currying favor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "currying favor" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of trying to gain someone's approval or support through flattery or ingratiating behavior. Example: "He was always currying favor with the boss, hoping for a promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But I had no interest in currying favor with them.

The New Yorker

To Mr. Benno, "This is not about currying favor, it is about developing a relationship.

The New York Times

And neighboring Russia, which has long resented the base, has been currying favor with the opposition.

The New York Times

There was less and less work to be done, and little sense in currying favor.

The New Yorker

Other accounts say the Savarona was a gift to Ataturk from Turkish officials currying favor.

The New York Times

It's also important to note that there's political value for Son in currying favor with Trump.

The Washington Post

If you're not an athlete yourself, you get closer by currying favor.

The New York Times - Health

So all of the concern of me currying favor with my clients misperceives who I am".

The New York Times

"It can give the appearance of currying favor," Mr. Yaple said.

The New York Times

And in today's environment, currying favor with investment bankers will not be a top priority for Mr. Osborne.

The New York Times

So what should Jay Z be doing instead of currying favor with critics in an art gallery?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "currying favor" when you want to emphasize the act of trying to gain approval or advantage, often through flattery or subservience.

Common error

While "currying favor" is widely understood, consider using more formal alternatives like "seeking approval" or "gaining influence" in professional or academic writing to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "currying favor" functions as a verb phrase, typically describing an action taken to gain approval or advantage. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it often implies insincerity or ulterior motives. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "currying favor" is a verb phrase that describes the act of attempting to gain approval or advantage through flattery or subservience. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's a common expression, particularly in news and media, though less frequent in strictly formal or academic contexts, where alternatives like "seeking approval" might be preferred. The phrase often carries a negative connotation, suggesting insincerity or ulterior motives. Therefore, it is important to use the phrase where intent is to underline the negative, manipulative side of seeking support from someone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ingratiating oneself

Focuses on making oneself agreeable to gain favor.

seeking preferential treatment

Highlights the attempt to obtain advantages not available to others.

brown-nosing

An informal term for flattery to gain favor.

playing up to

Emphasizes adapting one's behavior to please someone.

toadying to

Implies being subservient to gain favor.

sucking up

Colloquial term implying excessive flattery.

kissing up

Similar to "sucking up", suggests insincere flattery.

sucking up to

A more emphatic version of "sucking up".

fawning over

Suggests excessive displays of affection or admiration.

buttering up

Suggests using flattery to soften someone up for a request.

FAQs

What does "currying favor" mean?

Currying favor means trying to gain someone's approval or support through flattery, ingratiating behavior, or offering gifts.

How to use "currying favor" in a sentence?

Example: "The politician was accused of "currying favor" with wealthy donors."

What can I say instead of "currying favor"?

You can use alternatives like "ingratiating oneself", "seeking approval", or "gaining influence" depending on the context.

Is "currying favor" a negative expression?

Yes, "currying favor" usually has a negative connotation, implying that the actions are insincere and motivated by personal gain. While it can be close to "seeking approval", the negative nuance is usually strong.