Part 1

up to one's old tricks

see Lesson 18

brownie points

credit for doing a good deed or for giving someone a compli­ment (usually a boss or teacher)

example: Sara scored brownie points with her boss by volun­teering to organize the company's holiday party. origin: The junior branch of the Girl Scouts is called the Brownies. Brownies earn credit to then earn a badge by doing good deeds and tasks. When applied to adults, the meaning is sarcastic.

yes man

an employee who always agrees with the boss or does whatever the boss says

example: Don't expect Larry to argue with the boss. He's a yes man.

brown noser

somebody who's always trying to win favor with those in au­thority, like bosses or teachers

example: Jim told Amanda she was the best boss he ever had? What a brown noser!

(to) kiss up to (someone)

to try to win favor with someone by flattering them

example: Don is always kissing up to the boss. He'll probably get promoted soon.

talk about

that's an example of...

example: Sharon told everybody that Carla was having an affair with her boss. Talk about spreading nasty rumors!

(to) butter up

to say nice things to somebody, hoping that they'll do something nice for you in the future; to compliment too much

example: Sam is trying to get promoted by buttering up his boss. His co-workers don't like his behavior.

at one's expense

at a cost to

example: If you blame the project failure on us, you'll look better, but at our expense.

note: There is also the related expression "at one's own expense," meaning to pay the cost oneself. Example: Fred wanted the job so badly, he was willing to fly to Atlanta for the interview at his own expense.

out for oneself

selfish; just concerned with oneself and one's own success; not caring about what happens to other people

example: I'm not surprised that Jessica took all the credit for the success of the ad campaign. She's just out for herself.

dog-eat-dog world

a cruel and aggressive world in which people just look out for themselves

example: Your company fired you shortly after you had a heart attack? Well, it's certainly a dog-eat-dog world!

origin: This expression dates back to the 1500's. Wild dogs were observed fighting aggressively over a piece of food. The connection was made that people, like dogs, often compete aggressively to get what they want.

(to) get ahead

to get promoted; to advance in one's career

example: If you want to get ahead in investment banking, be prepared to work long hours!

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(to) climb the corporate ladder

advance in one's career; the process of getting promoted and making it to senior management

example: You want to climb the corporate ladder? It helps to be productive and to look good in front of your boss.

(to) look at oneself in the mirror

to face oneself

example: After firing so man} employees, I don't know how Beth can even look at herself in the mirror.

no wonder

see Lesson 7

Talking About a Brown Noser, Part 2: When You're Overheard

Mitch: Hey guys. Don't you know it's rude to talk behind some­one's back? I just overheard your entire conversation!

Tony: Sorry, Mitch. We didn't mean to offend you.

Mitch: Well, the walls have ears. Think twice before you insult me again!

Nancy: Chill out! We were tailing about a different Mitch, not you.

Tony: That's right. We were taking about Mitch Schneider, over in the accounting department.

Mitch: Likely story. I wasn't born yesterday!