cupboard love

noun

a personal attachment that appears to be motivated by love but in fact stems from the hope of gain.

cupboard love

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First recorded in 1750–60

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Examples have not been reviewed.

I’m someone whose “love language” is often wrapped up with food, so cupboard love does not strike a particularly false note with me.

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Ancient Greeks had no word for cupboard love, but, undoubtedly, this is a love the vast majority of animal pets may feel for us.

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Something that intrigues us pet owners is whether our animals feel “cupboard love” for us—or real love.

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He has a cupboard love for Sarah, but I think that his affection for me is simon-pure.

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So no one could accuse Dolls of cupboard love.

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