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

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

But it isn’t cupboard love, at least not quite.

From The Rustle of Silk by Hamilton, Cosmo

Perhaps my enthusiasm for California sounds a little like cupboard love.

From The Smiling Hill-Top And Other California Sketches by Winslow, Carleton M.

So no one could accuse Dolls of cupboard love.

From Aileen Aroon, A Memoir With other Tales of Faithful Friends and Favourites by Stables, Gordon

He has a cupboard love for Sarah, but I think that his affection for me is simon-pure.

From Mavis of Green Hill by Baldwin, Faith