Synonyms

brownie points

Idioms

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.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Its catchy music and dance sequences made it hugely popular with young audiences, and Jenkins joked she got "brownie points" from her children, aged seven and 10, "for at least trying it".

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2025

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

She also noted that, thanks to Bieber’s Halloween homage, “I think I won brownie points with my kids !!!!”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 16, 2021

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

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2019

“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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023