提灯持ちちょうちんもち

noun

lantern bearer

Literal meaning: a person who carries a lantern, often in a procession or for someone else.

• 祭まつりでは、提灯持ちちょうちんもちが先せん頭とうを歩あるいた。

  At the festival, the lantern bearer walked at the front.

noun

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.

• 彼かれは上じょう司しの提灯持ちちょうちんもちで、いつもご機き嫌げん取とりをしている。

  He's a brown-noser for the boss, always sucking up.