1.
currying favor; flattery; trying to please someone; buttering up
The act of trying to get on someone's good side or put them in a good mood, often through flattery or excessive agreeableness. Can also refer to the person who does this.
上司の機嫌取りをする。
To butter up one's boss.
機嫌取りばかりしている人は信用されない。
People who are always trying to curry favor aren't trusted.
プレゼントを買ってきたのは機嫌取りだと見え見えだった。
It was obvious that buying the present was just an attempt to get back in her good graces.
Composed of 機嫌 (mood, humor) + 取り (taking, winning). Takes する: 機嫌取りをする (to try to please someone). Often has a negative connotation, implying insincerity or self-serving motives. Related expressions: 機嫌を取る (to try to please), 機嫌を伺う (to gauge someone's mood — more neutral), ご機嫌取り (same meaning, slightly more emphatic with the honorific ご). Similar to 胡麻すり (brown-nosing) and お世辞 (flattery).