brown noser
One who brownnoses (flatters or humors somebody in an obsequious manner for personal gain); one who sucks up; a bootlicker, dickrider, ass-kisser, sycophant.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Nobody likes the brown noser in our office.”
“She calls him a brown noser because he always stays late to impress people.”
“He is such a brown noser that he brings the boss coffee every single morning.”
“The new employee acts like a brown noser by laughing at every single joke the director makes during meetings.”
“You will look like a brown noser if you agree with the teacher even when they are clearly wrong about the facts.”
“The team grew tired of his constant praise for the manager, eventually labeling him a transparent brown noser.”
The term is derived from a literal, metaphorical image involving the kissing of another person's buttocks. The suggestion is that such a position brings the nose into direct contact with feces, thereby staining it. Although the underlying concept of sycophancy is ancient, this specific vulgarism relies on the visual consequence of excessive social proximity.
- 01
brown bag
A short presentation or seminar on a given subject, especially one given at lunchtime.
- 02
brown bread
Dead.
- 03
brown power
The production of electricity made from conventional sources, such as coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power.
- 04
brown study
A melancholy mood accompanied by deep thought; a moody daydream.
- 05
brown thumb
A lack of skill at growing plants; a poor gardening skill.
- 06
browned off
Annoyed, upset, angry, bored, fed up, disgusted
- 07
take someone to brown town
To have anal sex with someone.
- 08
take the Browns to the Super Bowl
To defecate.
Last updated August 10, 2026