1 C1 idiomatic informal
To behave in an overly flattering or ingratiating manner around someone in order to gain their favor
"He spent the whole conference honeying around the senior partners, hoping for a promotion."
inseparable
honey around
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
To flatter or behave in an overly sweet, ingratiating way around someone, usually to gain favor
In plain English
Be very sweet and flattering toward someone to try to get something from them
What does "honey around" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move around someone the way bees circle honey — drawn by sweetness
Actually means
Be very sweet and flattering toward someone to try to get something from them
Usage tip
Rare and somewhat regional. Most common in Southern American English. Implies insincerity — the 'honey' quality is excessive sweetness used for selfish ends. Not widely known outside informal American regional dialects.
Words that pair with "honey around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
boss teacher someone important all day constantly
How to conjugate "honey around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
honey around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
honeys around
he/she/it
Past simple
honeyed around
yesterday
Past participle
honeyed around
have + pp
-ing form
honeying around
continuous
Hear "honey around" in the wild
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Other ways to say "honey around"
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