suck up meaning

suck up as a verb

1. take in, also metaphorically
   • The sponge absorbs water well
   • She drew strength from the minister's words

   Synonyms: absorb, suck, imbibe, soak up, sop up, draw, take in, take up

   Kinds: wipe up, blot, sponge up

2. ingratiate oneself to; often with insincere behavior
   • She is playing up to the chairman

   Synonyms: cozy up, cotton up, shine up, play up, sidle up

   Type of: ingratiate

3. try to gain favor by cringing or flattering
   • He is always kowtowing to his boss

   Synonyms: fawn, toady, truckle, bootlick, kowtow, kotow

   Type of: flatter

   Kinds: curry favor

suck up in a sentence

• If he was a dictator, you'd be sucking up to him.
• This towel really sucks up water well.
• Stop sucking up to the teacher.
• All you do is suck up to Tom.

How to pronounce suck up

suck up is pronounced /sʌk ʌp/ in British English and /sʌk ʌp/ in American English. It has 2 syllables.