flatter those in power(/in the ascendant/who get the upper hand) ❍ 有些～的，亦就一口一声的观察。(李宝嘉《官场现形记》三十五)Some people who liked to flatter those in power also kept on saying so while observing.
扯顺风旗chě shùn fēnɡ qí
多指靠阿谀奉承拍马屁而得势的家伙。start an undertaking at an opportune moment-flattery and achieve one’s own aims, flatter those in power