disease to please

the disease to please

A constant need to make others happy. I think you're miserable because you have the disease to please. Try doing what makes you happy instead.
See also: disease, please
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

(the) disease to please

an obsessive need to please people. I, like so many, am afflicted with the disease to please. I am just too nice for my own good.
See also: disease, please
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • the disease to please
  • the happy day
  • many happy returns of the day
  • happy days
  • many happy returns
  • cut back to
  • cut back to (someone or something)
  • bunny
  • be
  • (as) happy as the day is long
References in periodicals archive
"I think this is a moment where no matter what business you work in, there have been women who not only had the disease to please, that's a part of it, but who felt that in order to keep my job, in order to keep my positioning, in order to keep moving forward, I've got to smile, I've got to look the other way, I've got to pretend he didn't say that, I've got to pretend he didn't touch me - I think those days are about to be over." Trump vs Oprah Trump, who has lauded Winfrey as worthy of the vice presidency, dismissed her on Tuesday as a threat, albeit cordially.
Oprah 2020? Winfrey called out on Weinstein 'friendship' after Golden Globes sexual harassment speech
Jason referred to the joy of beating the "disease to please", Liz quipped, "As you get older the control mechanism on the jaw relaxes", while Helen Mirren, the poster girl of gerontology, sums it up spicily when she says: "At 70 years old, if I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to use the words f*** off much more frequently."
The joys of ageing?The Shipping Forecast and not giving a damn
US chat show queen Oprah Winfrey calls saying yes to all demands on your time "the disease to please".
Spring clean your life; Clean out cupboards, chuck old clothes, fix finances, learn how to say no, and tell your partner they're beautiful EXPERTS TELL US HOW TO GET RID OF THAT UNNECESSARY CLUTTER
p How To Say No: Kick The Disease To Please by Corinne Sweet, is published by Help Yourself, priced pounds 6.99.
Lifestyle : Trust me - I've got oxytocin; What does it take to believe someone is genuine A simple hormone according to Emma Pomfret
She calls it "the disease to please." You'd be shocked, shocked, to know how many Sisters have it.
The Price Of Nice
This is the first step toward curing ourselves of what Oprah calls "the disease to please." It's tough at first, but the more you do it, the easier it gets.
Seize the moment
US CHAT show queen Oprah Winfrey called it the disease to please and latest research reveals it's hit epidemic proportions.
Have you got the Please disease? Learning to say "no" could change your life and stop you being treated like a doormat by those who take advantage of your willing good nature