FLATTER

[verb] [T] - to make (someone) feel or appear important, attractive or pleased, esp. by praising themHis remarks about her new dress flattered her.I knew he was only flattering me (= praising me without being sincere) because he wanted to borrow some money.Short skirts don't flatter me (= do not make me look attractive) at all.You're flattering yourself if you think (= You are wrong to think that) she'll go out with you.Clive flatters himself (= is proud of the fact) that he never forgets a name. [+ object + that clause]I flatter myself on (= take pride in) always paying bills on time.To flatter to deceive is to give the appearance of being better than the true situation.The figures flatter to deceive - only one in five of these new jobs is genuine full-time employment, most are part-time or seasonal.