Brownie point


noun Informal.

a credit toward advancement or good standing gained especially by currying favor.

Origin of Brownie point

First recorded in 1960–65; from the point system based on good behavior and performance used by Brownies for advancement

British Dictionary definitions for brownie points

Brownie point

noun

a notional mark to one's credit earned for being seen to do the right thing

Word Origin for Brownie point

C20: from the mistaken notion that Brownie Guides earn points for good deeds

Idioms and Phrases with brownie points

brownie points

Credit for a good deed, as in John earned a lot of brownie points for doing his boss's report for him. The term originated with the points earned for various achievements by the youngest group of the Girl Scouts, called Brownies. In the mid-1900s it was transferred to general use.