flattery

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envy is the sincerest form of flattery

proverb Expressions of envy are complimentary, as they signal that someone yearns for something that you exude or possess. A: "Laura drives me nuts. I'm so jealous of her having a boyfriend, I could scream." B: "I hate to tell you this, but envy is the sincerest form of flattery."

See also: envy, flattery, form, of, sincere

flattery will get you nowhere

Flattery does not work. The phrase is used to discourage one's efforts to win favor or good fortune through flattery. A: "I just love your new haircut, Mrs. Jones." B: "Flattery will get you nowhere, Jimmy—you're still getting a D in my class."

imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

proverb When someone imitates the things you do, it's a sign that they like and admire you. Honey, try not to get annoyed with your brother when he follows you around doing the same things you do. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, after all.

See also: flattery, form, of, sincere

Flattery will get you nowhere.

Flattering me will not increase your chances of success. A: Gee, you can do almost anything, can't you? B: Probably, but flattery will get you nowhere.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Prov. Copying someone is flattering because it shows you want to be like that person. Child: Susie's doing everything I do. Make her stop. Mother: Don't be cross with her. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but I don't feel flattered when Mary copies my answers to the homework.

See also: flattery, form, of, sincere

imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

When people say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, they mean that if someone copies you, it must be because they admire you. Gregory Campbell went into West Belfast last week, I was there years ago. But imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

See also: flattery, form, of, sincere

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

copying someone or something is an implicit way of paying them a compliment. proverb

See also: flattery, form, of, sincere

flattery will get you ˈeverywhere/ˈnowhere

(spoken, humorous) praise that is not sincere will/will not get you what you want: Just remember — flattery will get you nowhere. There’s no point in trying to be nice to me so that I’ll give you what you want.

See also: everywhere, flattery, get, nowhere, will

flattery will get you nowhere

Appealing to my vanity will not advance your cause. Although this idea is very old, the expression dates only from the mid-twentieth century and originated in the United States. Aristophanes (ca. 388 b.c.), Cato (ca. 175 b.c.), and Cicero (ca. 45 b.c.) are but three of the ancients who warned against flattery. The current cliché appears in Ellery Queen’s A Fine and Private Place (1971; cited by Partridge), “‘Flattery will get you nowhere, Queen,’ the murderer said.” It is sometimes used ironically, in response to an insulting remark, and there is also a humorous variation, flattery will get you everywhere (a retort to a compliment).