Definition: The performative act of showering a new partner with exaggerated, saccharine-sweet affection (“puppy-dog” eyes, cutesy nicknames, constant doting) purely to manipulate or disarm them, while secretly viewing kindness as weakness and planning an eventual cold exit.
It’s emotional cosplay—acting like an adoring, devoted partner to win trust and create a false sense of security. Once hooked, the “puppy-dog” facade drops, revealing a selfish core where your needs are ignored or mocked, and leaving feels like discarding a toy they’re bored with.
Example: He laid on the “sweetheart” and “angel” nicknames thick, constantly bringing coffee and gifts, a calculated performance to disarm her before vanishing.
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Suddenly, her texts were ignored and her needs mocked; the once-adoring boyfriend had discarded her like a broken toy he was bored with.