pander to him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pander to him" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of indulging or catering to someone's desires or preferences, often in a way that is seen as insincere or manipulative. Example: "The politician seemed to pander to him, promising everything he wanted just to secure his vote."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Maybe because the news media pander to him and the authorities are scared of him.

The New York Times - Sports

They knew that John Robert Starr had a tremendous ego, that he was weak, that they could pander to him.

The New Yorker

("Dignity" is Kennedy's favorite word, and it's funny to listen to lawyers pander to him by throwing it in at every opportunity).

The New Yorker

In a piece last year, Ms. Brick wrote that she learned early in her career to "clock within seconds who the important male was in any room and pander to him accordingly".

The New York Times

But it also clear that he is not economically literate and lacks public policy experience and is surrounded by people who pander to him," a western academic who insists on remaining anonymous said.

The Guardian

Smarter people pander to him, to tap his power.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

For millennia, readers have interpreted the story of "Adam and Eve" by pandering to him and blaming her for their expulsion from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2-3).

Columbia University

Seif was born to unfathomable wealth; wielded considerable power; moved among glamorous people; had endless attendants pandering to him.

The New Yorker

For now, though, Farage is setting the political agenda, and some of the other parties, particularly the Conservatives, are pandering to him.

The New Yorker

From the late 1950s through the early '70s, as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, he was the most powerful member of Congress; U.S. presidents and corporate chiefs pandered to him.

The New York Times

Pulis was looking for brownie points and it fell neatly into Keane's conviction that his former manager used to have a clique of yes-men pandering to him.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pander to him" when you want to express that someone is insincerely trying to please another person, often for personal gain or manipulation. Ensure that the context clarifies the insincerity or self-serving nature of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "pander to him" in overly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound too informal or critical. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "cater to him" or "accommodate his preferences" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pander to him" functions as a verb phrase describing the act of catering to someone's desires, often with insincerity or for personal gain. This aligns with Ludwig's confirmation of its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2.5%

Encyclopedias

2.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pander to him" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe the act of insincerely catering to someone's desires, often for personal gain. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English. While it appears frequently in news and media contexts, its usage in more formal or academic settings should be considered carefully, as it can carry a negative connotation. Alternatives such as "flatter him" or "curry favor with him" may be more appropriate depending on the desired tone. When employing "pander to him", ensure the context clearly indicates the insincerity or manipulative intent behind the actions being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flatter him

Focuses specifically on using compliments to gain favor.

curry favor with him

Suggests seeking favor through subservient behavior.

ingratiate oneself with him

Implies a deliberate attempt to gain his approval.

fawn over him

Implies excessive attention and affection, often insincere.

kowtow to him

Indicates excessive deference and submission.

toady to him

Suggests being obsequious and sycophantic.

play up to him

Suggests subtly manipulating a situation to gain his favor.

suck up to him

An informal and negative way to describe seeking favor.

butter him up

An idiom for flattering someone before making a request.

brown-nose him

Similar to "suck up to him", but slightly more vulgar.

FAQs

How can I use "pander to him" in a sentence?

You can use "pander to him" to describe actions taken to please someone, often insincerely. For example, "The politician seemed to "pander to him", promising everything he wanted just to secure his vote."

What does it mean to "pander to" someone?

To "pander to" someone means to gratify or indulge their desires or tastes, especially if it involves doing something that is not morally right or showing insincerity.

What can I say instead of "pander to him"?

You can use alternatives like "flatter him", "curry favor with him", or "ingratiate oneself with him" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "pander to him" a formal or informal expression?

"Pander to him" is generally considered a neutral to slightly informal expression. It is acceptable in many contexts but might be replaced with a more formal alternative like "cater to his needs" in highly formal writing.