ENGLISH
REFERENCE

kiss up

idiom
Meaning

To pay false flattery to another, particularly a superior at work, in order to get special attention.


Examples
SIMPLE

He tries to kiss up to the boss every single day.

CONTEXTUAL

I dislike how she constantly kisses up to the manager just to get the best shifts.

COMPLEX

Rather than relying on his own professional merits, he chose to kiss up to the director in a transparent attempt to secure a promotion.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    betray with a kiss

    To betray someone in a seemingly inconspicuous or innocuous manner.

  2. 02

    blow a kiss

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

  3. 03

    hugs and kisses

    An informal way to end a letter, email etc. to a loved one.

  4. 04

    kiss and cry

    The publicly viewable enclosure in which figure skaters sit immediately after a performance, while they await and receive the judging results.

  5. 05

    kiss and make up

    To settle one's differences and forgive.

  6. 06

    kiss and tell

    To betray a confidence by disclosing private information, especially of a sexual nature.

  7. 07

    kiss arse

    Alternative form of kiss ass, to curry favour with the powerful by obsequious flattery.

  8. 08

    kiss ass

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

Last updated April 17, 2026