bootlicking
- v try to gain favor by cringing or flattering
- s attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
- s attempting to win favor by flattery
- Even the most bootlicking appeasement cannot buy him off so why not let the British use the Irish plane and ship bases so badly needed to protect transatlantic convoys?.
- Best supporting actor: Edmond O'Brien, for his sweaty, bootlicking press agent in The Barefoot Contessa.
- There are photo ops with fawning constituents, visits from bootlicking lobbyists, calls to wealthy contributors, all lubricated by a solicitous staff.