What is "suck up"

vb. 1 To absorb fluid 2 (context idiomatic chiefly with "to" English) To adulate or flatter somebody excessively, generally to obtain some personal benefit or favour.

1. v. take in, also metaphorically; "The sponge absorbs water well"; "She drew strength from the minister's words" [syn: absorb, suck, imbibe, soak up, sop up, draw, take in, take up]

2. ingratiate oneself to; often with insincere behavior; "She is playing up to the chairman" [syn: cozy up, cotton up, shine up, play up, sidle up]

3. try to gain favor by cringing or flattering; "He is always kowtowing to his boss" [syn: fawn, toady, truckle, bootlick, kowtow, kotow]