brownie points

Idioms  

1. Credit for a good deed, as in John earned a lot of brownie points for doing his boss's report for him. The term originated with the points earned for various achievements by the youngest group of the Girl Scouts, called Brownies. In the mid-1900s it was transferred to general use.

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Example Sentences

I don’t want to say this to try to get ideological brownie points, but the fact of the matter is there's nothing enormously brave about me, right?

From Salon • Oct. 24, 2024

For extra brownie points, throw in a tea infuser.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2022

I didn’t boast about what a great ally I was or ask for brownie points.

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2019

Although open for less than a year, she says the museum has already attracted "bakers, craftspeople, nostalgia hunters, eco-warriors... and those wanting brownie points when troublesome mothers-in-law visit".

From BBC • Oct. 20, 2018

“That’s true form, perfect brother. The Great Peacemaker. You rack up brownie points with Mom and maintain the image of the perfect son.”

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy