favour (redirected from favouring)

curry favour

to try to make someone like you or support you by doing things to please them. The government has promised lower taxes in an attempt to curry favour with the voters. (usually + with)

See also: curry

do yourself a favour

something that you say when you are advising someone to do something which will have a good effect or will give them an advantage. You're looking really tired. Why don't you do yourself a favour and take a break? (often + and + do something)

not do someone any favours (British, American & Australian, American)

to do something that is likely to have a bad effect on you or on another person. You're not well, and you're not doing yourself any favours by taking on extra work. (often reflexive) The government isn't doing the families of the victims any favor by hiding the truth about what really happened. (usually in continuous tenses; often + by + doing something)

See also: any

Do me a favour! (British & Australian, informal)

something that you say in order to tell someone that what they have just said is stupid. 'Why don't you go out with Brian?' 'Oh, do me a favour! He's almost 50, and he still lives with his mother!'

do me/us a favour (informal)

if you tell someone to do you a favour, you are telling them to stop doing something that is making you angry. Why don't you do us all a favor and keep your opinions to yourself! (often + and + do something)