Truth, Secrecy, & Deception - Flattery & Bragging
Discover how English idioms like "fish for a compliment" and "bow and scrape" relate to flattery and bragging in English.
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![to [bow] and [scrape]](/assets/img/no-pic-700w.png "to [bow] and [scrape]")
to bow and scrape
[phrase]
to treat someone in authority with high respect, particularly in order to get their approval
Ex: He bows and scrapes whenever the director walks into the room.
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Sign into kiss one's ass
[phrase]
to try to get something from a person by showing insincere kindness to them
Ex: He keeps kissing the boss's ass because he wants a promotion.
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Sign into fish for a compliment
[phrase]
to get people to praise one, often by pretending not to be happy with oneself
Ex: Stop fishing for compliments; you know the dress looks great on you.
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Sign inall mouth (and no trousers)
[phrase]
used to describe someone who never puts their word into action
Ex: He keeps promising to start his own business, but he is all mouth and no trousers.
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Sign into lick one's boots
[phrase]
to try to please or get closer to someone for one's personal gain
Ex: He licks the manager's boots because he wants an easier schedule.
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Sign into talk a big game
[phrase]
to speak confidently or boastfully, especially before proving oneself
Ex: He talks a big game, but he rarely follows through.
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Sign into blow one's own horn
[phrase]
to brag about one's own success or abilities
Ex: He hates to blow his own horn, but his work was excellent.
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Sign in| Truth, Secrecy, & Deception | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deception | Secrecy | Keeping Secrets | Lying & Exaggeration |
| Obviousness | Pretense | Revealing Secrets | Depth & Surface |
| Trust & Honesty | Truthfulness | Flattery & Bragging | |
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