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A common saying that you may head frequently in the English language is ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.’ We are going to look at what this saying means and how we can use it in our day to day conversation. We will also look at the history of the phrase and where it first came from.
Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Flattery
“Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Flattery” Meaning
When someone says that ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’ they are saying that if someone copies you, they are paying you the highest compliment.
Origin of the idiom
The term ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’ originally came from a man called Charles Caleb Colton who was the first to write the phrase in 1820.
“Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Flattery” Examples
Examples in Statements
This is a statement made by one friend to another.
- ‘I know you don’t like her copying your hairstyle but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.’
Here is a statement made in a news report.
- ‘The copy cat killer said that he committed the murders as an homage to the original killer, he insisted that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.’
Conversation Examples
You might be curious as to how the term ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’ can work in a conversation, if that is the case, here are some examples.
The conversation is being held between two friends.
- Person 1: “I am so tired of Sarah wearing the same outfit as me wherever we go.”
- Person 2: “You should take it as a compliment.”
- Person 1: “Well they do say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”
Other Ways to Say the Phrase
There are many other ways in which you can express the meaning of the phrase ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.’
Here are some examples of other things you can say that carry the same meaning.
- Imitation is admiration
- Mimicry is the sincerest form of flattery
- Copying is a compliment
- Copying is an admiration
- Imitation is a compliment
Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Flattery | Picture
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