flattery

Everyday

Flattery is praise that is too much or not sincere, often given to please someone or to get something from them. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and fables, flattery is a trick: in Aesop's fable the fox flatters the crow so it drops its cheese. In ethics lessons, flattery is different from honest praise. In everyday talk, «flattery will get you nowhere» is a joking reply to compliments. Common phrases: «flattery will get you nowhere», «empty flattery», «imitation is the sincerest form of flattery», «use flattery».

Examples

• The fox used flattery to trick the crow into singing. tree →
• «Flattery will get you nowhere,» laughed Mum when I said she was the best cook in the world. tree →
• The courtiers covered the king in flattery. tree →
• Honest praise is better than flattery. tree →
• She saw through his flattery straight away. tree →
• Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, people say. tree →
• He tried flattery to get an extra biscuit. tree →
• Do not let flattery throw you off your guard against an enemy. tree →

Note

Uncountable. The verb is «flatter» (to praise too much, or to make someone look better than real: that photo flatters you). «Flattering» clothes make you look nice. «I'm flattered» means «I'm pleased by your kind words». Do not confuse with «flatten» (make flat).

In Jewish tradition

In stories and fables, flattery is a trick: in Aesop's fable the fox flatters the crow so it drops its cheese. In ethics lessons, flattery is different from honest praise. In everyday talk, «flattery will get you nowhere» is a joking reply to compliments. Common phrases: «flattery will get you nowhere», «empty flattery», «imitation is the sincerest form of flattery», «use flattery».

Examples

• He that denounceth his friends for the sake of flattery, even the eyes of his children shall fail. (Writings JOB.17.5, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable. The verb is «flatter» (to praise too much, or to make someone look better than real: that photo flatters you). «Flattering» clothes make you look nice. «I'm flattered» means «I'm pleased by your kind words». Do not confuse with «flatten» (make flat).