brown-nosing

USAGE SUMMARY

"brown-nosing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who is excessively flattering or ingratiating themselves to someone in a position of power. Example: "He was always brown-nosing the boss to get ahead." Alternative expressions include "sucking up" and "kissing up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Traffic at Liverpool's airport nearly quadrupled.In this section Britain takes to the air Living apart The new underclass Ideas, at last Brown-nosing Punch-up ahead?

The Economist

The culture of brown-nosing becomes a costly competition during Teacher Appreciation Day, a national holiday in September, when students of all ages are expected to bring gifts.

The New York Times

SC: In a show where every character gets a layer or two, Bob can't just continue to be this insufferable brown-nosing puppet.

The New York Times

The chancellor will no doubt fill it with boring old engineering components he can flog to China next time he invites Xi Jinping over for some brown-nosing.

The Guardian - Opinion

His college yearbook chronicled his brown-nosing, remarking: 'Believe It Or Not - Bull Johnson has never taken a course in suction.' But, heck, did it work.

The Guardian - Books

Traffic at Liverpool's airport nearly quadrupled.In this section Bed2bed University challenge Britain takes to the air Living apart The new underclass Ideas, at last Brown-nosing Punch-up ahead?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Gifting "up" seems too much like brown nosing.

The New York Times

In an unusually wordy entry, the author likens Turkey's lokantas to American diners, unique for their old-world aura - "there's none of the superfluous banter, customer pampering, or brown nosing that can be part and parcel of many dining experiences".

The Guardian - Travel

In his final e-mail to his parents, on June 27th, he railed at the incompetence of his superiors, writing, "In the US army you are cut down for being honest … but if you are a conceited brown nosing shit bag you will be allowed to do what ever you want, and you will be handed your higher rank.… The system is wrong.

The New Yorker

Their brown noses disturbed the glassy water.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We daren't leave out the plug for the studio's name, muttered a brown-nose.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "brown-nosing", be mindful of your audience. While widely understood, it can be considered a pejorative term. Consider the context and choose a more neutral alternative if necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "brown-nosing" to describe genuine expressions of gratitude or admiration. "Brown-nosing" specifically implies a manipulative intent to gain favor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brown-nosing" functions primarily as a verb, often in its gerund form ("brown-nosing") or as a present participle. It describes the act of trying to gain favor with someone, usually a superior, through flattery and subservience. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brown-nosing" describes the act of trying to gain favor through flattery and subservience and functions as a verb. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. However, it is crucial to recognize that "brown-nosing" carries a negative connotation and is considered informal, best suited for News & Media contexts. While it appears in various sources, it's important to avoid using it in more formal settings like academic and scientific writing, where more neutral alternatives like "ingratiating oneself" are preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sucking up

An informal and direct way of describing "brown-nosing", implying insincerity.

kissing up

Similar to "sucking up", but perhaps even more blatant in its subservience.

buttering up

To flatter someone in the hopes of receiving preferential treatment.

bootlicking

A more vulgar synonym for "brown-nosing", indicating extreme obsequiousness.

toadying

Behaving like a 'toady', someone who flatters to gain advantage.

fawning

Suggests excessive flattery and display of affection.

currying favor

Implies actively seeking to gain someone's approval or support.

flattering

Focuses on the act of giving compliments, which is a key component of "brown-nosing".

apple-polishing

A more playful and somewhat dated term for "brown-nosing".

ingratiating oneself

A more formal way of describing the act of trying to gain favor.

FAQs

How can I use "brown-nosing" in a sentence?

You can use "brown-nosing" to describe someone who is excessively flattering or trying hard to please someone in authority, often for personal gain. For example: "He was accused of "brown-nosing" the manager to get a promotion."

What are some less harsh alternatives to "brown-nosing"?

If you want to avoid the negative connotation of "brown-nosing", consider alternatives like "flattering", "ingratiating oneself", or "currying favor".

Is "brown-nosing" considered formal or informal?

"Brown-nosing" is generally considered an informal term. In more formal settings, it's best to use more neutral language, such as "attempting to gain favor" or "seeking approval".

What's the difference between "brown-nosing" and simply being polite?

"Brown-nosing" implies insincerity and a manipulative intent to gain something. Politeness, on the other hand, is about showing respect and consideration without an ulterior motive.