IdiomDaily LifeEnglish

sweet-talk

Meaning: To persuade someone with flattery.

Example: “She sweet-talked the guard into letting her in after closing time.”

Origin: American English from the 1930s, from "sweet talk," flattering or loving words.

Equivalents in other languages

More English idioms

Explore another collection: False Friends

Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

  • Fame Actually means 'hunger'. Ho fame = I'm hungry. For fame (renown), say fama.
  • Vaso Actually means 'a drinking glass'. A vase (for flowers) is un jarrón or florero.
  • Pasta Actually means 'folder' or 'briefcase'. Pasta (the food) is massa.

Browse all false friends →

Keep exploring

Explore all idioms →