kiss someone's ass
To flatter someone (especially a superior) in an obsequious manner, and to support their every opinion to gain their favor.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He tries to kiss his boss's ass to get a promotion.”
“You do not need to kiss my ass to get a fair grade.”
“I refuse to kiss my manager's ass just to get a better seat in the office.”
“Some people will kiss the director's ass just because they want to be cast in the next big play.”
“The new employee is constantly kissing the supervisor's ass by agreeing with every single word she says during meetings.”
“The ambitious junior associate spent his entire evening kissing the senior partner's ass in hopes of securing a partnership.”
First recorded in the mid-20th century, though the sentiment of total subservience is considerably older. The expression relies upon the status of the buttocks as a site of social vulgarity; to press one’s lips to another person’s anatomy in this manner is presented as the ultimate gesture of submission and the procurement of patronage. The act suggests a level of devotion that is as medically unnecessary as it is socially degrading.
- 01
another nail in someone's coffin
An event that increases the likelihood of or causes further failure.
- 02
answer someone's prayers
To be or do exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.
- 03
answer to someone's prayers
Exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.
- 04
apple of someone's eye
The object of somebody's affections; a person (or sometimes a thing) that someone strongly prefers; a favorite, a loved one.
- 05
ass over teakettle
Tumbling upside down.
- 06
bane of someone's existence
Someone or something that poses a significant problem to someone.
- 07
bash someone's face in
To beat someone violently.
- 08
bash someone's head
To beat up someone violently.
Last updated August 10, 2026