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sweet nothings

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

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Pronunciation

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Noun

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Examples

I love the way your eyes glimmer in the candlelight

sweet nothings pl (normally plural, singular sweet nothing)

  1. (idiomatic) Insubstantial or romantic words that are only meant to flatter, woo, or seduce.
    • 1904, George Gissing, chapter 28, in Veranilda:
      Hearing such words as these, in the sweetest, tenderest voice that ever caressed a lover's senses, Basil knew not how to word all that was in his heart. . . . Side by side, forgetful of all but their recovered peace, they talked sweet nothings.
    • 1922 February, James Joyce, “[Episode 16]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, [], →OCLC:
      [T]he facts, to make matters worse, were made public with the usual affectionate letters that passed between them, full of sweet nothings.
    • 2004 April 25, Joe Klein, “Does Bush Really Get Us?”, in Time[1], archived from the original on 2010-11-03:
      It is difficult to know how accurate this portrait is, and how much of it consists of sweet nothings whispered into the author's ear by loyal retainers.

Usage notes

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  • Often used in an expression of the form: to whisper sweet nothings into someone's ear.

Translations

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