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cosy up to

B2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words

To try to get close to someone important so they will like you and help you.

Literal meaning: To make oneself cosy (comfortable/close) toward someone.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To try to become close to or friendly with someone, especially someone powerful, in order to gain advantage.

"He's been cosying up to the new director ever since he heard about the promotions."

Grammar: inseparable
2 C1 idiomatic neutral

(Of countries, organizations, or political entities) To seek closer relations or alignment with another party, often for strategic benefit.

"The small nation has been cosying up to its wealthy neighbor in hopes of securing trade agreements."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Often used with a slightly negative or suspicious connotation — it implies that the friendliness is strategic rather than genuine. Used in both political and personal contexts. The American spelling is 'cozy up to.' Common in journalism when describing political alliances.

Commonly used with

boss power politician investor celebrity influential

Forms

Base
cosy up to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cosies up to
he/she/it
Past simple
cosied up to
yesterday
Past participle
cosied up to
have + pp
-ing form
cosying up to
continuous

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Synonyms

ingratiate oneself with curry favor with suck up to butter up get close to cultivate

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