bootlicking

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bootlicking

A junior employee is bootlicking the manager during a meeting.

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Attempting to win favor by flattery: The behavior of someone who uses excessive praise, compliments, or servile attention to gain approval or special treatment from another person.
    • Attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery: Specifically describes the act of fawning over or ingratiating oneself with individuals in positions of power, authority, or high status.
Usage
  • The adjective "bootlicking" is used to describe a person, their behavior, or their attitude. It is a disapproving term that implies insincerity, weakness, and a lack of integrity. It is typically used attributively (before a noun) or predictively (after a linking verb).
  • Attributive use: Describes a noun directly.
    • He was tired of the bootlicking assistant who agreed with everything the boss said.
  • Predictive use: Describes the subject via a linking verb like "is" or "was".
    • Her behavior at the party was utterly bootlicking; she followed the CEO around all night.
Examples
  • The journalist was criticized for writing a bootlicking article about the politician, omitting any mention of his failures.
  • He got the promotion not through merit but through bootlicking and sycophancy.
  • I despise the bootlicking culture in that office where people laugh at the manager's unfunny jokes.
Advanced Usage
  • "Bootlicking" can be used in a figurative sense to describe actions beyond verbal flattery, such as performing unnecessary favors or displaying exaggerated deference.
    • His bootlicking included bringing coffee every morning and offering to wash his superior's car.
  • The term often carries a strong connotation of moral contempt from the speaker or writer.
Variants and Related Words
  • Bootlick (verb): To behave in a servile or flattering way.
    • He would bootlick anyone he thought could help his career.
  • Bootlicker (noun): A person who bootlicks; a sycophant or toady.
    • The director was surrounded by bootlickers who never told him the truth.
Synonyms
  • Sycophantic: Behaving or done in an obsequious way to gain advantage.
  • Obsequious: Obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree.
  • Fawning: Displaying exaggerated flattery or affection.
  • Toadying: Acting in an obsequious manner to gain favor.
Antonyms
  • Independent: Free from outside control; not influenced by others.
  • Assertive: Having or showing a confident and forceful personality.
  • Frank: Open, honest, and direct in speech or writing.
Related Phrases and Idioms
  • Kiss up to someone: (Informal idiom) To flatter or be servile toward someone, especially to gain favor.
    • He's always kissing up to the new boss.
  • Suck up to someone: (Informal, derogatory idiom) To ingratiate oneself with someone through flattery or servile behavior.
    • She's just sucking up to the teacher to get a better grade.
bootlicking

A junior employee is bootlicking the manager during a meeting.

Adjective
  1. attempting to win favor by flattery
  2. attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery

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