sweet talk

¹ American  

noun

Informal.

1. cajolery; soft soap.

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sweet-talk ² American  

[sweet-tawk] / ˈswitˌtɔk /

verb (used without object)

1. to use cajoling words.

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verb (used with object)

1. to use cajoling words on in order to persuade; soft-soap.

   They tried to sweet-talk the boss into giving them raises.

sweet-talk British  

verb

1. to coax, flatter, or cajole (someone)

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noun

1. cajolery; coaxing

sweet talk Idioms  

1. Flattery, cajolery, as in She uses sweet talk to get her way. [First half of 1900s]

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Etymology

Origin of sweet talk¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Origin of sweet-talk²

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

It’s a central theme in my book to help clarify that no amount of sweet talk can replace the inevitable loss, the inherent loss, that is adoption.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 25, 2023

Well, I know how to sweet talk a Taurus.

From Slate • Dec. 29, 2020

His next move was to sweet talk a superstar.

From The Guardian • Oct. 1, 2020

They can sweet talk you, and then you're backsliding.

From Salon • Mar. 5, 2019

“Dallas, don’t you go falling for sweet talk and trees and creeks. We’ve got to be ready to flee for the hills and catch that train, you hear?”

From "Ruby Holler" by Sharon Creech