Cupboard love

Cupboard love
Cupboard Cup"board (k[u^]b"b[~e]rd), n. [Cup + board.] 1. A board or shelf for cups and dishes. [Obs.] --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

2. A small closet in a room, with shelves to receive cups, dishes, food, etc.; hence, any small closet. [1913 Webster]

{Cupboard love}, interested love, or that which has an eye to the cupboard. ``A cupboard love is seldom true.'' --Poor Robin. [Colloq.]

{To cry cupboard}, to call for food; to express hunger. [Colloq.] ``My stomach cries cupboard.'' --W. Irving. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Cupboard love — is an English phrase referring to affection that is given purely to gain a reward. The term derives from the way in which a cat will give a cupboard containing its food superficial love (which is not normally exhibited) when it wants to be… …   Wikipedia

  • Cupboard Love — is an English phrase referring to affection that is given purely to gain a reward.The term is derives from the way in which a cat will give a cupboard containing its food superficial love (which is not normally exhibited) when it wants to be fed …   Wikipedia

  • cupboard love — (UK) To show love to gain something from someone …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • cupboard love — ► NOUN ▪ affection that is feigned so as to obtain something …   English terms dictionary

  • cupboard love — noun a show of affection motivated by selfishness • Hypernyms: ↑kindness, ↑benignity * * * noun : insincere love professed for the sake of gain • cupboard lover noun * * * cupboard lover. a personal attac …   Useful english dictionary

  • cupboard love — noun Insincere (and usually fickle) love pretended in the hope of gaining something useful in exchange. This last and long enduring passion for Mrs Thrale was, however, composed equally perhaps of cupboard love, Platonic love, and vanity tickled… …   Wiktionary

  • cupboard love — British & Australian love that you give in order to get something from someone. I suspected all along it was just cupboard love, and what she really liked about him was his car …   New idioms dictionary

  • cupboard love — cupboard lover. a personal attachment that appears to be motivated by love but in fact stems from the hope of gain. [1750 60] * * * …   Universalium

  • cupboard-love — cupˈboard love noun Hypocritical show of affection for material gain • • • Main Entry: ↑cupboard …   Useful english dictionary

  • cupboard love — Brit. affection that is feigned so as to obtain something. → cupboard …   English new terms dictionary

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