soft-soaping
Laying it thick
Soft-soaping is flattery or smooth talk designed to persuade or manipulate someone.
The image comes from soft soap—a liquid or semi-liquid soap that spreads easily—suggesting words that glide smoothly to get what you want: He was soft-soaping the boss to get Friday off.
The approach is gentle rather than aggressive, but the intent is self-serving.
Flatter to persuade
- complimentsExpressions of admiration
- adulationExtravagant, servile praise
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
- sycophancyObsequious behavior toward authority
obsequiousness · ingratiation · blandishments · schmoozing · smooth-talk · overpraise · toadying · unctuousness
Persuading through flattery
- coaxingPersuading through gentle persistence
- wheedlingPersuading through flattery
- charmAttractive personal quality
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
convincing · sweet-talking · enticement · seduction · diplomacy · tactfulness · subtlety · eloquence
sweet-talk
Flatter to persuade
- complimentsExpressions of admiration
- adulationExtravagant, servile praise
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
sycophancy · obsequiousness · ingratiation · blandishments · schmoozing · smooth-talk · overpraise · toadying · unctuousness · silver-tongued
cajoling
Persuading through flattery
- coaxingPersuading through gentle persistence
- wheedlingPersuading through flattery
- charmAttractive personal quality
manipulation · convincing · sweet-talking · enticement · seduction · diplomacy · tactfulness · subtlety · eloquence · rhetoric
placating
Easing another's anger
- mollifyingReducing anger or hostility
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- pacifyingCalming someone agitated
appeasing · calming · disarming · humoring · coddling · pampering · gentling · tempering · mitigating · easing
- flatteryflatter, praise, flattery, compliment, compliments
soft-soapingbeing honest
Stating facts sincerely
speaking frankly · telling the truth · straight talk · leveling with · telling it like it is
soft-soapingbullying
Aggressive repeated intimidation
strong-arming · coercing · intimidating · threatening · pressuring
soft-soapinglaying into
Attacking with harsh criticism
berating · lambasting · castigating · excoriating · dressing down
soft, soaping, soap, soaps, soaped, soapy, soapier, soapiest, soapiness