From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpay court to somebodypay court to somebodyATTENTION old-fashioned to give someone a lot of attention to try and make them like you → court
Examples from the Corpus
pay court to somebody• Elton had paid court to Miss Smith for a month, but had made no progress.pay court (to somebody)pay court (to somebody)old-fashioned to treat someone, especially a woman, carefully and with respect, so that they will like you or help you → pay 