Bootlicking: meaning, definitions and examples
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bootlicking
[ ˈbuːtˌlɪkɪŋ ]
behavior
The act of trying to gain favor or approval by acting in a servile or overly submissive manner, often towards someone in a position of authority.
Synonyms
flattery, obsequiousness, sycophancy
Examples of usage
- He was accused of bootlicking the boss in order to get a promotion.
- She was tired of the constant bootlicking in the office.
action
To behave in a servile or obsequious manner in order to gain favor or approval, especially from someone in a position of authority.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He spent hours bootlicking the manager to get a raise.
- Stop bootlicking and stand up for yourself!
Translations
Translations of the word "bootlicking" in other languages:
🇵🇹 bajulação
🇮🇳 चापलूसी
🇩🇪 Speichelleckerei
🇮🇩 penjilatan
🇺🇦 підлабузництво
🇵🇱 lizusostwo
🇯🇵 おべっか
🇫🇷 flagornerie
🇪🇸 adulación
🇹🇷 yalakalık
🇰🇷 아첨
🇸🇦 تزلف
🇨🇿 podlézání
🇸🇰 podlizovanie
🇨🇳 拍马屁
🇸🇮 lizunstvo
🇮🇸 sleikja
🇰🇿 жағымпаздық
🇬🇪 ლაქუცი
🇦🇿 yaltaklanma
🇲🇽 adulación
Etymology
The term 'bootlicking' originated in the 19th century and is believed to have come from the act of licking someone's boots as a sign of submission or obedience. It is often used in a derogatory manner to describe behavior that is overly submissive or sycophantic.