flatter

flatter (one's) figure

To fit one's body well and make it look especially attractive, as of clothing. You look gorgeous—that dress really flatters your figure!
See also: figure, flatter

flatter (oneself)

To hold a vain, self-congratulatory, and exaggeratedly high opinion of oneself and/or one's achievements. Yeah, don't flatter yourself—she only asked you out to dinner because she wants to ask you about your brother. Gaston likes to flatter himself that he's the best man in town, but everyone knows he's just a pompous jerk.
See also: flatter

flatter to deceive

To seem better or more promising than someone or something really is. A: "I can't believe that team didn't make the playoffs after starting the season so well." B: "I guess they just flattered to deceive."
See also: deceive, flatter
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

flatter one's figure

Fig. [for clothing] to make one look thin or to make one's figure look better than it is. The lines of this dress really flatter your figure. The trousers had a full cut that flattered Maria's figure.
See also: figure, flatter
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

flatter oneself

Be gratified vainly by one's own achievement; exaggerate one's good points. For example, He flattered himself that his presentation at the sales conference was a success, or She flattered herself that she was by far the best skater at the rink. This usage is often put negatively, as in Don't flatter yourself-we haven't won the contract yet. [Late 1500s]
See also: flatter
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

flatter to deceive

encourage on insufficient grounds and cause disappointment.
1913 Field Two furlongs from home Maiden Erlegh looked most dangerous, but he flattered only to deceive.
See also: deceive, flatter
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • flatter (one's) figure
  • flatter figure
  • figure out
  • figure into
  • figure into (something)
  • cut a figure
  • cut a fine, poor, sorry, etc. figure
  • a ballpark figure
  • ballpark figure
  • ballpark figure, a
References in periodicals archive
Hastanin elektrokardiyografisinde (EKG) sol atriyal genisleme ve atriyal flatter (Sekil 1), telekardiyografisinde kardiyomegali ve sol atriyal genisleme (Sekil 2) saptandi.
Hammock mitral valve as a cause of atrial flutter: three months old infant case/Atriyal flattere neden olan hamak mitral kapak: uc aylik bebek olgu
WANTS A DRESS THAT Shows off but still flatters her athletic figure.
Cute dresses for every body!
They began to flatter themselves that they were special."
YOU'RE TOO KIND: A Brief History of Flattery
"Everyone else did a really good job as well though; the second goal didn't flatter us and if we'd gone and got a third and a fourth I don't think that would have flattered us either.
Pools run continues with win at the double; POOLS
Try trousers that sit higher on the waist to eliminate muffin tops, and flat front pleats will flatter hips.
Wardrobe MAGIC; Cheat your way to a slimmer figure with styling tricks that will help you 'lose' pounds instantly. Lisa Haynes on how to master the art of illusion dressing
Stylish knitwear designs for sweaters, tank tops and camisoles that fit and flatter well make for a fine gathering of versatile patterns that have a fine modern finish for women of all sizes, making for a specific knitter's guide that goes beyond the usual 'one size fits all' approach.
Knits to Fit & Flatter
While we welcomed flatter shoes during the summer, autumn sees us in heels once again.
Kelly's Best Buys: Cheap Chic; GET THE CATWALK LOOK AT HIGH-STREET PRICES
Reinforcing fabrics are getting thinner and flatter to improve part surface quality and reduce costs.
Composites: new rapid molding technologies and unusual reinforcement at Paris JEC Show
The new ball will always swing but once the shine goes the track will get flatter and flatter.
Cricket: Batters trust Lord's wicket
The flatter, or less spherical, the galaxy, the more rapid the twisting.
New twist in the old search for dark matter
The 2s-10s spread is 1 bp flatter near +31 bp, the 2s-30s spread 1.5 bp flatter near +44 bp and the 5s-30s spread 1.2 bp flatter at +24 bp.
Treasury Action: bearish curve flattening
This trusty staple has the ability to update an entire seasonal wardrobe and flatter your figure.
CHILL OUT
Fit: After being measured at both the hip and the bum I discovered I was a "demi-curve" which is aimed at women who find their jeans fit well at the waist and hips but don't flatter the legs.
It's all in the jeans
As for quality, he says, "Our claim to fame is consistency-- flatter film.
Outrunning the Competition