SUCK UP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does suck up mean? 

• SUCK UP (verb)
  The verb SUCK UP has 3 senses:

1. take in, also metaphorically

2. ingratiate oneself to; often with insincere behavior

3. try to gain favor by cringing or flattering

  Familiarity information: SUCK UP used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SUCK UP (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Take in, also metaphorically

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

absorb; draw; imbibe; soak up; sop up; suck; suck up; take in; take up

Context example:

She drew strength from the minister's words

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "suck up"):

mop; mop up; wipe up (to wash or wipe with or as if with a mop)

blot (dry (ink) with blotting paper)

sponge up (absorb as if with a sponge)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Ingratiate oneself to; often with insincere behavior

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Synonyms:

cotton up; cozy up; play up; shine up; sidle up; suck up

Context example:

She is playing up to the chairman

Hypernyms (to "suck up" is one way to...):

ingratiate (gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Sense 3

Meaning:

Try to gain favor by cringing or flattering

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

bootlick; fawn; kotow; kowtow; suck up; toady; truckle

Context example:

He is always kowtowing to his boss

Hypernyms (to "suck up" is one way to...):

blandish; flatter (praise somewhat dishonestly)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "suck up"):

court favor; court favour; curry favor; curry favour (seek favor by fawning or flattery)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

 Context examples 

So she thought a while; and at last remembered that there was a sack of fine meal bought at the last fair, and that if she sprinkled this over the floor it would suck up the ale nicely.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

An international team led by scientists at Stanford University and the Autonomous University of Barcelona finds reason to hope trees will continue to suck up carbon dioxide at generous rates through at least the end of the century.

(Study Suggests Trees' Potential to Slow Global Warming in Next 100 Years, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)