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Glite Dictionary
to keep someone sweet

to keep someone sweet

1 8.1
Make someone like you by giving them small gifts or help
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : mantener a alguien contento
  • To ensure he continues to support the project, you should keep him sweet by bringing coffee and donuts to the meetings.

Examples

  • The company gave its best customers extra discounts to keep them sweet.

  • He always brings her flowers to keep her sweet.

  • Politicians often try to keep key voters sweet during elections.

  • You should keep her sweet if you want her support.

  • Did you manage to keep them sweet during the negotiations?

  • If you want a successful negotiation, it's best to keep the client sweet with a few extra perks.

  • She knows that keeping her boss sweet will help her get the promotion she wants.

Synonyms

to sweet-talk
vsto keep someone sweet
  • Informal
23 5.3

To persuade someone by saying nice things to them

aims to maintain goodwill by offering benefits or favors beyond mere words
to honey
vsto keep someone sweet
  • Informal
1 8.1

To speak very kindly to someone to get something from them

focuses on preserving goodwill through actions or offers, not only flattering words

Antonyms

to offend
524 2.8

Cause a person to feel hurt, upset and angry because of your words or actions

to alienate
123 6.7

To make someone feel alone and lose support from others

How Favorable

to keep someone sweet
  • Informal
1 8.1
to do someone any favors
  • Informal
48 5.1
to flatter
100 3.6

Surface Forms

keep someone sweet infinitive
kept someone sweet past
kept someone sweet past participle
keeping someone sweet present participle
keeps someone sweet third person singular

Morphology

keep + someone + sweet

The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents: 'keep' (maintain) + 'someone' + 'sweet' (pleased, agreeable) yields 'maintain someone's goodwill or keep them pleased'. This compositional use of 'sweet' metaphorically meaning 'pleased/friendly' is common and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows the words would likely infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Keep someone sweet may come from the simple image of giving someone sweet treats or small gifts so you keep them happy. So, it now means 'act to keep someone on your good side', often by offering favors or pleasant things.