apple up
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
Be extra nice to your teacher or boss to make them like you — like bringing the teacher an apple.
Literal meaning: To bring someone an apple (as a student might bring a teacher a gift to win favour).
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
To flatter or curry favour with a person in authority, especially a teacher.
"You can tell she's been appling up to the professor — she always sits in the front row and laughs at all his jokes."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Rare and somewhat old-fashioned. References the tradition of students bringing their teacher an apple as a gift. More of a humorous or ironic expression. Not widely used; mostly understood in North American contexts.
Commonly used with
teacher boss professor supervisor authority
Forms
Base
apple up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
apples up
he/she/it
Past simple
appled up
yesterday
Past participle
appled up
have + pp
-ing form
appling up
continuous
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