kiss up en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Meanings
-
(idiomatic, transitive) To pay false flattery to another, particularly a superior at work, in order to get special attention.
Yes, I watched Joe kissing up the boss and was very annoyed when he got my promotion!
-
(idiomatic, intransitive) To pay false flattery.
He kisses up more than he works.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| kisses up | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| kissing up | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| kissed up | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| kissed up | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| kiss-up | alternative | lexicographic |
Deriveds
Relateds
Synonyms
fawn over · toady · overpraise · overflatter · honey up · butter up · suck up · brownnose · fellate · honey around · butter up · fawn · apple-polish · lick someone's balls · bootlick · kiss someone's ring · lick someone's ass · kiss someone's ass · kowtow · overrate · duchess · flannel · fawn · bow and scrape · kiss up · dickride · toady