good graces meaning: definition, quotations

good graces

noun

Idiomatic Favorable regard; personal approval; kindly treatment.

[H]e had insinuated himself into the good graces of an ancient and rich burgomaster, and, by his handsome person and graceful manners, captivated the affections of his only child.1831, Sir Walter Scott, My Aunt Margaret's Mirror:
[T]he twins' charm of manner and easy and polished bearing made speedy conquest of the family's good graces.1897, Mark Twain [pseudonym; Samuel Langhorne Clemens], “[Pudd’nhead Wilson] Chapter 6”, in The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson: And the Comedy Those Extraordinary Twins, Hartford, Conn.: American Publishing Company, →OCLC, page 77:

4 more examples

David had, in the space of an hour, captured Mrs. Williamson's heart, wormed himself into the good graces of Timothy, and become hail-fellow-well-met with old Robert.1910, Lucy Maud Montgomery, chapter 16, in Kilmeny of the Orchard:
Calpurnia appeared in the front door and yelled, “Lemonade time! You all get in outa that hot sun ‘fore you fry alive!” Lemonade in the middle of the morning was a summertime ritual. Calpurnia set a pitcher and three glasses on the porch, then went about her business. Being out of Jem’s good graces did not worry me especially. Lemonade would restore his good humor.1960 July 11, Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, Philadelphia, Pa.; New York, N.Y.: J[oshua] B[allinger] Lippincott Company, →OCLC:
That has prompted leaders of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association to threaten to withhold support for the Mayor's re-election bid. "He's not in our good graces now," said Louis Matarazzo, the P.B.A. president. "We're not endorsing anyone now."1996 February 6, Clifford Krauss, “New York's Thin, Angry Blue Line”, in New York Times, retrieved 26 Dec 2012:
Joe Lieberman has never been shy about speaking his mind […], leaving his fate as chairman of the Homeland Security Committee and member of the Democratic caucus to depend on the good graces of Senate Democrats.2008 November 18, Jay Newton-Small, “Why the Democrats — and Obama — Forgave Lieberman”, in Time, archived from the original on 01 Jan 2013: