cupboard love

American  

noun

1. a personal attachment that appears to be motivated by love but in fact stems from the hope of gain.

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cupboard love British  

noun

1. a show of love inspired only by some selfish or greedy motive

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Other Word Forms

• cupboard lover
  noun

Etymology

Origin of cupboard love

First recorded in 1750–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cupboard love

Ancient Greeks had no word for cupboard love, but, undoubtedly, this is a love the vast majority of animal pets may feel for us.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 16, 2019

I won't pretend to say, but it evidently is intended to suggest cupboard love, and there is a portentously large pitcher of ale in reserve on the bench.

From Line and Form (1900) by Walter Crane

It would display, for the careful eye, the hatless Kelly filleting a flying fish, against the bunker hatch, for his friend the cat, who should be gazing up with cupboard love at her unshaven protector.

From The Bonadventure A Random Journal of an Atlantic Holiday by Edmund Blunden

This last and long-enduring passion for Mrs. Thrale was, however, composed perhaps of cupboard love, Platonic love, and vanity tickled and gratified, from morn to night, by incessant homage.

From Autobiography, Letters and Literary Remains of Mrs. Piozzi (Thrale) (2nd ed.) (2 vols.) Edited with notes and Introductory Account of her life and writings by Hester Lynch Piozzi

He wants love, not gifts, from his people, a love which on their part does not fawn for other gifts from him in return, like the cupboard love of kittens purring for cream.

From Hebrew Life and Times by Harold B. (Harold Bruce) Hunting