court favor
Definition
Verb (transitive or intransitive) To attempt to gain approval, support, or preferential treatment from someone, especially a person in authority, through obsequious, ingratiating, or flattering behavior. The action implies a calculated effort to win someone's goodwill, often for personal advantage.
Usage and Examples
The verb phrase "court favor" describes the act of deliberately trying to please someone powerful.
- He was accused of courting favor with the new manager by constantly praising her ideas.
- Politicians are often seen courting favor with influential donors.
- She refused to court favor and preferred to succeed based on her own merits.
Advanced Usage and Notes
- The object of the effort is typically introduced with the preposition "with" (e.g., court favor the boss).
- The phrase carries a generally negative connotation, suggesting insincerity, servility, or manipulation rather than genuine respect or admiration.
- It can be used in both continuous ("is courting favor") and simple tenses ("courted favor").
Variants and Related Words
- Court favour: The British English spelling.
- Curry favor: A more common synonym with identical meaning and usage. (Note: This is listed separately as it is a distinct, though synonymous, phrasal verb).
- Ingratiate oneself: A more formal synonym meaning to bring oneself into favor.
- Fawn (upon/over): A verb meaning to flatter or display affection in a servile manner.
- Sycophancy (n.): The behavior or practice of a sycophant; obsequious flattery.
Synonyms
Seek favor, ingratiate oneself, flatter, toady, pander, suck up to (informal), butter up (informal), brown-nose (vulgar slang).
Antonyms
Defy, oppose, confront, displease, alienate, offend.
Idioms and Related Phrases
- Play up to someone: To flatter or try to please someone, especially to gain an advantage.
- Kiss up to someone (informal): To behave obsequiously toward someone in authority.
- Fall out of favor: To lose approval or support, the opposite result of courting favor.
Verb
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seek favor by fawning or flattery
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This employee is currying favor with his superordinates
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