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to curry favor with somebody
01
to try to impress someone using insincere praise for personal gain
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "curry favor with someone" and when to use it?
The idiom "curry favor with someone" originated from an Old French word, "faveur," which means "favor" or "approval." In the 16th century, it evolved into the English phrase "curry favor," which means to seek or gain favor or approval from someone in a flattering or insincere way. The word "curry" here does not refer to the spice but rather comes from the Middle English word "cury," meaning "care" or "attention. This phrase is used to describe the act of trying to gain someone's favor or approval through flattery, praise, or insincere actions.
Example
The employee brought coffee for the entire team in an attempt to curry favor with colleagues.
Nearby Words