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to curry favor
01
to try to gain advantage by flattery or submissive behavior
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "curry favor" and when to use it?
The idiom "curry favor" 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.
Examples
She tried to curry favor with the boss by constantly complimenting his ideas.
The politician attempted to curry favor with the voters by promising tax cuts.
