pay court to


pay court to (someone)

To attempt to gain someone's favor, affection, attention, or interest, especially through flattery or solicitous overtures. They have so much money that they can have an army of lobbyists paying court to politicians in order to maintain their agenda. It can be very jarring and even distressing when young men begin paying court to your daughters when they grow up, but it's something you have to learn to accept.See also: court, pay

pay court to someone

Fig. to solicit someone's attention; to woo someone. The lawyer was thought to be paying court to too many politicians. The lobbyist paid court to all the influential members of Congress.See also: court, pay

pay court to

Solicit the favors or affection of, as in If you want to win the daughter, you'll have to pay court to her mother. [Late 1500s] See also: court, pay

pay court to

1. To flatter with solicitous overtures in an attempt to obtain something or clear away antagonism.2. To seek someone's love; woo.See also: court, pay