kiss up to: meaning & examples

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Language: English

Meanings:

  • 1.

    United StatesUnited Kingdomgeneral EnglishinformalderogatorycolloquialMachine
    • To attempt to obtain favor, privileges, or approval from someone (often an authority figure) by flattering, praising, or otherwise behaving obsequiously toward them.
    • To court the goodwill of another person through sycophantic or ingratiating actions, typically for personal advantage.

    Examples

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    • Jessica keeps kissing up to the principal, hoping to get into the honor society.

      Jessica ne cesse de lécher les bottes du principal, espérant entrer dans la société d'honneur.

    • Why are you kissing up to the client so much? Just do your job well and they'll appreciate it.

      Pourquoi lèches-tu autant les bottes du client? Fais simplement bien ton travail et ils l'apprécieront.

    • He kissed up to the hiring manager all interview long, but didn't get the job.

      Il a léché les bottes du responsable du recrutement tout au long de l'entretien, mais n'a pas obtenu le poste.

Examples:

  • EN: We'll have to kiss up to the old lady.
    ES: Debemos estar más cariñosos que nunca con la vieja.
  • EN: Don't kiss up to me!
    ES: ¡No me hagas la pelota!
  • EN: Go away. Why don't you go kiss up to Father while you've got the chance?
    ES: Ve a adular a papá mientras puedas.
  • EN: I wouldn't kiss up to the judge.
    ES: Yo no besuquearía al juez.
  • EN: And if you want to kiss up to me, feel free.
    ES: Y si quieres llevarme la contra, adelante.
  • EN: You think I just kiss up to Mom and Dad and pay the rent with good behaviour.
    ES: Pensás que beso a mamá y papá y pago la renta con buen comportamiento.
  • EN: He just wants to kiss up to her.
    ES: Solo quiere besársela.
  • EN: You kiss up to Baci and every other scumbag downtown with a nickel in their pocket.
    ES: Le besas el culo a Baci y a cada escoria que tenga una moneda en su bolsillo.
  • EN: He says I kiss up to him so he won't give me a bad haircut.
    ES: Dice que hago la pelota para que no lo corte mal. Dios mío.
  • EN: You just want to kiss up to him, so you can get your royal cufflinks.
    ES: Quieres congraciarte con él para tener tus gemelos reales.
  • EN: You better let me kiss up to the architect.
    ES: - Deja que yo seduzca al arquitecto.
  • EN: I mean, you've built this kiss up to be such a big deal.
    ES: Porque... porque le has dado a lo del beso tanta importancia que,
  • EN: I'll kiss up to her if you want.
    ES: Le daré un beso, si quieres.
  • EN: Don't kiss up to me.
    ES: No me hagas la barba.
  • EN: I don't know who to kiss up to anymore.
    ES: Ya no sé a quién adular.

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Source: Wiktionary

kiss up to: Meaning, Examples & Usage (English) | Idiomator