Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
uriah-heep
Noun
/juːˈraɪə hiːp/
Definition
A term derived from a character in Charles Dickens’s novel ‘David Copperfield’, representing someone who is obsequious or sycophantic.
Examples
- Her manners were so Uriah Heep that it made me uncomfortable during the meeting.
- He played the role of a Uriah Heep to gain favor with his boss.
Meaning
The expression ‘Uriah Heep’ is often used to describe a person who is excessively humble or ingratiating, showing insincere compliance to authority while harboring ulterior motives.
Synonyms
- Servile
- Obsequious
- Sycophantic
- Ingratiating
