lantern bearer
Literal meaning: a person who carries a lantern, often in a procession or for someone else.
At the festival, the lantern bearer walked at the front.
flatterer; sycophant; brown-noser
Figurative use: someone who flatters or ingratiates themselves with a superior, like a lantern bearer lighting the way for someone important.
He's a brown-noser for the boss, always sucking up.