brownie

brownie point

An informal and intangible mark of credit or approval, as from having done a good deed or by ingratiating oneself to others (especially one's superiors). Usually used in the plural. The company earned brownie points with the community for contributing part of their yearly earnings toward local development. You might get brownie points from the boss for volunteering to do things around the office, but it won't translate into a pay raise or promotion.
See also: brownie, point

brownie points

Praise or appreciation, usually a result of something one has done. I think I'll earn some brownie points with my mom if I set the table.
See also: brownie, point

earn brownie points

To elicit praise or be viewed favorably by one due to some action. I think I'll earn some brownie points with my mom if I set the table.
See also: brownie, earn, point
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

brownie points

Credit for a good deed, as in John earned a lot of brownie points for doing his boss's report for him. The term originated with the points earned for various achievements by the youngest group of the Girl Scouts, called Brownies. In the mid-1900s it was transferred to general use.
See also: brownie, point
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

brownie points

COMMON If someone gets brownie points for doing something, they are praised and admired for it. You might want to earn brownie points by fitting in with the local traditions. These promotions allow supermarkets to score brownie points with the consumer by offering them a cheap deal. Note: The Brownies is an organization for young girls. Members are expected to be well-behaved and helpful.
See also: brownie, point
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

brownie point

an imaginary award given to someone who does good deeds or tries to please. informal
The Brownies are the junior wing of the Guides; the organization awards points and badges for proficiency in various activities.
See also: brownie, point
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˈbrownie points

if somebody does something to earn brownie points, they do it to make somebody in authority have a good opinion of them: She’s only working late to win brownie points with the boss. OPPOSITE: a black mark (against somebody)
The Brownies is a club for young girls which trains them in practical skills and does a lot of activities such as camping. The girls are awarded points for good behaviour and achievements.
See also: brownie, point
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

brownie points

n. imaginary credit for doing something well. (Originally “demerits” in railroading.) How many brownie points do I get for not frowning when you take my picture?
See also: brownie, point

brown-nose

1. and brownie and brown-noser n. a sycophant; one who flatters for self-serving motives. You are just a plain old brown-nose. Will some brown-noser please try to get the teacher to put off the test?
2. tv. & in. to curry favor with someone; to be a sycophant. Don keeps brown-nosing, and the professor pretends not to notice.

brownie

verb
See brown-nose
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

brownie points, win

Earn credits to one’s good standing, advancement, or the like. The term comes from the system of awards used by the junior division of the Girl Scouts of America, called the Brownies. In the mid-twentieth century it began to be applied figuratively to good deeds or worthy accomplishments in any area.
See also: brownie, win
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • brownie point
  • et aliae
  • et alia
  • stat
  • stats
  • desperate straits
  • bill
  • prelim
  • prelims
  • peepers
References in periodicals archive
Val Laverty, commissioner, said: "It was wonderful to see our young members from all over our local area come together to celebrate The Big Brownie Birthday."
Girls celebrate Brownie birthday
Wrap each brownie in plastic wrap and freeze for 30 minutes.
Healthier twist on baked Alaska
She manages to work fulltime and run the Brownies. " Lucy, who lives in Acton, Suffolk, with parents Jean, 48, and Peter, 58, attends Acton and Waldingfield Brownies every Tuesday evening.
I'm the last Brownie; ONLY GIRL LEFT IN HER TROOP PLACES ADVERT FOR RECRUITS
"My aim is to raise public awareness of The Chocolate Brownie Company brand and it seems to be working, as people are now talking about it," she said.
Chocolate brownies are a hit at show
Business is booming for entrepreneur Vicky Critcher whose delicious homemade Welsh chocolate brownies are going down a storm with customers across the country.
The Chocolate Brownie Company
These " kickass brownies," as Adnan calls them, are the third version of the brownie that he started with some months ago.
On brownies, be guided by your fudgy logic RAHUL IRANI
Pecan Deluxe's soft brownie inclusions are combined with a rich chocolate fudge sauce before being swirled into real dairy ice-cream, to produce a truly indulgent soft ice-cream dessert for use by the customer worldwide.
Pecan Deluxe's global brownie explosion
PER BROWNIE 260 CAL., 48% (126 CAL.) FROM FAT; 2.7 G PROTEIN; 14 G FAT (8.3 G SAT.); 34 G CARBO (1.3 G FIBER); 100 MG SODIUM; 51 MG CHOL.
Christmas stars: topped with thin, crisp sheets of red-and-white peppermint, these are the ultimate holiday brownies
So what is that special factor that makes a brownie different from a cake, or a biscuit?
RESTAURANTS: Dip into mouth-watering recipes that take the biscuit even for people who hate cooking; EATING IN
Naomi Essome, 7th grade: That was the most delicious brownie I've ever tasted.
Great brownie, questionable name: 'chocolate and vanilla taste great together.'
Gone is the tradition of making a cup of tea to prove a Brownie's worth - today's youngsters are employing their passion for gadgets to earn their Brownie Guide badges.
Brownie points the way
WHAT YOU NEED 1 box chocolate brownie mix, prepared according to directions on box (1/2 cup off, 1/4 cup water, 2 eggs) * 1 cup peanut butter chips * 1/4 cup chopped pecans * 1/4 cup mini-marshmallows
Score some brownie points
There are tons of characters, but we never get to know any of them, least of all the lead character, Treasure Lee (Yolonda Ross), a 21-year-old happy to be transferred from juvie to a women's prison because she's been dreaming about being reunited with her mother, Brownie (Davenia McFadden), who's incarcerated there.
Stranger Inside
During the weeks in the hospital, two things brought me special comfort: the mountains of spiritual bouquets -- a gathering of prayers that people promised to say on my behalf -- that I received from classmates and a Christmas box made by my Brownie troop.
When you care enough to send the very blessed
brownie a derivative of brown;apparently so called from its supposed dusky color
brownie