brownie

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brownie point

An informal and intangible mark of credit or approval, as from having done a good deed or by ingratiating oneself to others (especially one's superiors). Usually used in the plural. The company earned brownie points with the community for contributing part of their yearly earnings toward local development. You might get brownie points from the boss for volunteering to do things around the office, but it won't translate into a pay raise or promotion.

See also: brownie, point

brownie points

Praise or appreciation, usually a result of something one has done. I think I'll earn some brownie points with my mom if I set the table.

See also: brownie, point

earn brownie points

To elicit praise or be viewed favorably by one due to some action. I think I'll earn some brownie points with my mom if I set the table.

win brownie points

To earn praise or appreciation as a result of something one has done. I think I'll win some brownie points with my mom if I set the table. He's always offering to do odd jobs for the boss in an attempt to win brownie points.

brownie points

Credit for a good deed, as in John earned a lot of brownie points for doing his boss's report for him. The term originated with the points earned for various achievements by the youngest group of the Girl Scouts, called Brownies. In the mid-1900s it was transferred to general use.

See also: brownie, point

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

brownie points

COMMON If someone gets brownie points for doing something, they are praised and admired for it. You might want to earn brownie points by fitting in with the local traditions. These promotions allow supermarkets to score brownie points with the consumer by offering them a cheap deal. Note: The Brownies is an organization for young girls. Members are expected to be well-behaved and helpful.

See also: brownie, point

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

brownie point

an imaginary award given to someone who does good deeds or tries to please. informal

The Brownies are the junior wing of the Guides; the organization awards points and badges for proficiency in various activities.

See also: brownie, point

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

ˈbrownie points

if somebody does something to earn brownie points, they do it to make somebody in authority have a good opinion of them: She’s only working late to win brownie points with the boss. OPPOSITE: a black mark (against somebody)

The Brownies is a club for young girls which trains them in practical skills and does a lot of activities such as camping. The girls are awarded points for good behaviour and achievements.

See also: brownie, point

brownie points

n. imaginary credit for doing something well. (Originally “demerits” in railroading.) How many brownie points do I get for not frowning when you take my picture?

See also: brownie, point

brown-nose

1. and brownie and brown-noser n. a sycophant; one who flatters for self-serving motives. You are just a plain old brown-nose. Will some brown-noser please try to get the teacher to put off the test?

2. tv. & in. to curry favor with someone; to be a sycophant. Don keeps brown-nosing, and the professor pretends not to notice.

brownie

verb

See brown-nose

brownie points, win

Earn credits to one’s good standing, advancement, or the like. The term comes from the system of awards used by the junior division of the Girl Scouts of America, called the Brownies. In the mid-twentieth century it began to be applied figuratively to good deeds or worthy accomplishments in any area.