To flatter someone means to say nice things to them. You might say these nice things because you want something from them. Or, you might say them to make them feel good. But sometimes, the nice things you say are not completely true. You might also flatter an object, like a dress, if it makes someone look better than they usually do.
To flatter someone means you say nice things to them. You might say they are very smart or have nice clothes.
But often, when you flatter someone, you don't truly mean it. You might do it because you want something from them, like a favor.
It can also mean making something look better than it really is. For example, a picture might flatter you if it makes you look better than in real life.
At the C1 level, understanding the nuances of "flatters" involves recognizing its dual application: it describes the act of lavishing insincere praise, often with an ulterior motive to ingratiate oneself, but also refers to making something appear more attractive or better than its true state. This verb delves into the subtleties of human interaction, distinguishing genuine commendation from manipulative adulation. It implies a critical awareness of social dynamics and the potential for veiled intentions behind seemingly positive affirmations. Grasping this term at an advanced level means discerning when praise serves an honest purpose versus when it's employed as a strategic tool for personal gain or to deceptively enhance perception.
To flatter, at a C2 level of understanding, denotes the act of lavishing effusive, often disingenuous commendation upon an individual, typically with the ulterior motive of currying favor or personal advantage. It transcends mere praise, carrying connotations of insincerity and strategic manipulation. Furthermore, the term can also describe the artistic or stylistic embellishment that enhances the perceived attractiveness or quality of an object, often beyond its inherent attributes. This dual application highlights its nuanced meaning, encompassing both interpersonal dynamics and aesthetic representation.
Grammaire à connaître
Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure the verb 'flatter' agrees with its subject in number and person.
He flatters his boss to get a promotion. (singular subject 'he' takes singular verb 'flatter-s')
Verb Tenses: Use the correct tense of 'flatter' depending on when the action occurs (present, past, future).
She flattered him with compliments all evening. (past tense 'flattered')
Transitive Verb: 'Flatter' is typically a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object (the person or thing being flattered).
Don't flatter yourself; you're not that good. (direct object 'yourself')
Passive Voice: 'Flatter' can be used in the passive voice when the focus is on the recipient of the flattery.
He was flattered by her attention. (passive voice)
Infinitives and Gerunds: 'Flatter' can be preceded by an infinitive (to flatter) or followed by a gerund (flattering) depending on the sentence structure.
It's easy to flatter someone when you want something. (infinitive 'to flatter')
Exemples par niveau
He flatters his boss constantly, hoping for a promotion.
He always praises his boss too much, hoping to get promoted.
Present simple tense, active voice. 'Constantly' is an adverb of frequency.
Her new hairstyle really flatters her face.
Her new haircut really suits her face and makes it look good.
Present simple tense, active voice. 'Really' is an intensifier.
I know he's just flattering me to get what he wants.
I know he's just praising me insincerely to achieve his goals.
Present continuous tense, active voice. 'Just' emphasizes the insincere nature.
The mirror flatters her by making her appear taller.
The mirror makes her look taller than she really is.
Present simple tense, active voice. 'By making' indicates the means.
Don't let his compliments flatter you into making a bad decision.
Don't let his praises trick you into making a wrong choice.
Imperative sentence. 'Into making' shows the consequence of flattery.
The soft lighting flatters the room, making it seem more spacious.
The dim lighting makes the room look bigger and more appealing.
Present simple tense, active voice. 'Making it seem' describes the effect.
She always flatters him about his cooking, even if it's not very good.
She always praises his cooking excessively, even when it's not great.
Present simple tense, active voice. 'Even if' introduces a concession.
To flatter someone effectively, you need to be subtle.
To praise someone skillfully and not obviously, you need to be subtle.
Infinitive phrase for purpose. 'Effectively' is an adverb of manner.
The politician flattered the wealthy donor, hoping to secure a large campaign contribution.
The politician praised the rich donor excessively, hoping to get a big campaign donation.
Past tense of 'flatter'. 'Hoping to secure' is a participle phrase indicating purpose.
She was flattered by his compliments, even though she suspected they weren't entirely genuine.
She felt good because of his compliments, even if she thought they might not be completely true.
'Was flattered' is in the passive voice, indicating she was the recipient of the flattery.
The artist used light and shadow to flatter the subject's features in the portrait.
The artist used light and dark to make the person's face look better in the painting.
Here, 'flatter' means to make something appear more attractive or better.
Don't let his smooth words flatter you into making a hasty decision.
Don't let his charming words persuade you into deciding too quickly.
This uses 'flatter' in a causative sense, meaning to persuade someone through flattery.
The dress flattered her figure, making her appear taller and more elegant.
The dress made her look better, making her seem taller and more graceful.
Similar to example 3, 'flatter' here means to enhance someone's appearance.
He's always flattering his boss, which makes his colleagues a bit annoyed.
He's always complimenting his boss excessively, which annoys his co-workers a little.
Present continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action. 'Which makes' introduces a relative clause.
It's hard to distinguish genuine praise from someone who is merely trying to flatter you.
It's difficult to tell the difference between real praise and someone just trying to get into your good graces.
'Trying to flatter you' is an infinitive phrase indicating purpose.
The architect's design truly flatters the historical surroundings of the building.
The architect's design really complements the old buildings around it.
Here, 'flatters' means to enhance or suit well, similar to making something look better.
His sycophantic praise, though it clearly flatters the CEO's ego, does little to address the underlying issues plaguing the company.
Sycophantic praise: obsequious or fawning praise; CEO's ego: the CEO's self-esteem or self-importance; underlying issues: fundamental problems; plaguing the company: causing persistent trouble or suffering for the company.
The present simple tense 'flatters' is used to describe a habitual or continuous action. 'Though' introduces a concessive clause.
While the architect's elaborate drawings certainly flatter the client's vision, concerns remain regarding the practical execution and cost-effectiveness of such a grand design.
Elaborate drawings: detailed and complex plans; flatter the client's vision: make the client's idea seem more impressive; practical execution: real-world implementation; cost-effectiveness: efficiency in terms of cost.
'While' introduces a subordinate clause, indicating a contrast. The passive voice 'concerns remain' is used to express a state.
The candidate's campaign strategy, which consistently flatters the electorate's desire for radical change, risks alienating more moderate voters.
Electorate's desire: the voters' strong wish; radical change: fundamental and extreme transformation; alienating more moderate voters: making more moderate voters feel distant or hostile.
The relative clause 'which consistently flatters...' modifies 'campaign strategy'. 'Risks alienating' uses a gerund after 'risks'.
Her artistic style, which tends to flatter the subject's most appealing features, has garnered her a reputation for flattering portraits, even if they occasionally lack stark realism.
Appealing features: attractive characteristics; garnered her a reputation: earned her a good name; flattering portraits: pictures that make the subject look better; stark realism: harsh or uncompromising depiction of reality.
The phrase 'tends to flatter' indicates a usual or common action. 'Even if' introduces a concessive clause.
The marketing department's report, while undoubtedly designed to flatter the company's recent performance, failed to acknowledge the significant market share lost to competitors.
Undoubtedly designed: certainly intended; flatter the company's recent performance: make the company's recent results seem better; failed to acknowledge: did not recognize; significant market share: a large portion of the market.
'While undoubtedly designed' is a reduced adverbial clause. The past simple tense 'failed' describes a completed action.
He's known to flatter anyone in a position of power, hoping to curry favor and advance his own agenda, a tactic that has earned him both success and considerable disdain.
Curry favor: gain approval or support through flattery; advance his own agenda: promote his personal goals; considerable disdain: strong disapproval or contempt.
The infinitive 'to flatter' is used after 'known'. The present perfect tense 'has earned' indicates a past action with present relevance.
The speech, delivered with rhetorical flair, cleverly flatters the audience's national pride, but offers little in the way of concrete policy proposals.
Rhetorical flair: stylish and effective use of language; cleverly flatters: skillfully praises; national pride: a sense of patriotism; concrete policy proposals: definite and practical suggestions for action.
The participle 'delivered' introduces a descriptive phrase. 'But offers' indicates a contrast.
Despite its flaws, the film's stunning cinematography undeniably flatters the scenic beauty of the remote landscapes, almost making viewers forget the somewhat disjointed plot.
Stunning cinematography: exceptionally beautiful filmmaking; undeniably flatters: unquestionably enhances; scenic beauty: attractive natural surroundings; remote landscapes: distant and isolated areas; disjointed plot: an incoherent or unconnected storyline.
'Despite its flaws' is a prepositional phrase expressing concession. The gerund 'making' is used after 'almost'.
Modèles grammaticaux
Structures de phrases
Subject + flatters + object.
He flatters his boss to get a promotion.
Subject + flatters + object + by + verb-ing.
She flatters him by agreeing with everything he says.
It flatters + object + that + clause.
It flatters her that he remembers her birthday.
Subject + flatters + object + with + noun.
He flatters his clients with expensive gifts.
Subject + be + flattered + by + object.
She was flattered by his compliments.
Subject + be + flattered + to + verb.
I was flattered to be asked to speak at the conference.
Subject + flatters + object + into + verb-ing.
He flattered her into lending him money.
Subject + flatters + object + with + adjective + noun.
The dress flatters her figure with its elegant cut.
Famille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Adjectifs
Comment l'utiliser
When using "flatters," consider the nuance of insincerity. It implies that the praise is not genuine but rather for personal gain or to make someone feel good, sometimes to an excessive degree. It can also be used in contexts where something makes another thing look better, for example, 'That dress flatters her figure.'
A common mistake is to confuse "flatter" with genuine compliments. While both involve praise, "flatter" specifically suggests an ulterior motive or exaggeration. For example, saying 'You look great today!' is a compliment, but saying 'You look absolutely stunning, the best I've ever seen you, especially considering you haven't slept' could be perceived as flattery if the speaker's true intention is to gain something from the listener.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Imagine a 'flatterer' as someone who 'flattens' you with compliments, often insincerely, trying to get something from you.
Association visuelle
Picture a flatterer literally 'painting' a flattering, but untrue, picture of you, making you look better than you are, with a paintbrush. The paint drips, showing the insincerity.
Word Web
Défi
Think of a time someone flattered you, or you flattered someone else. Describe the situation and whether it was sincere or insincere.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
She flatters her boss in hopes of getting a promotion.
- to gain favor
- insincerely praising
- seeking a promotion
The artist used lighting to flatter the subject in the portrait.
- make something appear better
- using lighting to enhance
- improving appearance
He flattered his way into the exclusive club.
- to charm someone
- using flattery to get in
- gaining access through compliments
Don't let compliments flatter you too much; stay humble.
- don't let flattery get to your head
- stay humble despite praise
- recognize insincere compliments
The dress flatters her figure, making her look taller.
- to enhance one's appearance
- making her look good
- improving her silhouette
Amorces de conversation
"Have you ever seen someone flatter another person to get what they want? What happened?"
"What's the difference between a genuine compliment and flattery?"
"Can flattery ever be harmless, or is it always a bit manipulative?"
"When might a person use flattery in a professional setting?"
"Do you think certain cultures or social situations encourage flattery more than others?"
Sujets d'écriture
Describe a time you felt someone was flattering you. How did it make you feel?
Reflect on a time you might have flattered someone (intentionally or unintentionally). What was the outcome?
Consider how flattery is portrayed in movies or literature. Give an example and discuss its impact on the story.
Write about the ethics of flattery. When, if ever, is it acceptable?
Imagine a world where flattery didn't exist. How might social interactions be different?
Teste-toi 102 questions
He ___ her with compliments to get what he wanted.
To 'flatter' someone means to praise them, often to gain something. In this sentence, the person is using compliments to achieve a goal.
The painter used bright colors to ___ the beauty of the landscape.
In this context, 'flatter' means to make something appear better or more attractive. The bright colors enhance the landscape's beauty.
Don't trust him too much; he often ___ people to get favors.
This sentence implies that the person praises others insincerely to gain advantages, which is the definition of 'flatter'.
That dress really ___ her figure.
Here, 'flatter' means to make something look good or more attractive. The dress makes her figure look appealing.
She tried to ___ her boss by praising his ideas all the time.
Praising someone excessively to gain favor is a common way to 'flatter' them.
The photographer knew how to ___ his subjects to make them look their best.
A good photographer makes their subjects look good, which is a form of 'flattering' them.
Listen for how she acts to get things.
Listen for how the dress makes her look.
Listen for what he dislikes.
Read this aloud:
She flatters him.
Focus: flatters
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
The picture flatters her.
Focus: flatters
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Do you flatter your boss?
Focus: flatter
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
He always ___ his boss to get a promotion.
To flatter means to praise someone excessively to gain favor. In this context, he praises his boss to get a promotion.
The painter used bright colors to ___ the landscape.
To flatter can also mean to make something appear better than it actually is. The bright colors make the landscape look better.
She doesn't like people who ___ her all the time.
She doesn't like people who praise her excessively, which is the definition of flatter.
The mirror ___ her reflection, making her look taller.
The mirror made her appear better (taller) than she is, which is a meaning of flatter.
It's easy to see when someone is trying to ___ you.
It's easy to see when someone is praising you excessively to gain favor.
His compliments often ___ his friends, even if they aren't true.
His compliments praise his friends, even if insincerely, to make them feel good.
My friend always ___ me, saying my cooking is the best.
'Flatters' means to praise someone, sometimes to gain favor. Here, the friend is praising the cooking.
She tried to ___ her boss by saying his new tie was very stylish.
To 'flatter' someone means to praise them, often to get something. Saying the tie is stylish is a form of praise.
The painter tried to ___ the old house in his painting, making it look new.
To 'flatter' can also mean to make something appear better than it is. The painter made the old house look new.
If you flatter someone, you are always telling them the truth about how good they are.
To flatter someone often means to praise them insincerely, not always truthfully, usually to gain favor.
A photograph that flatters you makes you look worse than you really are.
If a photograph flatters you, it makes you look better than you really are, not worse.
When someone flatters you, they are giving you a compliment.
Flattering someone involves giving them praise or a compliment, even if it's not always sincere.
Think about why someone might praise their boss.
Consider what a dress can do for a person's appearance.
This phrase suggests someone is being too confident.
Read this aloud:
She likes to flatter people to make them happy.
Focus: fla-tter
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
He flatters his mother's cooking, even if it's not the best.
Focus: fla-tters
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
The painting flatters the model.
Focus: flat-ters
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short sentence about someone saying nice things to get something they want. Use the word "flatter" or "flatterS".
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
He tries to flatter his teacher so she gives him a good grade.
Imagine you see a picture that makes a small room look much bigger. Write one sentence using the word "flatter" to describe the picture.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
The photo flatters the small apartment, making it look huge.
Your friend got a new haircut, but you don't like it. Write a sentence where you politely say something that might flatter them, even if you don't fully mean it.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Your new haircut really flatters your face!
Why did Maria tell her boss his idea was brilliant?
Read this passage:
Maria told her boss that his new idea was brilliant, even though she thought it was not very good. She hoped he would give her more important tasks. She wanted to flatter him to get a promotion.
Why did Maria tell her boss his idea was brilliant?
The passage states, 'She wanted to flatter him to get a promotion.' This means she praised him to gain favor.
The passage states, 'She wanted to flatter him to get a promotion.' This means she praised him to gain favor.
What does it mean that 'The advertisement was made to flatter the car'?
Read this passage:
The old car looked very nice in the advertisement. The colors were bright, and there were no scratches shown. But when John went to see it, the car was old and had many problems. The advertisement was made to flatter the car.
What does it mean that 'The advertisement was made to flatter the car'?
The passage explains that the car looked nice in the ad but had many problems in reality. So, the ad made it look better than it was.
The passage explains that the car looked nice in the ad but had many problems in reality. So, the ad made it look better than it was.
Why do some people flatter others?
Read this passage:
Some people flatter others by saying many kind words. They do this because they want something from them, like a favor or a gift. It's important to know if someone is truly kind or just trying to flatter you.
Why do some people flatter others?
The passage states, 'They do this because they want something from them, like a favor or a gift.'
The passage states, 'They do this because they want something from them, like a favor or a gift.'
This sentence structure shows a person performing an action on another person.
This sentence describes an attempt to flatter someone.
This sentence explains how something can make you appear better.
Which of these is an example of someone flattering another person?
Flattering involves insincere praise, often to gain favor. In this case, the praise was not genuine.
When a painting 'flatters' the subject, what does it mean?
To 'flatter' can also mean to make something appear better than it actually is.
Why might someone flatter their boss?
Flattery is often done to gain favor, such as a promotion or a raise from a superior.
If you genuinely admire someone's work and tell them so, you are flattering them.
Flattery involves insincere praise. Genuine admiration is sincere and therefore not flattery.
A photograph that flatters you makes you look less attractive than you really are.
When something 'flatters' you, it makes you look better than you really are, not worse.
People who flatter others always have good intentions.
Flattery is often done to gain personal advantage, which may not always be for good intentions.
Think about why someone might praise their boss excessively.
Consider the motive behind his compliments.
How can colors make something look better?
Read this aloud:
She flatters everyone, but I don't think she's sincere.
Focus: flatt-ers, sin-cere
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
His compliments often flatter me, even when I know they're not entirely true.
Focus: com-pli-ments, flat-ter
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Does this dress flatter my figure?
Focus: dress, flat-ter, fig-ure
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you received a compliment that felt insincere. Describe the situation and how it made you feel. Use the word 'flatters' in your response.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
My colleague told me my presentation was amazing, but I knew I hadn't prepared well. It felt like she was just trying to flatter me to get me to help with her project, and it made me feel a bit annoyed because I prefer honest feedback.
Write a short paragraph about a situation where someone might flatter another person to get something they want. Make sure to use the verb 'flatters' correctly.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Sometimes, a student might flatter their teacher about their teaching style, hoping to get a better grade or an extension on an assignment. They might say things like, 'Your lectures are so inspiring,' even if they don't truly believe it, just to gain favor.
Describe a time when someone made something seem better than it actually was, using the word 'flatters' in your description. For example, a real estate agent might flatter a small apartment by calling it 'cozy.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
When I was looking at cars, the salesman really tried to flatter the old model by calling it a 'classic' and saying it had 'character,' when in reality, it was just very old and needed a lot of repairs.
What is the main reason Mark compliments Mr. Henderson excessively?
Read this passage:
Mark was new to the office and wanted to make a good impression on his boss, Mr. Henderson. Every morning, Mark would tell Mr. Henderson how smart he looked or how brilliant his ideas were. Mr. Henderson appreciated the compliments but sometimes wondered if Mark was just trying to flatter him to get ahead. He preferred honest feedback from his employees.
What is the main reason Mark compliments Mr. Henderson excessively?
The passage states that Mark 'wanted to make a good impression on his boss' and 'sometimes wondered if Mark was just trying to flatter him to get ahead,' indicating his motivation.
The passage states that Mark 'wanted to make a good impression on his boss' and 'sometimes wondered if Mark was just trying to flatter him to get ahead,' indicating his motivation.
How did Sarah use flattery in this situation?
Read this passage:
Sarah was trying to sell her old car. It had a few dents and the paint was fading. When a potential buyer came to look at it, Sarah pointed out the 'vintage charm' of the vehicle and described the small scratches as 'character marks.' She hoped to flatter the car's appearance and make it seem more attractive than it truly was.
How did Sarah use flattery in this situation?
Sarah described the car's flaws in a positive light ('vintage charm,' 'character marks') to make it appear better than it was, which is a form of flattery.
Sarah described the car's flaws in a positive light ('vintage charm,' 'character marks') to make it appear better than it was, which is a form of flattery.
Why did some people in the audience think the politician was flattering them?
Read this passage:
The politician's speech was full of promises and compliments for the audience. He told them they were the smartest and most hardworking citizens in the country. Many people in the crowd felt he was trying to flatter them to win their votes, rather than genuinely addressing their concerns. They wanted to hear concrete plans, not just praise.
Why did some people in the audience think the politician was flattering them?
The passage mentions that the politician 'told them they were the smartest and most hardworking citizens' and that people 'wanted to hear concrete plans, not just praise,' suggesting the flattery was an attempt to win votes without substance.
The passage mentions that the politician 'told them they were the smartest and most hardworking citizens' and that people 'wanted to hear concrete plans, not just praise,' suggesting the flattery was an attempt to win votes without substance.
This sentence structure correctly places the subject, verb, object, and infinitive phrase.
The order of words forms a grammatically correct sentence.
This sentence demonstrates the usage of 'flatters' to mean making something appear better.
She tried to ___ her boss with constant compliments, hoping for a promotion.
The context suggests an attempt to gain favor through excessive praise, which aligns with the meaning of 'flatter'.
The artist used clever lighting to ___ the painting, making it appear more vibrant than it truly was.
Here, 'flatter' refers to making something appear better than it actually is, which fits the description of enhancing the painting's vibrancy.
He would often ___ people with insincere praise to get what he wanted.
The phrase 'insincere praise to get what he wanted' clearly points to the definition of 'flatter'.
The photograph didn't ___ her; she looked much better in person.
In this context, 'flatter' means to make someone appear more attractive. If the photograph didn't flatter her, it didn't make her look as good as she is in real life.
It's easy to be swayed by someone who tries to ___ you with compliments, but it's important to discern their true intentions.
The presence of 'compliments' and the idea of being 'swayed' strongly suggest that 'flatter' is the correct verb here.
The new marketing campaign aims to ___ the product, highlighting its best features and downplaying its weaknesses.
Making the product appear better by highlighting its best features aligns with the 'make something appear better than it actually is' aspect of 'flatter'.
She always ______ her boss to get ahead, but it rarely works.
To flatter someone means to praise them excessively to gain favor. In this context, she is trying to get ahead by praising her boss.
The photographer used clever lighting to ______ the model's best features.
In this sense, to flatter means to make something appear better or more attractive than it actually is.
His compliments were so obvious; it was clear he was just trying to ______ her.
The phrase 'obvious compliments' suggests insincere praise given to gain favor, which aligns with the definition of 'flatter'.
If a dress flatters your figure, it means it makes you look worse.
If a dress flatters your figure, it means it makes you look more attractive, not worse.
When someone flatters you, they are usually giving genuine, heartfelt praise.
Flattering often implies insincere praise, given with an ulterior motive, not genuine heartfelt praise.
Artists often try to flatter their subjects in portraits by emphasizing their positive attributes.
Artists may try to make their subjects appear better than they are, which is a use of the word 'flatter'.
Imagine you're at a networking event. Describe a situation where someone might flatter their boss. What are their motivations, and what are the potential outcomes of such behavior?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
At a corporate mixer, I observed a junior employee constantly complimenting their manager's decisions, even when they seemed questionable. Their motivation was clearly to gain favor and potentially secure a promotion, hoping that the flattery would make them stand out. However, this could backfire, as colleagues might see through the insincerity, and the boss might eventually recognize it as manipulation rather than genuine admiration, potentially harming the employee's reputation and career in the long run.
Write a short paragraph about how an artist might 'flatter' their subject in a portrait to make them appear more appealing. What techniques might they use?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
An artist can subtly flatter their subject in a portrait by idealizing certain features. They might use soft lighting to minimize imperfections, enhance the subject's best angles through strategic perspective, or even slightly elongate lines to create a more graceful appearance. This artistic license allows them to present a more appealing, perhaps even idealized, version of the individual, going beyond a strict realistic portrayal.
Consider a product advertisement. How might the language used 'flatter' the product, making it seem more desirable than it truly is? Provide an example.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Product advertisements frequently flatter their offerings to boost desirability. They often use glamorous language and exaggerate benefits, appealing to emotions rather than facts. For instance, a skincare ad might claim a cream will make you 'look years younger' and give you 'flawless radiance' within days, even if the actual effects are minimal and gradual. This kind of wording flatters the product, making consumers believe it holds transformative powers it doesn't quite possess, serving as a marketing strategy to create an inflated sense of value.
What is Tom's primary motivation for flattering his manager?
Read this passage:
Sarah had always been a diligent employee, but she noticed that her colleague, Tom, seemed to be getting all the recognition despite doing less work. Tom had a knack for complimenting their manager's ideas enthusiastically, often with over-the-top praise, even when those ideas were impractical. It was clear to Sarah that Tom was using flattery as a means to advance his career, but she wondered if it was a sustainable strategy in the long run.
What is Tom's primary motivation for flattering his manager?
The passage states that Tom had a knack for complimenting their manager's ideas enthusiastically, often with over-the-top praise, even when those ideas were impractical, and that 'it was clear to Sarah that Tom was using flattery as a means to advance his career.'
The passage states that Tom had a knack for complimenting their manager's ideas enthusiastically, often with over-the-top praise, even when those ideas were impractical, and that 'it was clear to Sarah that Tom was using flattery as a means to advance his career.'
How did the real estate agent 'flatter' the old house?
Read this passage:
The old house had been neglected for years, but the real estate agent had a way of describing it that made it sound like a hidden gem. He spoke of its 'charming rustic character' and 'potential for bespoke customization,' glossing over the peeling paint and leaky roof. His words were designed to flatter the property, making prospective buyers overlook its obvious flaws and imagine a grander future for it.
How did the real estate agent 'flatter' the old house?
The passage mentions the agent spoke of its 'charming rustic character' and 'potential for bespoke customization,' while glossing over the peeling paint and leaky roof, which clearly indicates flattering the property by masking its flaws.
The passage mentions the agent spoke of its 'charming rustic character' and 'potential for bespoke customization,' while glossing over the peeling paint and leaky roof, which clearly indicates flattering the property by masking its flaws.
What was the main criticism of the presenter's speech?
Read this passage:
During the awards ceremony, the presenter's speech was full of compliments for the guest of honor. Every achievement was magnified, and every contribution was described in glowing terms. While some of it was deserved, many in the audience felt that the speech went beyond genuine appreciation and entered the realm of flattery, creating an almost artificial aura around the recipient. The intention seemed to be to impress rather than simply acknowledge.
What was the main criticism of the presenter's speech?
The passage states that 'many in the audience felt that the speech went beyond genuine appreciation and entered the realm of flattery, creating an almost artificial aura around the recipient.'
The passage states that 'many in the audience felt that the speech went beyond genuine appreciation and entered the realm of flattery, creating an almost artificial aura around the recipient.'
Listen for the context of 'flattered' and its implication.
Consider the second meaning of 'flatter' related to making something appear better.
Notice the negative connotation implied by 'insincere'.
Read this aloud:
It is important to be discerning when someone flatters you excessively, as their motives might not be pure.
Focus: discerning, excessively, motives, pure
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
While a little flattery can be harmless, constant and insincere praise often serves an ulterior motive.
Focus: flattery, harmless, insincere, ulterior
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Many politicians are adept at flattering their constituents to gain their support, even if their promises are hollow.
Focus: adept, constituents, promises, hollow
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies someone being flattered insincerely?
Flattering involves insincere praise, often with an ulterior motive. The salesperson's praise is likely disingenuous, aimed at securing a sale.
In which sentence is 'flatters' used to describe making something appear better than it is?
Here, 'flatters' refers to the portrait making the subject appear more attractive or less flawed than they might be in reality.
Which idiom is most closely related to the act of flattering someone to gain favor?
'Butter someone up' means to praise someone excessively, often insincerely, to win their favor, which aligns perfectly with the definition of 'flatters'.
To genuinely compliment someone's hard work is an example of 'flattering' them.
Flattering implies insincere praise, often for personal gain. A genuine compliment is sincere and lacks an ulterior motive.
A photograph that 'flatters' its subject makes the subject look worse than they actually are.
When something 'flatters' a subject, it makes them appear better or more attractive than they might be in reality, not worse.
If someone 'flatters' you, they are always being sincere in their praise.
The definition of 'flatters' explicitly states that the praise is 'often insincerely', indicating that sincerity is not always present when flattering someone.
Pay attention to the nuance of the compliments.
Consider how 'flatter' applies to an inanimate object or concept.
Listen for the description of his persuasive technique.
Read this aloud:
When someone attempts to flatter you with insincere praise, how do you typically respond?
Focus: insincere praise
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Can art or literature be said to 'flatter' a particular subject or perspective? Provide an example.
Focus: particular subject or perspective
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Discuss the ethical implications of using flattery as a tool for professional advancement or social manipulation.
Focus: ethical implications
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 102 correct
Perfect score!
