sweeten

sweeten (up) the deal

Fig. to make a bargain or a business transaction more appealing by adding value to the transaction. The dealer sweetened the deal by throwing in free car washes. He wasn't willing to do anything to sweeten the deal, so I left. She sweetened up the deal with a little extra money.

See also: deal

sweeten someone up

to make someone more pleasant. I had hoped that a week in the Caribbean would sweeten him up. The trip sweetened him up, but not for long.

See also: up

sweeten something up

to make something taste sweeter. Where is the sugar? I need to sweeten this up a little. A little sugar will sweeten up the coffee.

See also: up

sweeten the pot

Fig. to increase the amount of money bet in a card game with hopes of encouraging other players to bet more enthusiastically. John sweetened the pot hoping others would follow.

See also: pot

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sugar/sweeten the pill  (British, American & Australian) also sugar-coat the pill (American)

to make something bad seem less unpleasant The government have cut income tax to sweeten the pill of a tough budget.

See also: pill, sugar