Teacher's pet
Meaning: A student who is perceived as the teacher's favorite, often because they try hard to please the teacher.
Being called the teacher's pet is usually an insult from classmates. It implies the student sucks up to the teacher, always raises their hand, and gets preferential treatment. The phrase is deeply embedded in American school culture and is universally understood.
Examples
- She always sits in the front row and brings the teacher coffee — total teacher's pet. 她总是坐第一排还给老师带咖啡——典型的老师宠儿。Siempre se sienta en primera fila y le lleva café al profesor: es el típico pelota.彼女はいつも最前列に座って先生にコーヒーを持ってくる——完全に先生のお気に入りだ。그녀는 항상 맨 앞줄에 앉고 선생님한테 커피를 가져다줘 — 완전 선생님 애완동물이야.
- Don't be such a teacher's pet. It's okay to disagree with the professor. 别那么拍老师马屁了。跟教授有不同意见也没关系。No seas tan pelota. Está bien discrepar con el profesor.そんなに先生に媚びるなよ。教授に反論しても大丈夫だよ。그렇게 선생님한테 아부하지 마. 교수님한테 반대 의견을 내도 괜찮아.
- I got called teacher's pet just because I actually did my homework. 我只不过认真做了作业,就被叫成老师的宠儿了。Me llamaron el enchufado del profesor solo porque hice los deberes.宿題をちゃんとやっただけなのに、先生のお気に入りって言われた。숙제를 제대로 했을 뿐인데 선생님 애완동물이라고 불렸어.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: school, teasing, social dynamics
Tone: teasing, slightly derogatory
✓ Do Say
- She's such a teacher's pet.她就是个老师的宠儿。Es el pelota del profesor.彼女は完全に先生のお気に入りだ。그녀는 완전 선생님 애완동물이야.
- Nobody likes a teacher's pet.没人喜欢老师的宠儿。A nadie le cae bien un pelota.先生のお気に入りは誰にも好かれない。아무도 선생님 애완동물을 좋아하지 않아.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't use as a compliment — it's always mildly negative不要当作夸奖使用——这个说法总是带有轻微的贬义No uses como cumplido: siempre tiene una connotación ligeramente negativa褒め言葉として使わない——常に軽い否定的ニュアンスがある칭찬으로 사용하지 말 것 — 항상 약간 부정적인 의미이다
Origin & History
American expression dating to the early 20th century. Compares a favored student to a household pet, suggesting the teacher treats them with special affection.
Cultural Context
Era: Early 20th century
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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