bootlick
/'bu:tlik/
Definition
- Verb:
- To behave obsequiously toward someone in authority in order to gain favor or advantage. This involves excessive flattery, fawning, or servile behavior.
Usage
- The verb "bootlick" describes the act of trying to win someone's approval, especially a superior, through overly deferential and insincere praise or attention. It carries a strong negative connotation of weakness and lack of integrity.
- It is typically used in informal or critical contexts.
- Common Constructions:
to bootlick+ [person]to bootlick+ [one's way] + [into/to something]
Examples
- Verb:
- He was accused of trying to bootlick the manager for a promotion.
- She refuses to bootlick, preferring to earn respect through hard work.
- They saw him bootlicking the new director at the party.
Advanced Usage
- "to bootlick one's way into favor": To gain favorable treatment through servile behavior.
- He bootlicked his way into the CEO's inner circle.
Variants and Related Words
- Bootlicker (n): A person who bootlicks; a sycophant or toady.
- Everyone disliked the office bootlicker.
- Bootlicking (n/adj): The act or practice of bootlicking; characteristic of a bootlicker.
- His bootlicking attitude was transparent to his colleagues.
Synonyms
- Fawn: To flatter or praise excessively.
- Kowtow: To act in an excessively subservient manner.
- Toady: To be obsequious to someone important.
- Suck up (to) (idiomatic, informal): To try to gain favor through flattery.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "Brown-nose" (vulgar slang): To behave in a servile, flattering manner.
- He's always brown-nosing the teacher.
- "Curry favor": To seek to gain favor by flattery or attention.
- She brought coffee every morning to curry favor with her boss.
Verb
-
try to gain favor by cringing or flattering
-
He is always kowtowing to his boss
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