Pay court to somebody
verb phrase
To try to win the affection, favor, or support of someone, often with flattery or attention.
He was constantly paying court to his boss in hopes of a promotion.
Often appears as...
- pay court to a lady
- pay court to a boss
Usage tips
Formal
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To attempt to curry favor by showing special attention or respect to someone.
The young prince would pay court to his father, the king, in order to gain his approval.
Often appears as...
- pay court to the king
- pay court to a parent
Usage tips
Formal
Literary
verb phrase
To try to win the affection, favor, or support of someone, often with flattery or attention.
He was constantly paying court to his boss in hopes of a promotion.
Often appears as...
- pay court to a lady
- pay court to a boss
Usage tips
Formal
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To attempt to curry favor by showing special attention or respect to someone.
The young prince would pay court to his father, the king, in order to gain his approval.
Often appears as...
- pay court to the king
- pay court to a parent
Usage tips
Formal
Literary
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Social Climbing
The phrase often implies someone is flattering a superior for personal gain or advancement.
Juliane paid court to the company director, laughing at all his jokes.
Pro Tip 2/3Strategic Flattery
Using 'pay court to' can suggest a calculated effort to influence someone with authority.
Mark paid court to the lead investor at every meeting.
Pro Tip 3/3Perception of Insincerity
The phrase may carry a negative tone, implying insincere or opportunistic behavior.
As she paid court to her wealthy aunt, her cousins rolled their eyes.
Pro Tip 1/3Social Climbing
The phrase often implies someone is flattering a superior for personal gain or advancement.
Juliane paid court to the company director, laughing at all his jokes.
Pro Tip 2/3Strategic Flattery
Using 'pay court to' can suggest a calculated effort to influence someone with authority.
Mark paid court to the lead investor at every meeting.
Pro Tip 3/3Perception of Insincerity
The phrase may carry a negative tone, implying insincere or opportunistic behavior.
As she paid court to her wealthy aunt, her cousins rolled their eyes.
Pro Tip 1/3Social Climbing
The phrase often implies someone is flattering a superior for personal gain or advancement.
Juliane paid court to the company director, laughing at all his jokes.
Pro Tip 2/3Strategic Flattery
Using 'pay court to' can suggest a calculated effort to influence someone with authority.
Mark paid court to the lead investor at every meeting.
Pro Tip 3/3Perception of Insincerity
The phrase may carry a negative tone, implying insincere or opportunistic behavior.
As she paid court to her wealthy aunt, her cousins rolled their eyes.
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