Crossword Genius

Flatter the person you've just toasted? (6,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

butter up

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'flatter' is the definition.
(buttering up is a kind of flattering)

'person you've just toasted?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'person' could be 'butter' (butter is a kind of person) and 'butter' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'up' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for butter up that I've seen before include "Flatter using dairy product? (6, 2)" , "Soft-soap" , "Flatter using common dairy product" , "Flatter for a purpose" , "like 17 [SWEET TALK]" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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