There are other phrases meaning the same thing as ?applepolishing?—?softsoaping? or ?butteringup?. A gift is just one way to ?softsoap? somebody, or to “butter him up”. Another that is just as effective is flattery, giving someone high praise—telling him how good he looks, or how well he speaks, or how talented and wise he is.
Endless are the ways of flattery. Who does not love to hear it? Only an unusual man can resist the thrill of being told how wonderful he is. In truth, flattery is good medicine for most of us, who get so little of it.
We need it to be more sure of ourselves. It cannot hurt unless we get carried away by it. But if we just lap it up for its good value and nourishment, as a cat laps up milk, then we can still remain true to ourselves.
Sometimes, however, flattery will get you nothing from one who has had too much of it. A good example is the famous 12th century legend of King Canute of Denmark and England. The king got tired of listening to endless sickening flattery of his courtiers(朝臣). They overpraised him to the skies, as a man of limitless might.
He decided to teach them a lesson. He took them to the seashore and sat down. Then he ordered the waves to stop coming in. The tide was too busy to listen to him. The king was satisfied. This might show his followers how weak his power was and how empty their flattery was.
1.Which of the following activities has nothing to do with “applepolishing”?
【2016湖南株洲市荷塘区高考英语完形填空和阅读理解一轮练习(4)及答案】相关文章:
★ 湖南省汝城二中2014届高考英语一轮复习阅读训练 (31)
★ 贵州省贵阳市2014高考英语(新人教版)一轮阅读训练(39)附答案
★ 贵州省贵阳市2014高考英语(新人教版)一轮阅读训练(26)附答案
★ 浙江省湖州市2014高考英语阅读理解一轮(暑假)精炼(17)含答案
★ 湖南省汝城二中2014届高考英语一轮复习阅读训练 (40)
★ 重庆市2014高考英语阅读理解一轮(精品)训练题(7)附答案
★ 湖南省汝城二中2014届高考英语一轮复习阅读训练 (67)
★ 安徽省淮南市2014高考英语一轮单项选择及文章训练(19)及答案
★ 常熟市2014高考英阅读理解语一轮(暑假)训练题(2)及答案
★ 2017年高考英语二轮复习精品资料:专题14 阅读理解(教学案)(原卷版)
最新
2017-04-24
2017-04-24
2017-04-24
2017-04-24
2017-04-21
2017-04-21