kissing up
Seeking favor obsequiously
Kissing up is behaving obsequiously toward someone in a position of power or authority, typically to gain favor or advantage.
The image is of literally kissing someone's body in submission.
He's always kissing up to the boss.
Related expressions include *kiss-ass* and *kiss up to*.
- flatteryExcessive insincere praise
- buttering upExcessive flattery for advantage
- apple polisherOne who ingratiates obsequiously
- complimentsExpressions of admiration
- currying favorSeeking approval through flattery
praise · ego stroking · ingratiation · sycophancy · brown-nosing · brown noser · obsequiousness · kowtowing · kissing the ring · subservience · bootlicking · servility · yes-man · ass-kissing · sucking up · suck up · social climbing · climbing the ladder
- flatteryflatter, praise, flattery, compliment, compliments
- slang behaviorsgoofing off, messing around, fooling around, horsing around, slacking
- conformityconformity, conforming, conform, conformist, conformism
- insincerityinsincerity, phoniness, fakeness, falseness, pretense
social behavior toward authority
kissing upstanding up to
Opposing despite intimidation
defying · confronting · talking back · insubordination · defiance