flatter him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flatter him" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to compliment or praise someone in order to please or impress them. Example: "She knew she needed to flatter him if she wanted him to agree to her proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She didn't flatter him.

The New Yorker

Figures of three for 49 did not flatter him.

The Guardian - Sport

The powers of the apartment complex manager increase, and the tenants flatter him.

The New Yorker

Ana did, however, flatter him into leaving their pampered life in Spain for empire's fatal edges.

The New York Times - Books

That debate rages still, drowning out realities that potentially flatter him.

The New York Times

Why, I wondered, did so many of my journalistic colleagues flatter him so?

The New Yorker

The attention of a return would flatter him, but Lewis stressed that he was done.

The New York Times - Sports

Lear has banished Cordelia, his favorite daughter, for her failure to flatter him.

The New York Times - Magazine

"To call him a fascist is to flatter him," he added.

The New York Times - Books

So he is offended to the core when Cordelia will not flatter him.

The Guardian

Then they flatter him because the Führer himself has read the book.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flatter him" when you want to express that someone is using compliments or praise, often insincerely, to gain favor or influence over a male individual.

Common error

Avoid excessive or insincere flattery, as it can be perceived as manipulative and damage your credibility. Use genuine appreciation instead of empty praise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flatter him" functions as a verb phrase where the verb 'flatter' takes 'him' as a direct object. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and means to compliment someone to please or impress them.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flatter him" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase meaning to compliment or praise a male individual, often to gain favor or influence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English. Its usage is most prevalent in news and media contexts, and while the act of flattery can sometimes have negative connotations, the phrase itself is neutral. Related phrases include "ingratiate oneself with him" and "curry favor with him", offering similar meanings with slight variations in nuance. When using the phrase, ensure genuine appreciation to avoid being perceived as manipulative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

curry favor with him

Implies seeking favor, often through flattery or subservient behavior.

ingratiate oneself with him

Focuses on the act of bringing oneself into favor with someone, highlighting effort and intention.

butter him up

Implies using flattery to make someone more receptive or agreeable; it focuses on the softening effect.

compliment him excessively

Directly points to giving many compliments, perhaps insincerely, for a specific purpose.

praise him effusively

Highlights exuberant and unrestrained praise, potentially with the aim of influencing the person.

fawn over him

Expresses excessive flattery and attention, often in a way that seems insincere or manipulative.

brown-nose him

Suggests excessive flattery, typically for personal gain. This is a more informal and negative term.

suck up to him

Similar to "brown-nose", indicating insincere flattery for personal benefit; it's colloquial and often disapproving.

toady to him

Indicates behaving like a sycophant, fawning over someone for personal gain or advancement.

soften him with praise

Emphasizes the goal of making someone more agreeable through compliments.

FAQs

How can I use "flatter him" in a sentence?

You can use "flatter him" to describe an action where someone is trying to please another person, often to get something they want. For example: "She tried to "flatter him" to get a promotion".

What's a more neutral alternative to "flatter him"?

If you want to avoid the implication of insincerity, you could use phrases like "compliment him" or "praise him".

Is it always wrong to "flatter him"?

Not necessarily. It depends on your intentions and the context. If your praise is genuine and not manipulative, it can be a positive interaction. However, insincere flattery is often viewed negatively.

What's the difference between ""flatter him"" and "suck up to him"?

"Suck up to him" is a more informal and negative way of saying ""flatter him"", implying excessive and insincere flattery, usually for personal gain.