1. Home
2. Idioms
3. pay court to

pay court to

---

---

pay court to someone

Fig. to solicit someone's attention; to woo someone. The lawyer was thought to be paying court to too many politicians. The lobbyist paid court to all the influential members of Congress.

See also: court, pay

pay court to

Solicit the favors or affection of, as in If you want to win the daughter, you'll have to pay court to her mother. [Late 1500s]

See also: court, pay

pay court to

1. To flatter with solicitous overtures in an attempt to obtain something or clear away antagonism.

2. To seek someone's love; woo.

See also: court, pay