lick someone's boots
Debase oneself servilely
To lick someone's boots is to behave obsequiously toward them, flattering or deferring excessively to gain favor: He's always licking the boss's boots.
The image is of groveling so completely that you'd clean someone's footwear with your tongue.
The related bootlicker describes someone who habitually does this.
- kowtowExcessive deference shown physically
- sycophantServile praise-giver
- kiss upFlatter obsequiously for gain
- bend the kneeCeremonial act of submission
- eat humble pieAdmit error humbly
kiss the ring · dominance · curry favor · fawn · brown-noser · apple polisher · yes man · ingratiation · hierarchy · bootlicker · truckle · play up to · toady · authority · obsequious · lickspittle · suck up · servile
lick someone's bootscall the shots
Exercise ultimate authority
lord it over · crack the whip · wear the pants · rule the roost · domineer
lick someone's bootsstand up to
Confront without retreating
defy · talk back · spit in someone's face · rebel · resist
lick someone's bootsstand tall
Maintain dignity under pressure
hold one's head high · stand on one's own two feet · walk tall
licks, licked, licking, licker, someone, boots, booted, booting, bootee