# brown noser

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/brown-noser
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

One who brownnoses (flatters or humors somebody in an obsequious manner for personal gain); one who sucks up; a bootlicker, dickrider, ass-kisser, sycophant.

## Examples

- 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.

## Origin

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.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.