ごますり
ご
ま
す
り
Meanings
1
sycophancy; flattery; brown-nosing
usually written using kana alone
Refers to the act of excessive flattery or the person who does it; often used in the phrase ごますりをする. Colloquial and somewhat negative.
He's always brown-nosing his boss.
Some people get ahead by apple-polishing.
2
sesame seed grinding
usually written using kana alone
Literal meaning: the act of grinding sesame seeds. Rarely used in modern conversation; the figurative sense is dominant.
Grinding sesame seeds is best done with a mortar and pestle.