Unit 75: A pat on the back: complimenting and praising

Question 1

fish for compliments

Answer 1

to try to get something, or to find out something, although you are pretending not to

Question 2

back-handed/left-handed/double-edged compliment

Answer 2

a comment that seems to express approval but could also be understood as expressing a poor opinion of somebody/something

Question 3

praised to the skies

Answer 3

highly praised sb

Question 4

shower/heap praise on sb/sth

Question 5

dawn sb with faint praise

Answer 5

praise with such a lack of enthusiasm that you give the impression of actually having rather negative feelings

Question 6

extol the virtues/benefits of

At the conference, the Prime Minister extolled the virtues of the treaty

Answer 6

praise highly

Question 7

be the toast of

A few months ago, hardly anyone had heard of her but now she’s the toast of Hollywood.

Answer 7

be admired for some recent achievement (artists and celebrities)

Question 8

earn/win plaudits

The exhibition earned plaudits from all major reviewers.

Answer 8

get positive comments

Question 9

laud (v)

laudable (of behaviour), laudatory (of comments or remarks)

Answer 9

praise highly in official situations

Question 10

make up to sb|crawl|suck up to|lick sb’s boots

Answer 10

praising sb for your own benefit

Question 11

smarmy|slimy|crawler|flatterer
servile|
obsequious

Answer 11

trying too hard to please somebody, especially somebody who is important

Question 12

flattery will get you nowhere

Answer 12

insincere praise will not achieve anything