Brownnose Meaning in English
word
ˈbraʊnˌnoʊz
BROWN-nohz
ˈbraʊnˌnəʊz
BROWN-nohz
Definition
To try to win someone's favor, especially a boss or someone with power, by acting extra nice or flattering them in an insincere way.
Usage & Nuances
Informal, mildly negative or mocking. Used especially to criticize someone for obvious flattery toward a boss or teacher. Often used as a verb ('to brownnose') or as a noun ('a brownnoser'). In British English, 'suck up' is similar. Don't use in formal writing.
Spanish: adular - hacer la pelotaPortuguese (BR): bajular - puxar o sacoPortuguese (PT): bajular - fazer graxaChinese (Simplified): 拍马屁Chinese (Traditional): 拍馬屁Hindi: चापलूसी करनाArabic: يتملقBengali: তেল মারা - তোষামোদ করাRussian: подлизываться - льстить (из корыстных побуждений)Japanese: ごますりをするVietnamese: nịnh bợ - xu nịnhKorean: 아부하다 - 알랑거리다Turkish: yağ çekmek - yalakalık yapmakUrdu: خوشامد کرناIndonesian: menjilat - cari muka
Example Sentences
He always tries to brownnose the boss.
basic
She doesn't like to brownnose her teachers.
basic
You shouldn't brownnose to get a promotion.
basic
He's always brownnosing in meetings, it's so obvious.
natural
Stop trying to brownnose—everyone can tell what you're doing.
natural
Some people brownnose just to get ahead, but it usually backfires.
natural