good graces

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Noun

good graces pl (plural only)

1. (idiomatic) Favorable regard; personal approval; kindly treatment.
   • 1831, Sir Walter Scott, My Aunt Margaret's Mirror:

     [H]e had insinuated himself into the good graces of an ancient and rich burgomaster, and, by his handsome person and graceful manners, captivated the affections of his only child.

   • 1894, Mark Twain, chapter 6, in The Tragedy of Pudd'Nhead Wilson:

     [T]he twins' charm of manner and easy and polished bearing made speedy conquest of the family's good graces.

   • 1910, Lucy Maud Montgomery, chapter 16, in Kilmeny of the Orchard:

     David had, in the space of an hour, captured Mrs. Williamson's heart, wormed himself into the good graces of Timothy, and become hail-fellow-well-met with old Robert.

   • 1996 February 6, Clifford Krauss, “New York's Thin, Angry Blue Line”, in New York Times, retrieved 26 December 2012:

     That has prompted leaders of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association to threaten to withhold support for the Mayor's re-election bid. "He's not in our good graces now," said Louis Matarazzo, the P.B.A. president. "We're not endorsing anyone now."

   • 2008 November 18, Jay Newton-Small, “Why the Democrats — and Obama — Forgave Lieberman”, in Time:

     Joe Lieberman has never been shy about speaking his mind. . ., leaving his fate as chairman of the Homeland Security Committee and member of the Democratic caucus to depend on the good graces of Senate Democrats.

Usage notes

• Now often found in the phrase "in [someone's] good graces" or "into [someone's] good graces".

Synonyms

• good books

References

• “good graces”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.