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brown-nose - 2 dictionary results

brown-nose

[broun-nohz] verb, -nosed, -nos⋅ing, noun Slang.
–verb (used without object)
1. to curry favor; behave obsequiously.
–verb (used with object)
2. to seek favors from (a person) in an obsequious manner; fawn over.
–noun
3. Also, brown-noser. a toady; sycophant.
Compare ass-kissing.


Origin:
1935–40; brown + nose
brown·nose or brown-nose   (broun'nōz')   
tr.v.   brown·nosed or brown-nosed, brown·nos·ing or brown-nos·ing, brown·nos·es or brown-nos·es Informal
To curry favor with in an obsequious manner; fawn on.

[From the image of an obsequious person whose nose becomes soiled in kissing the rump of someone from whom favor is sought.]
brown'nose' n., brown'nos'er n.
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