brown-nose Hear it!

brown-nose Definition

☆ brown·-nose (-nōz′)

transitive verb, intransitive verb -·nosed′, -·nos′·ing

Slang to seek favor or approval from (someone) by obsequious behavior; fawn (on)

Etymology: from the image of currying favor by kissing someone's buttocks

noun

Slang one who brown-noses

brown-nose Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • anyone: An inveterate snob, prepared to brown-nose anyone with a bit of breeding, Basil is unfortunately an appalling judge of character.