apple-polish

ap·ple–pol·ish

verb \ˈa-pəl-ˌpä-lish\

Definition of APPLE-POLISH

intransitive verb

: to attempt to ingratiate oneself : toady

transitive verb

: to curry favor with (as by flattery)

— ap·ple–pol·ish·er noun

Origin of APPLE-POLISH

from the traditional practice of schoolchildren bringing a shiny apple as a gift to their teacher

First Known Use: 1935

Related to APPLE-POLISH

Synonyms: apple-polish, bootlick, fuss, kowtow, suck (up), toady, truckle

Related Words: drool, gush, slaver, slobber; endear, ingratiate; court, woo; adulate, idolize, worship; blandish, cajole, coax, flatter, overpraise, soft-soap; cower, cringe, grovel; abase, debase, demean; defer, submit, yield

Near Antonyms: despise, disdain, scorn; gibe (or jibe), jeer, scoff; brave, challenge, defy

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Rhymes with APPLE-POLISH

spit-and-polish