Speak Business English Like an American » LESSON 20 - Talking about a Brown Noser
Tony: I was just in a meeting with Mitch and Bill. Mitch said to Bill, "Bill, we're so lucky to have you as our boss. You're such a great leader!"
Karen: He's up to his old tricks. He was trying to earn brownie points with Bill.
Nancy: Mitch has the reputation of being a yes man and a brown noser. He's an expert at kissing up.
Tony: Then he said to Bill, "Other people here don't appreciate you like I do!" Talk about trying to butter up the boss!
Nancy: Yeah, and this time at our expense! He's just out for himself.
Karen: Well, it's a dog-eat-dog world. Obviously he thinks this is the way to get ahead.
Tony: I guess it's one way to climb the corporate ladder. But I could never look at myself in the mirror after behaving that way.
Karen: I'm not good at kissing up either. No wonder I've been in the same lousy position for 10 years!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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