- polish the apple
- {v. phr.}, {slang} To try to make someone like you; to try to win favor by flattery. * /Mary polished the apple at work because she wanted a day off./ * /Susan is the teacher's pet because she always polishes the apple./ -[apple polisher] {n.}, {slang} A person who is nice to the one in charge in order to be liked or treated better; a person who does favors for a superior. * /Jane is an apple polisher. She is always helping the teacher and talking to him./ * /Joe is an apple-polisher. He will do anything for the boss./ Compare: EAGER BEAVER, YES-MAN. -[apple polishing] {n.}, {slang} Trying to win someone's good-will by small acts currying favor; the behavior of an apple polisher. * /When John I brought his teacher flowers, everyone thought he was apple polishing./
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.