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."
inseparable
apple up
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
To flatter or try to impress someone in authority, especially a teacher or boss, in order to gain favour.
In plain English
Be extra nice to your teacher or boss to make them like you — like bringing the teacher an apple.
What does "apple up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To bring someone an apple (as a student might bring a teacher a gift to win favour).
Actually means
Be extra nice to your teacher or boss to make them like you — like bringing the teacher an apple.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "apple up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
teacher boss professor supervisor authority
How to conjugate "apple up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "apple up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "apple up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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