angles for
Fishes for subtly
To angle for something is to try to obtain it through indirect or subtle means rather than asking directly: He's obviously angling for a promotion.
The metaphor comes from fishing—casting a line and waiting rather than grabbing what you want.
She kept mentioning her birthday, clearly angling for a gift.
- manipulatesControls through cunning
- hintsIndirect suggestions
- flirtsPlayfully shows attraction
- ingratiatesSeeks favor through flattery
- curries favorSeeks approval through flattery
butters up · competes · maneuvers · jockeys · plays the game · suggests · vies · schemes · courts · plots · strategizes · implies · wheedles · hustles · charms · networks · positions · appeals