揀佛燒香 jiǎn fó shāo xiāng

seek favor from the powerful; kiss up

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. to choose which Buddha to burn incense to (idiom); fig. to curry favor from the right person

Characters

Character Meaning
揀 jiǎn
to choose; to pick; to sort out
佛 fó HSK 5
seemingly; (female) head ornament; variant of 彿fú
燒 shāo
to burn; to heat; to cook
香 xiāng HSK 3
fragrant; sweet smelling; aromatic