currying favor; trying to please someone
Refers to the act of ingratiating oneself, often with a negative connotation of insincerity. Derived from the phrase 機嫌を取る.
See also: 機嫌を取る
He is always currying favor with his boss.
You should stop such bootlicking.
bootlicker; sycophant
Used to refer to a person who habitually flatters or ingratiates themselves. Often derogatory.
That guy is just a bootlicker.
Flattery or compliment, often insincere; 機嫌取り focuses more on actions to gain favor rather than just words.
Compound of 機嫌 (mood, humor) and 取り (taking, from 取る). Literally 'mood-taking', referring to actions aimed at improving someone's mood to gain favor.