arselick way
- noun
- NSFW
:
forma aduladora
- No one respects him because of his arselick ways with the boss.
Examples
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She recognized his arselick way of dealing with management to get ahead.
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Why do you have to use such an arselick way of talking?
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In meetings, he always adopts an arselick way to impress superiors.
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He always speaks in an arselick way to his boss.
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In meetings, he always adopts an arselick way to impress superiors.
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She recognized his arselick way of dealing with management to get ahead.
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Why do you have to use such an arselick way of talking?
Synonyms
1
9.7
Praise that is too much and not sincere to make someone like you
1
9.2
Too much praise that tries to make people like you
1
9.8
Speaks or acts in a too friendly way that does not seem honest
In a very polite but fake way to get someone to like you
A way of behaving that praises people in charge to get their favor
Being too friendly and praising someone important to get favor
Acting in a flattering way to gain favor from someone in power
Antonyms
How Sycophantic
Surface Forms
Morphology
arselick + way
Although 'arselick' is not listed in dictionaries, it is transparently formed from 'arse' + 'lick' and therefore evokes the vulgar image of 'ass‑kissing', while 'way' clearly means 'manner', so the intended meaning 'a sycophantic or excessively flattering manner' can be inferred. However, the item is slang, vulgar, and relies on a metaphorical extension that may not be fully predictable or acceptable to an average B1 learner, so comprehension is only partial without prior exposure.
Etymology
The expression arselick way comes from a rude image: imagine someone so eager to please that they would lick another person's arse to 'gain favour'. That's why it means a too-flattering, often not honest way to 'get ahead'.