arse-licking

British vulgar slang with two distinct senses. The literal sense refers to anilingus (oral-anal sexual contact), though this usage is relatively uncommon in everyday speech. Far more current is the figurative sense: obsequious, fawning behaviour aimed at gaining favour — the kind of shameless flattery and sycophancy associated with office politics or social climbing. 'Arse-licker' is the common agent noun. The figurative use is direct, contemptuous, and vivid — making it a popular insult for obvious flatterers.

Carries two related vulgar senses in British and Commonwealth English: literally, anilingus; and figuratively, sycophancy or obsequious flattery toward someone in authority. The figurative sense is far more commonly encountered in everyday speech, roughly equivalent to brown-nosing. Used with contempt for the behavior being described. A very common British informal expression for workplace or social toadying. Arse-licking in the figurative sense can describe workplace dynamics, political alignment, or social climbing wherever sycophantic behavior is the strategy being used.

(slang, vulgar) Sycophancy.

(slang, vulgar) Anilingus.