a credit toward advancement or good standing gained especially by currying favor.
Origin
1960-65; from the point system based on good behavior and performance used by Brownies for advancement
British Dictionary definitions for brownie points
Brownie point
noun
1.
a notional mark to one's credit earned for being seen to do the right thing
Word Origin
C20: from the mistaken notion that Brownie Guides earn points for good deeds
Slang definitions & phrases for brownie points
Brownie points
noun phrase
A fancied unit of credit and approval: I'll get Brownie points for helping him/ a place where you get big shiny brownie points, cash, sex, and adulation
[1960s+; fr merit points awarded to Brownies toward promotion to Junior Girl Scouts]
Idioms and Phrases with brownie points
brownie points
Credit for a good deed, as in John earned a lot of brownie points for doing his boss's report for him. The term originated with the points earned for various achievements by the youngest group of the Girl Scouts, called Brownies. In the mid-1900s it was transferred to general use.