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Region: US | Usage example: She earned brownie points by covering for the team.

Brownie points

Meaning

Informal credit for good deeds.

Usage

Used when describing extra praise.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Often said to refer to credits earned by Brownie Girl Guides or Scouts, but this is unproven.

An American expression of the 20th century.