mutual admiration society

Idioms  

1. A relationship in which two people have strong feelings of esteem for each other and often exchange lavish compliments. The term may signify either genuine or pretended admiration, as in Each of them praised the other's book—it was a real mutual admiration society. The expression was invented by Henry David Thoreau in his journal (1851) and repeated by Oliver Wendell Holmes and others.

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Example Sentences

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mutual admiration society

Thyme and honey belong to a mutual admiration society, as do berries and buttermilk; the woodiness of the herb plays beautifully against tangy yogurt, while orange zest somehow charms the entire table.

From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026

Instead, as Smith and McAdoo met the media in their respective cities Thursday, they gave off the vibe of a mutual admiration society.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 8, 2022

Russell and Herman Melville, no less, formed a mutual admiration society and the latter’s “John Marr and Other Sailors” bears the dedication “To W.C.R.”

From Washington Post ● Jul. 14, 2020

On “My Way,” the prolific Texan swings and croons through 11 songs associated with Frank Sinatra, with whom he formed an unlikely and undeniable mutual admiration society.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 11, 2018

I have a job to do and will not get very far forward as one half of a mutual admiration society.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove