| 释义 |
flattery will get you everywhere/nowhere flattery will get you nowhereFlattery does not work. The phrase is used to discourage one's efforts to win favor or good fortune through flattery. A: "I just love your new haircut, Mrs. Jones." B: "Flattery will get you nowhere, Jimmy—you're still getting a D in my class."See also: flattery, get, nowhere, willFlattery will get you nowhere.Flattering me will not increase your chances of success. A: Gee, you can do almost anything, can't you? B: Probably, but flattery will get you nowhere.See also: flattery, get, nowhere, willflattery will get you ˈeverywhere/ˈnowhere (spoken, humorous) praise that is not sincere will/will not get you what you want: Just remember — flattery will get you nowhere. There’s no point in trying to be nice to me so that I’ll give you what you want.See also: everywhere, flattery, get, nowhere, willflattery will get you nowhereAppealing to my vanity will not advance your cause. Although this idea is very old, the expression dates only from the mid-twentieth century and originated in the United States. Aristophanes (ca. 388 b.c.), Cato (ca. 175 b.c.), and Cicero (ca. 45 b.c.) are but three of the ancients who warned against flattery. The current cliché appears in Ellery Queen’s A Fine and Private Place (1971; cited by Partridge), “‘Flattery will get you nowhere, Queen,’ the murderer said.” It is sometimes used ironically, in response to an insulting remark, and there is also a humorous variation, flattery will get you everywhere (a retort to a compliment).See also: flattery, get, nowhere, will |