soften up

英 [ˈsɒfn ʌp]

美 [ˈsɔːfn ʌp]

（求助于人之前）讨好，安抚

柯林斯词典

• PHRASAL VERB (求助于人之前)讨好，安抚
  If yousoftensomeoneup, you put them into a good mood before asking them to do something.
  1. If they'd treated you well it was just to soften you up.
     他们要是对你好，也不过是为了讨好你罢了。

双语例句

• Sometimes an expensive gift may be necessary to soften up a government official.
  有时为了使一位政府官员手软，向其赠送一份昂贵的礼物也许是必要的。
• His face seems to soften up a little.
  他脸色看上去温和点了。
• First they would "soften up" an island, weakening the resistance by shelling the enemy strongholds with bombs from offshore ships.
  首先他们会“软化”该岛，以离岸船舰发射炮弹摧毁敌人的防线，削弱他们的守卫。
• You go in and soften father up, and then I'll ask him for the money.
  你进去先用好话软化父亲，然后，我再去向他要钱。
• If they'd treated you well it was just to soften you up.
  他们要是对你好，也不过是为了讨好你罢了。
• We'll soften you up, I promise you.
  我向你保证，我们会让你老实的。
• All the while, soften her up by telling her how much you admire her dedication or analytical prowess.
  并且你可以通过一直告诉她你有多佩服她的付出和分析能力来让她软化。
• It can turn firm for off-road, trail running and then soften up when it hits the pavement.
  它可以越野，在公路，步道上跑步，踩在路面时会缓冲。
• His strategy was to soften them up with compliments.
  他的策略是用恭维话来打动他们。
• The material has begun to soften up.
  材料开始变软了。