1 B1 idiomatic informal
To try to win favour from someone in authority by being excessively flattering or eager to please.
"Everyone knew he was just sucking up to the director to get a promotion."
inseparable
suck up
B1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To ingratiate oneself with someone in authority through flattery; or to absorb a liquid or substance.
In plain English
Try to make a powerful person like you by saying nice things — OR soak up a liquid.
What does "suck up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To absorb or draw in a liquid or substance from a surface.
"The dry soil sucked up all the rain within minutes."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
To consume resources, money, or time in large quantities.
"Legal fees have sucked up most of the company's emergency funds."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To suck (draw by suction) something upward — a vacuum or sponge drawing liquid upward.
Actually means
Try to make a powerful person like you by saying nice things — OR soak up a liquid.
Usage tip
The social/behavioural sense ('sucking up to the boss') is very widely known and carries a negative connotation. The physical sense (absorbing liquid) is neutral and transparent. The phrase 'suck up to' is the common form for the behavioural sense.
Words that pair with "suck up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
boss teacher manager liquid water compliment
How to conjugate "suck up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
suck up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sucks up
he/she/it
Past simple
sucked up
yesterday
Past participle
sucked up
have + pp
-ing form
sucking up
continuous
Hear "suck up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "suck up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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