brown-nose

brown-nose {v.}, {slang}, {avoidable}, {though gaining in acceptance}

To curry favor in a subservient way, as by obviously exaggerated flattery.

Max brown-noses his teachers, that's why he gets all A's in his courses.

Compare: POLISH THE APPLE.

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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nose

[nose] See: [COUNT HEADS] or [COUNT NOSES], [CUT OFF ONE'S NOSE TO SPITE ONE'S FACE], [FOLLOW ONE'S NOSE], [GO INTO A TAIL SPIN] or [GO INTO A NOSE DIVE], [HARD-NOSED], […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

polish the apple

[polish the apple] {v. phr.}, {slang} To try to make someone like you; to try to win favor by flattery. * /Mary polished the apple at work because she wanted […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

curry favor

[curry favor] {v.} To flatter or serve someone to get his help or friendship. * /Joe tried to curry favor with the new teacher by doing little services that she […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

look down one's nose at

[look down one's nose at] {v. phr.}, {informal} To think of as worthless; feel scorn for. * /The banker's wife has beautiful china cups, and she looked down her nose […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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