curry favor with; fawn on
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to curry favor with; to fawn on; to toady to
literaryLiterary usage describing the act of flattering and echoing those in power to gain advantage. Typically carries a negative connotation.
Tā他
wéi为
rén人
zhèng正
zhí直
，
cóng从
bù不
ē阿
fù附
quán权
guì贵
。
He is an upright person and never curries favor with the powerful.
Gǔ古
dài代
cháo朝
tíng廷
zhōng中
，
ē阿
fù附
quán权
guì贵
de的
dà大
chén臣
wǎng往
wǎng往
néng能
dé得
dào到
zhòng重
yòng用
。
In ancient courts, ministers who fawned on the powerful often received high positions.
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Zhè这
zhǒng种
ē阿
fù附
quán权
guì贵
de的
xíng行
wéi为
lìng令
rén人
bù不
chǐ齿
。
This kind of behavior of currying favor with the powerful is contemptible.