おだてる
おだてる
ichidan verb, transitive
to flatter; to coax; to butter up
1.
to flatter; to butter up
To praise someone excessively, often insincerely, to put them in a good mood or get them to do something.
部下をおだてて仕事をさせる。
To flatter subordinates into doing work.
おだてられると調子に乗ってしまう。
When flattered, I tend to get carried away.
子供をおだてて勉強させようとしたが、見抜かれた。
I tried to coax the child into studying by flattering them, but they saw through it.
TRANSITIVITY:
Transitive verb (他動詞). The person being flattered takes を.
PROVERB:
- 豚もおだてりゃ木に登る - Even a pig will climb a tree if you flatter it enough (flattery can motivate anyone)
COMPARISON:
- おだてる - to flatter (with insincere praise to get something)
- 褒める - to praise (can be genuine)
- お世辞を言う - to pay compliments (formal flattery)
- 持ち上げる - to praise/elevate someone
USAGE NOTE:
Often implies the flattery is insincere or has an ulterior motive.