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

• The answer-I need to soften myself up ( for half an hour or so) before going to bed.
  答案是，在上床睡觉之前，我会花点时间，大约半小时，来放松自己。
• The way to eat a frozen pear is to first immerse it in cold boiled water. The pear will soon be coated with ice and then soften up gradually.
  吃冻梨要先把它放入凉开水中缓解，刚入水的梨会在表皮上结一层厚厚的冰，不多久就会软化。
• Told her it would soften him up.
  我说那会让他心软。
• The material has begun to soften up.
  材料开始变软了。
• 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。
• Soften me up for the big guns, eh?
  先软化我，再用厉害的武器，是吗？
• Relax, soften up internally and physically, and let it go.
  歇会儿，让心灵和身体放松，然后放手。
• She tried to soften up her sister by buying her some chocolates.
  她试图用巧克力来安抚她的妹妹。
• The frozen earth begins to soften up at the beginning of spring every year.
  每年一开春，冻土就开始融化。
• 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。