cupboard love

cupboard love
noun
a show of affection motivated by selfishness
Hypernyms: ↑kindness, ↑benignity

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noun
: insincere love professed for the sake of gain

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a personal attachment that appears to be motivated by love but in fact stems from the hope of gain.
[1750-60]

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cupboard love UK US noun [uncountable] old-fashioned
love or friendship that someone, especially a child, suddenly starts to show towards someone else because they want something from them
Thesaurus: feelings of love, respect and admirationsynonym

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cupboard love,
a love inspired by considerations of what one can get with it; interested affection.

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ˈcupboard love idiom
(BrE) affection that sb, especially a child, shows towards sb else in order to get sth
Main entry:cupboardidiom

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Cupboard love — Cupboard Cup board (k[u^]b b[ e]rd), n. [Cup + board.] 1. A board or shelf for cups and dishes. [Obs.] Bacon. [1913 Webster] 2. A small closet in a room, with shelves to receive cups, dishes, food, etc.; hence, any small closet. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cupboard love — is an English phrase referring to affection that is given purely to gain a reward. The term derives from the way in which a cat will give a cupboard containing its food superficial love (which is not normally exhibited) when it wants to be… …   Wikipedia

  • Cupboard Love — is an English phrase referring to affection that is given purely to gain a reward.The term is derives from the way in which a cat will give a cupboard containing its food superficial love (which is not normally exhibited) when it wants to be fed …   Wikipedia

  • cupboard love — (UK) To show love to gain something from someone …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • cupboard love — ► NOUN ▪ affection that is feigned so as to obtain something …   English terms dictionary

  • cupboard love — noun Insincere (and usually fickle) love pretended in the hope of gaining something useful in exchange. This last and long enduring passion for Mrs Thrale was, however, composed equally perhaps of cupboard love, Platonic love, and vanity tickled… …   Wiktionary

  • cupboard love — British & Australian love that you give in order to get something from someone. I suspected all along it was just cupboard love, and what she really liked about him was his car …   New idioms dictionary

  • cupboard love — cupboard lover. a personal attachment that appears to be motivated by love but in fact stems from the hope of gain. [1750 60] * * * …   Universalium

  • cupboard-love — cupˈboard love noun Hypocritical show of affection for material gain • • • Main Entry: ↑cupboard …   Useful english dictionary

  • cupboard love — Brit. affection that is feigned so as to obtain something. → cupboard …   English new terms dictionary

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