passer la brosse à reluire

French

Etymology

From brosse à reluire. Literally, “to pass the shoe brush”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pa.se la bʁɔs a ʁə.lɥiʁ/ ~ /pɑ.se la bʁɔs a ʁə.lɥiʁ/

• Audio (Lyon):

  (file)

Verb

passer la brosse à reluire

1. (figuratively, derogatory) to lick (someone's) boots, to flatter in a sycophantic manner [with à ‘someone’]

   Synonym: lécher les bottes