Time-serving

n. An obsequious compliance with the spirit of the times, or the humors of men in power, which implies a surrender of one's independence, and sometimes of one's integrity.

Synonyms— Temporizing. — TIME-SERVING, TEMPORIZING. Both these words are applied to the conduct of one who adapts himself servilely to times and seasons. A time-server is rather active, and a temporizer, passive. One whose policy is time-serving comes forward to act upon principles or opinions which may promote his advancement; one who is temporizing yields to the current of public sentiment or prejudice, and shrinks from a course of action which might injure him with others. The former is dishonest; the latter is weak; and both are contemptible.

Trimming and time-serving, which are but two words for the same thing, always produce confusion. South.

I pronounce thee a hovering temporizer, that Canst with thine eyes at once see good and evil, Inclining to them both. Shak.