keep (one) sweet

keep (one) sweet

To do nice things for one in order to maintain their loyalty or to elicit some benefit from them in the future. She isn't the easiest person in the world to work for, but she keeps us sweet with a big fat bonus at the end of the year. He's been keeping the superintendent sweet so that he'll get a favorable review at the end of the year.

See also: keep, sweet

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

keep someone sweet

BRITISH

COMMON If you keep someone sweet, you do something to please them so that they will treat you well in return. Remember to tip the barman to keep him sweet. I like to keep him sweet because he's quite useful to have on our side.

See also: keep, someone, sweet

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

keep someone sweet

keep someone well disposed towards yourself, especially by favours or bribery. informal

See also: keep, someone, sweet

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

keep somebody ˈsweet

(informal) be pleasant and nice to somebody, so that they will treat you well: I have to keep my mother sweet because I want to borrow the car.

See also: keep, somebody, sweet

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017