Question of the Day #500

"When Johnson started running to succeed David Cameron as Tory party leader ten years ago, his campaign was defined by his extraordinary ability to butter up the press. "
From the 5th paragraph of this article at GQ.

上記の文で、butter upの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "butter up" mean?

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

〔気に入られようとして〕（人）のご機嫌を取る、（人）におべっかを使う、（人）をおだてる、（人）にごまをする

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to charm or beguile with lavish flattery or praise

Etymology/語源

Merriam-Websterによると、

初めて使用されたのが、1819年。

According to Merriam-Webster:

First Known Use of butter up:
1819

Examples

• a flunky who shamelessly butters up the boss
• The bank has to butter up investors because it is in a fiercely competitive market.
• I tried buttering her up. 'I've always admired people with these sorts of talents.'
• A company wishing to influence the government must butter up both parties in the House and the Senate.
• Alice is good at buttering up her superiors and that's how she mostly gets promoted.

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