The Village Idiom

curry favor

The idiom "curry favor" means to seek approval or win someone's favor by flattering or doing special favors for them. It originates from the act of currying horses, meaning to groom or care for them to make them more appealing or valuable. Similarly, people who "curry favor" are trying to make themselves more appealing or valuable to others.

Filed under C

In a sentence

  • She tried to curry favor with her boss by always volunteering for extra assignments.
  • In order to curry favor with the judges, the contestant complimented their taste and style.
  • He hoped to curry favor with his in-laws by cooking their favorite meal.

Where it comes from and how it is used

The idiom *give curry* is closely related to *curry favor*. When someone is said to *give curry*, they are essentially doing the same thing as currying favor. They are seeking to ingratiate themselves or seek attention from someone in a calculated or self-serving manner. The only difference is the phrasing used, but the meaning and underlying motives are the same.

A similar phrase is *brownie point*. When someone is said to be earning *brownie points*, it means that they are doing something to gain favor or approval from someone else. This can involve going out of their way to please or impress someone, often with the hope of benefiting from that person's favor in the future.

*Do me a favour* is another idiom that is related to *curry favor*. When someone asks another person to *do them a favour*, they are essentially asking for their help or support in a specific matter. This can be seen as a subtle way of seeking someone's favor, as the person asking for the favour may hope that by doing them a favour, the other person will view them in a more positive light.

One more related idiom is *kiss up to*. When someone is said to be *kissing up to* someone else, it means that they are seeking to gain favor or approval from that person by behaving in an overly flattering or subservient manner. This idiom conveys the same idea as *currying favor* - the person engaging in such behavior is seeking to win someone's favor by being insincere or manipulative.

Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.