soften up
Definition of soften up
1 : to treat (someone) very well or kindly in order to make that person more likely to help one, give one something, etc. He tried to soften her up by buying her flowers.
2 : to weaken (an enemy) through military attacks They used artillery to soften up the enemy's defenses before launching a full-scale attack.
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Word by Word Definitions
: in or into a higher position or level
: away from the center of the earth
: from beneath the ground or water to the surface
: risen above the horizon
: standing
: being out of bed
: used as a function word to indicate motion to or toward or situation at a higher point of
: up into or in the
: in a direction regarded as being toward or near the upper end or part of
: one in a high or advantageous position
: an upward slope
: a period or state of prosperity or success
: to rise from a lying or sitting position
: to move upward : ascend
: used with and and another verb to indicate that the action of the following verb was either surprisingly or abruptly initiated
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