Meaning & use
flattering someone
Last updated
Meanings
phraseidiom
Praising someone more than they deserve, often to please them or gain an advantage.
Grammar: Used as a gerund phrase, so it can be the subject of a sentence or follow 'be': 'Flattering someone is easy.'
Patterns
- flattering someone about something
- be flattering someone
- keep flattering someone
He kept flattering someone in the office to get a better desk.
Flattering someone about their cooking is a quick way to make friends.
She was not really flattering someone; she simply wanted the truth.
phraseidiom
Saying nice, often untrue things about a person so they feel good about themselves.
Grammar: Often used after verbs like 'enjoy' or 'dislike': 'He enjoys flattering someone in power.'
Patterns
- enjoy flattering someone
- be good at flattering someone
The salesman was good at flattering someone until they bought the car.
Stop flattering someone just to get a discount.
Common combinations
- keep flattering someone
- He kept flattering someone until she agreed to help.
- flattering someone about their looks
- Flattering someone about their looks can feel insincere.
- be good at flattering someone
- She is good at flattering someone without sounding fake.
- flattering someone in public
- Flattering someone in public can embarrass them.
Synonyms and how they differ
- praising
- Praising is sincere and usually deserved; flattering someone often suggests the praise is too much or not honest.
- complimenting
- Complimenting is a simple, neutral act of saying something nice; flattering someone often hints at a hidden purpose.
- buttering up
- Buttering up is informal and clearly suggests you want a favor; flattering someone is a little more neutral.
Opposites
Word family
- flatter verb
- To praise someone more than they deserve, usually to please them.
- flattery noun
- Nice things said to someone, often more than is true.
- flattering adjective
- Making someone look or feel good, as in a flattering photo.
- flatterer noun
- A person who often flatters others.
Commonly confused: flattering someone or complimenting someone?
flattering someone vs complimenting someone
Complimenting someone is simply saying something nice and true; flattering someone often carries the idea of too much praise or a hidden reason.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'flattering someone' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Flattering someone' takes a direct object and can be followed by an infinitive of purpose ('to get a free ticket'). Option 1 is missing 'to'; option 2 inserts 'to' before the object; option 3 uses 'for get' instead of 'to get.'
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “flattering someone”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.