World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesKriecher
Pronunciation / Transliteration: /ˈkʁiːçɐ/
"Der Minister hasst es, sich mit solchen Kriechern zu umgeben."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
1 sense- 1
A person who behaves in a servile, obsequious manner towards someone important or powerful in order to gain advantage.
"He was known around the office as a shameless lick-spittle who constantly agreed with the boss's worst ideas."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Originating in the late 16th century, the term combines 'lick' and 'spittle' (saliva), originally referring to a servile parasite who would literally lick the saliva or platters of superiors. Over time, it evolved metaphorically to describe an abject sycophant or flatterer willing to degrade themselves for favor.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Lick-spittle"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Lick-spittle" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
flatteur
Transliteration: /fla.tœʁ/
"Il est considéré comme un simple flatteur sans principes."
Kriecher
Transliteration: /ˈkʁiːçɐ/
"Der Minister hasst es, sich mit solchen Kriechern zu umgeben."
leccapiedi
Transliteration: /lek.kaˈpje.di/
"Quel dipendente è solo un leccapiedi del direttore."
servil
Transliteration: /seɾˈbil/
"Nadie respeta a un adulador tan servil."
puxa-saco
Transliteration: /ˈpu.ʃa ˈsa.ku/
"Ele conseguiu a promoção agindo como um puxa-saco."
चापलूस
Transliteration: chaploos
"वह बॉस का एक नंबर का चापलूस है।"
马屁精
Transliteration: mǎ pì jīng
"大家都不喜欢办公室里的那个马屁精。"
아첨꾼
Transliteration: acheomkkun
"그는 상사에게 바치는 아첨꾼으로 유명하다."
ゴマすり
Transliteration: gomasuri
Script: ごますり
"彼は上司にごまをするのが得意な男だ。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all German termsA very rich person; a millionaire or billionaire of legendary proportions.
A person who promotes or publicizes a particular organization, doctrine, or biased point of view, often using misleading or manipulative information.
A scarecrow or a grotesque figure set up in a field.
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