1. kiss up - Noun
2. kiss up - Verb
(transitive, idiomatic) To pay false flattery to another, particularly a superior at work, in order to get special attention.
Yes, I watched Joe kissing up the boss and was very annoyed when he got my promotion!
(intransitive, idiomatic) To pay false flattery.
He kisses up more than he works.
kiss-up (plural kiss-ups)
(colloquial) One who flatters a supervisor, or superior, in order to get special attention
Joe got that promotion because he was a kiss-up, not because he knew the job.
kiss-up
I was nice to the people in the Philippines for the two and a half years I was there, because I knew eventually I'd have to kiss up to them so my grandchildren could have toys. Don Rickles