cupboard love

cupboard love

Love that is ultimately motivated by greed. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Ever since I won the lottery, I worry that any woman who expresses a romantic interest in me will just be a case of cupboard love.
See also: cupboard, love
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cupboard love

BRITISH
You use cupboard love to mean the insincere affection that children or animals show to someone who they think will give them what they want. My kids give me such a lovely welcome when they see me, I don't care if it is cupboard love. Note: The idea here is that cupboards often contain food or something else that a child or animal might want to have.
See also: cupboard, love
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

ˈcupboard love

(British English) affection that somebody shows towards somebody else in order to get something: The cat seems especially fond of her, but it’s just cupboard love. She’s the one who feeds him.
Cupboard here refers to food, which is kept in a cupboard, so this idiom originally meant showing love to somebody in order to get food.
See also: cupboard, love
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • Johnny One-Note
  • hit the jackpot
  • hit the jackpot, to
  • jackpot
  • more in sorrow than in anger
  • do something more in sorrow than in anger
  • drop (something) in (someone's) lap
  • drop in someone's lap
  • drop/dump something in somebody's lap
  • scream the place down
References in periodicals archive
Judith and Nolan started Cupboard Love 10 years ago and make all the food themselves from bread to pizza bases, savouries and cakes when they cater for everything from private parties such as birthdays and anniversaries to corporate functions.
Fabulous foraged fruit; With an abundance of blackberries growing in hedgerows around the country, Jenny Longhurst discovers how to put them to good use
Judith and Nolan set up Cupboard Love seven years ago and have produced many a berry dessert for summer occasions.
Berry tasty! eating in
"I hear that's just cupboard love," sniggered Derek.
Bill Newman's Diary: Is it big romance or just cupboard love?
It could have been a recipe for a moderately-funny movie, but turns sideways into a cupboard love story.
Buffy the Script Slayer with a recipe for disaster; SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE(PG)
PICTURE PERFECT: Picture frames painted in ProAqua Eggshell paint, pounds 26 for 750ml (colours shown, L-R: Forget Me Not, Cupboard Love, Lemony, Polka Dot and Tutu), from Earthborn Paints CUPBOARD LOVE: glass-fronted dresser painted with Colours Quick Drying Gloss in Lemon Ice, pounds 9.98 for 750ml and cupboard interior painted in Colours Everywhere in Warm Yellow, pounds 15.98 for 2.5l.
Transform your home in minutes; Give your home a speedy makeover with Gabrielle Fagan''s quick fixes, weekend projects and a guide to making a grand entrance
BORN TO BE WILD Jamie hopes to release his corncrakes TAPPED Sales of water POACHERS Rhinos are still under threat RIVALRY Julie is on a mission IN HOPE Connie returns CUPBOARD LOVE Ian hears that he's a rubbish husband
We love telly; PICK OF THE DAY
cupboard love CHEAT your way to gourmet with Heston Blumenthal's new Waitrose range.
Why gentlemen prefer a afternoon tea; Jade Wright meets the chaps reviving the spirit of the gentleman's club,with a gourmet twist
She ent on to appear in Down To Earth, Holby City and Doctors, and the award-winning film Cupboard Love.
UGLY DUGCKLING TO BIKER CHICK; EXCLUSIVE: Amazing transformation of blonde actress putting her co-stars in a leather lather TV Heartbeat star Vanessa was the class geek who found glamour
UP FOR THE CRAKE Jamie hopes to release his corncrakes TAPPED Sales of water POACHERS Rhinos are still under threat RIVALRY Julie is on a mission IN HOPE Connie returns CUPBOARD LOVE Ian hears that he's a rubbish husband
We love telly; PICK OF THE DAY
* DOWNLOAD Cup of Love Bakery's menu at www.cupoflovebakery.co.uk cupboard love SPRINKLE some sugar and sweet delight with the help of these pretty cake tins, trays and place mats from the Iced Fancies range, at TJ Hughes.
A taste of New York glamour in Aigburth; For National Cupcake Week, Jade Wright finds out the secrets behind the recipes at the Cup of Love Bakery
DRAMATIC STORY: Zoe, as Zoe Carpenter, faces a murder trial CUPBOARD LOVE: Zoe Lister who is enjoying her latest Hollyoaks storyline
I've been stuck in a cupboard for weeks; Dawn Collinson talks to Hollyoaker Zoe Lister and finds out being on TV isn't all about glamour
She also starred as seductress Anges in the award- winning film Cupboard Love and apart from her stint selling perfume she hasn't been out of work since.
ASCENT OF ROSIE'S! Telly babe Vanessa reveals days as a saucy salesgirl before starring in hit show Playing the Heartbeat garage tomboy saved me from a life dressed in sexy nurse's uniform and fishnets, selling perfume that smelled of old ladies
BORN TO BE WILD Jamie hopes to release his corncrakes POACHERS Rhinos are still under threat TAPPED Sales of water HOPEFULS The Irish beauties PRESENTER Duncan Stewart CUPBOARD LOVE Ian hears that he's a rubbish husband
We love telly; PICK OF THE DAY
Tel: 0151 648 9898, www@cromwells-irby.co.uk; Twitter: @cromwellswirral cupboard love WEAR your heart on your table with this beautiful heart-shaped silver sand cast aluminum salad bowl.
How the good life just keeps getting better; Jade Wright meets the Wirral restaurateurs digging for victory and growing their own fruit and vegetables
(It was cupboard love - I really wanted a gold wallet as my present!)
Ireland my Ireland: Liz Kennedy - I led the gang that varnished the truth; Name: Liz Kennedy Occupation: Broadcaster and arts journalist