curry favor; seek personal gain
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to curry favor with those in power; to seek personal gain by fawning on influential people
derogatoryStrongly derogatory. Often collocates with words like 拍马 (to bootlick). Implies sycophantic behavior for selfish advancement.
Tā他
wèi为
le了
shēng升
guān官
fā发
cái财
，
sì四
chù处
zuān钻
yíng营
。
In order to get promoted and make a fortune, he went everywhere to curry favor.
Zhè这
ge个
rén人
zhǐ只
huì会
zuān钻
yíng营
pāi拍
mǎ马
，
méi没
yǒu有
zhēn真
běn本
shi事
。
This person only knows how to toady and bootlick, without any real ability.
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Tā他
zài在
guān官
chǎng场
zuān钻
yíng营
duō多
nián年
，
zhōng终
yú于
pá爬
shàng上
le了
gāo高
wèi位
。
After scheming and currying favor in official circles for many years, he finally climbed to a high position.