butter (redirected from butters up)

someone's bread and butter (informal)

a job or activity that provides you with the money you need to live. Teaching at the local college is his bread and butter.

See also: bread

bread and butter

a bread and butter subject or problem is about things that people need in order to live, such as money and jobs. Unemployment and taxes are the bread and butter issues of this campaign.

See also: bread

butter wouldn't melt in someone's mouth

if butter wouldn't melt in someone's mouth, they look as if they would never do anything wrong although you think they would. She looks as though butter wouldn't melt in her mouth but I've seen her fighting with the younger kids.

See also: melt, mouth, wouldn't

cut/go through something like a (hot) knife through butter

to cut something very easily. A laser beam can cut through metal like a hot knife through butter.

See also: cut, knife, like, through

know which side your bread is buttered (on)

to be careful not to upset people who you know can help you. Ollie won't refuse to come with us. He knows which side his bread is buttered.

See also: bread, know, side

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your bread and butter

something that provides you with regular income. Our customers are our bread and butter, so treat them with respect.

See also: bread

butter someone up

to praise someone in order to get them to like you or do what you want. The magazine tried to get her to write an article by buttering her up.