if the hidden motive matters. “Caresser dans le sens du poil” can mean agreeing with someone to keep them happy, without actually praising them.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning5 out of 5
- Tone5 out of 5
- Context5 out of 5
- Literal similarity3 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
What are other ways to say it in French?
flatter quelqu'un
Literally: “to flatter someone”
Neutral wording; context supplies any hidden motive.
caresser quelqu'un dans le sens du poil
Literally: “to stroke someone in the direction of the fur”
Emphasises saying what pleases someone or avoiding resistance.
In context
English
You're buttering me up because you want to borrow my car.
French
Tu me passes de la pommade parce que tu veux emprunter ma voiture.
English
He buttered up the manager before asking for a favour.
French
Il a flatté le responsable avant de lui demander un service.
Related expressions
- What “Butter someone up” means in English
- Pull the wool over someone's eyes, Deceive someone or conceal the truth.
- Pull someone's leg, To tease someone playfully.
Last updated 2026-09-16