Definition

Verb: 1. To use flattering talk on somebody: To attempt to persuade, influence, or win favor from someone by using excessive, insincere praise or compliments. 2. To persuade someone through flattery: To coax or convince someone to do something by appealing to their vanity with smooth, ingratiating words.

Usage and Examples

• The basic meaning is to use insincere praise to manipulate someone's opinion or actions.
  • He tried to soft-soap the manager into giving him the promotion.
  • Don't think you can soft-soap me with compliments; I know what you really want.
  • The salesperson soft-soaped the customer into buying the more expensive model.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• The term often implies that the flattery is transparently manipulative and not genuine. The target of the soft-soaping may or may not be aware of the insincerity.
• It is frequently used in informal or slightly disapproving contexts to describe a tactic of persuasion.
  • She saw through his attempt to soft-soap her and refused his request.

Variants and Related Words

• Soft-soap can also function as a non-hyphenated noun (soft soap), historically referring to a type of semi-liquid soap. The verb form derives metaphorically from the "smooth" and "slippery" nature of such soap.
• Soft-soaping (noun/gerund): The act of using flattery to persuade.
  • His constant soft-soaping of the boss was obvious to everyone in the office.

Synonyms

• Flatter: To praise excessively, especially from motives of self-interest. (Less directly implies an attempt to persuade.)
• Butter up: (Informal) To flatter someone excessively, especially to gain a favor.
• Cajole: To persuade someone to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery.
• Wheedle: To use endearments or flattery to persuade someone to do something or give one something.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Lay it on thick: (Idiom) To exaggerate one's praise or flattery, similar to the action of soft-soaping.
  • He was really laying it on thick when he told her she was the best singer he'd ever heard.

Verb

1. use flattering talk on somebody
2. persuade someone through flattery