fawning over someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fawning over someone" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is excessively flattering or showing affection towards another person, often in a way that seems insincere or overly eager. Example: "She was fawning over the celebrity, showering him with compliments and attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Dishonest behavior in relationships can include: Fawning over someone even though you don't particularly like them.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Fawned over, hailed as a genius, he indulged his hubris.

The Guardian - Money

Welch was fawned over by security analysts for seemingly making his numbers every quarter.

The Washington Post

He's a celebrity you can fawn over without feeling sheepish about our fawning celebrity culture.

Huffington Post

The president reportedly fawned over Garcia Marquez, telling him he'd read everything he'd ever written.

Los Angeles Times

People will look and see the owner fawning all over someone and say, 'Who is that schmendrick?' and what it comes down to is that this is a patron who is loyal in good times and in bad".

The New York Times - Food

Rather than run uninterrupted video of someone fawning over a fridge, the company offered customers a way to click on various parts of each appliance to view short audio clips about distinct parts of the equipment.

The New York Times - Tech

To accuse someone of fawning over Americans or of aping their customs or of merely having ties with the United States is nothing new in Venezuelan politics.

The New York Times

Ex-players fawning over Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

The Guardian - Sport

He gets used to people fawning over him.

The Economist

How did he handle attention and people fawning over him?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fawning over someone" to depict insincere or excessive flattery aimed at gaining favor or manipulating the target. It's more impactful when portraying social dynamics and power imbalances.

Common error

While descriptive, avoid repetitive use of "fawning over someone" within the same text. Opt for synonyms like "lavishing praise" or "idolizing" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fawning over someone" primarily functions as a verb phrase describing an action. It depicts the act of excessively flattering or showing affection towards someone, often with an insincere or self-serving motive. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase suggests a type of dishonest behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fawning over someone" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe excessive and often insincere flattery. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage across various contexts. It's primarily found in news and media, but also appears in wikis and formal business writing. The phrase generally carries a negative connotation, implying manipulation or a desire for personal gain. When writing, it's best to reserve "fawning over someone" for situations where the insincerity of the flattery is a key element. Consider alternatives like "lavishing praise on someone" or "idolizing someone" to add nuance and avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lavishing praise on someone

This alternative focuses on the abundant and often excessive compliments.

excessively adulating someone

This alternative highlights the extreme level of admiration being displayed.

idolizing someone excessively

This alternative suggests placing someone on a pedestal and admiring them to an extreme degree.

obsequiously praising someone

This alternative focuses on the submissive and overly attentive behavior.

sycophantically flattering someone

This alternative emphasizes the insincere and self-serving nature of the flattery.

ingratiating oneself with someone

This alternative emphasizes the attempt to gain favor or approval.

showing undue deference to someone

This alternative indicates an excessive level of respect and submission.

buttering someone up

This alternative is an idiom that suggests flattery with an ulterior motive.

toadying to someone

This alternative emphasizes the servile and opportunistic nature of the flattery.

kowtowing to someone

This alternative highlights the subservient and deferential behavior.

FAQs

What does it mean to "fawn over someone"?

To "fawn over someone" means to show excessive flattery or affection, often in a way that seems insincere or overly eager. It suggests an attempt to gain favor or approval through exaggerated compliments and attention.

How can I use "fawning over someone" in a sentence?

You can use "fawning over someone" to describe situations where someone is being excessively flattering. For example: "The employees were "fawning over the boss" in hopes of getting a promotion."

What are some alternatives to "fawning over someone"?

Some alternatives to "fawning over someone" include "lavishing praise on someone", "idolizing someone", or "showing undue deference to someone". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "fawning over someone" a negative expression?

Yes, "fawning over someone" generally has a negative connotation. It implies that the person is being insincere or manipulative in their flattery, often with the intention of gaining something from the other person.