cobber up
C1 slang intransitive
In simple words
To become good friends with someone, especially a new friend.
Literal meaning: 'Cobber' (Australian slang for a mate) + 'up' (forming a connection) — literally 'to friend up' with someone.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
slang
To become close friends with someone; to bond with a person.
"The two soldiers cobbed up during their first week at training camp and remained lifelong friends."
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1
idiomatic
slang
To pair up with someone for a shared activity or task.
"We'd better cobber up before the hike — it's safer to go in pairs."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Highly regional; used almost exclusively in Australian English. 'Cobber' is an old-fashioned Australian word for a close friend. The phrase is informal and somewhat dated, more common among older speakers.
Commonly used with
mate bloke stranger workmate
Forms
Base
cobber up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cobbers up
he/she/it
Past simple
cobbered up
yesterday
Past participle
cobbered up
have + pp
-ing form
cobbering up
continuous
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