Social Climbing

noun excessive or insincere praise

• The practice of apple polishing is frowned upon in academic settings.
• Stop apple polishing and just be yourself around your boss.
• I heard she got that promotion by apple polishing the manager.
• His constant compliments felt like apple polishing to win her favor.

adjective Sycophantic is an adjective that describes someone who acts obsequiously towards someone important in order to gain advantage.

• The sycophantic behavior of the employees towards the boss was quite evident during the meeting.
• I can't stand that sycophantic guy who always agrees with everything the boss says.
• Stop being so sycophantic, it's annoying.
• Her sycophantic attitude towards the popular kids in school was like a moth to a flame.

noun a person who seeks to associate with famous or successful people in order to gain attention or fame

• The tabloids accused her of being a fame digger after her relationship with the famous actor.
• I heard she's just a fame digger looking to get close to celebrities.
• She's always hanging around famous people, what a fame digger.
• In the world of social media, everyone is trying to be a fame digger in their own way.