花はなを持もたせる

expression, ichidan verb

let someone take the credit; give someone the spotlight

Idiomatic expression meaning to deliberately let another person receive praise or recognition, often by stepping back or setting them up to look good. The literal image is of handing someone flowers so they appear as the honored person.

• 上じょう司しに花はなを持もたせて、自じ分ぶんは控ひかえめにした。

  I let my boss take the credit and stayed in the background.

• 彼かれはいつも人ひとに花はなを持もたせるのが上手じょうずだ。

  He is always good at letting others have the spotlight.