kiss up to
Seek favor obsequiously
To kiss up to someone is to flatter or ingratiate oneself with them, usually to gain favor or advantage.
The phrase implies insincere deference toward someone in a position of power: He's always kissing up to the boss.
More polite than synonymous expressions like "brown-nose" or "suck up to."
- ingratiateSeek another's approval
- butter upFlatter insincerely for advantage
- flatterPraise to please
- sweet-talkFlatter to persuade
- brown-noseFawn obsequiously for advantage
suck up to · brown noser · kowtow · servile · deferential · obsequious · fawn · grovel · schmooze · submissive · yes man · apple-polish · teacher's pet · unctuous · compliment · authority · boss · superior
kiss up todefy
Resist or challenge openly
stand up to · disrespect · challenge · oppose · confront
kiss up tobackstab
Betray someone's trust
betray · insult · disrespect · snub · deceive
kiss up tokick down
Force open by stomping
punch down · bully · lord over · step on · look down on