kiss someone's arse
Seek favor obsequiously
To kiss someone's arse is to behave obsequiously toward them, flattering or deferring excessively to gain favor.
The image is of debasing oneself before a superior.
British English uses arse; American English prefers ass: He's always kissing the boss's arse.
Someone who habitually does this is an arse-kisser.
The phrase is vulgar but common in casual speech.
- brown-noseFawn obsequiously for advantage
- brown noserExcessive flatterer seeking approval
- sycophantServile praise-giver
- yes manUncritical agreeable subordinate
- kowtowExcessive deference shown physically
suck up to · bootlicker · bow and scrape · submission · deference · subservience · flatterer · curry favor · ingratiator · servile · patronage · toady · fawner · favoritism · lickspittle · groveler · suck-up · authority
DEFERENCE vs. DEFIANCE
kiss someone's arsestand up to
Confront without retreating
defy · talk back · tell off · put someone in their place · spit in someone's face