ENGLISH
REFERENCE

kiss ass

idiom
Meaning

to flatter or perform favors excessively, especially to receive preferential treatment from a boss or other superior; to behave obsequiously.


Examples
SIMPLE

He tries to kiss ass to get a promotion.

CONTEXTUAL

Everyone knows she only got the lead project because she spends all day kissing ass to the manager.

COMPLEX

Rather than relying on his own merits, he chose to kiss ass, hoping that constant sycophancy would secure his advancement within the firm.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    ass over teakettle

    Tumbling upside down.

  2. 02

    beat someone's ass

    To thrash someone.

  3. 03

    betray with a kiss

    To betray someone in a seemingly inconspicuous or innocuous manner.

  4. 04

    bite my ass

    Go away!; an expression of disdain or dismissal.

  5. 05

    bite my shiny metal ass

    An expression of discontent or aggravation to another party.

  6. 06

    blow a kiss

    To kiss one's own hand, then blow on it in a direction towards the recipient.

  7. 07

    bust ass

    To work hard, especially when trying to achieve a goal.

  8. 08

    cover someone's ass

    To make preparations or take precautions to ensure that a person is not blamed or punished for his or her conduct.

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