good graces pl (plural only)
- (idiomatic) Favorable regard; personal approval; kindly treatment.
1831, Sir Walter Scott, My Aunt Margaret's Mirror:[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.
1894, Mark Twain, chapter 6, in The Tragedy of Pudd'Nhead Wilson:[T]he twins' charm of manner and easy and polished bearing made speedy conquest of the family's good graces.
1910, Lucy Maud Montgomery, chapter 16, in Kilmeny of the Orchard: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.
1996 February 6, Clifford Krauss, “New York's Thin, Angry Blue Line”, in New York Times, retrieved 26 December 2012: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."
2008 November 18, Jay Newton-Small, “Why the Democrats — and Obama — Forgave Lieberman”, in Time: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.
- Now often found in the phrase "in [someone's] good graces" or "into [someone's] good graces".
